1. Project Overview

This project is located in Ghana, Africa, and serves as a commercial demonstration site integrating solar power generation, battery energy storage, and electric vehicle charging. Designed for EV charging operations, the station has become a regional showcase for clean-energy applications.

The local utility transformer has a capacity of only 120 kVA. Due to limited grid capacity and frequent power outages, the existing grid supply cannot support all charging stations operating at full power, significantly restricting the station’s charging capacity and operational efficiency.

To address both insufficient grid capacity and unreliable power supply, the customer selected our 125 kW/261 kWh battery energy storage cabinet, combined with an STS static transfer switch and a photovoltaic carport system.

Under normal grid conditions, the solar system, battery storage system, and utility grid operate together to support the charging equipment at full power. In the event of a grid outage, the system completes the transition from grid-connected to off-grid operation within one second. High-power DC fast chargers are temporarily shut down, while the system continues supplying power to AC charging equipment for approximately 5–8 hours, ensuring that essential charging services remain available.

2. Project Details

2.1 Application

This project is a typical commercial application of an integrated solar-storage-EV charging system.

The charging station in Ghana faced three major challenges:

• High peak charging demand
• Limited local grid capacity
• Unreliable utility power supply

Relying solely on the utility grid could not support all charging equipment operating simultaneously. A conventional transformer-capacity upgrade would have required substantial investment and a lengthy construction and approval process.

The photovoltaic carport generates clean electricity directly at the site, while the battery energy storage system supplements the grid during periods of high charging demand. The system also provides rapid emergency switching during grid outages.

This solution supports full-load charging operations under normal conditions while maintaining essential charging services during power interruptions. It reduces dependence on utility electricity, lowers operating costs, and is particularly suitable for commercial EV charging stations in African regions with weak or unstable power grids.

3. Key Project Advantages

3.1 Overcomes Grid Capacity Limitations

The 125 kW/261 kWh energy storage system supplements the limited utility supply, enabling the charging station to operate reliably despite the restricted capacity of the existing 120 kVA transformer.

3.2 Coordinated Solar, Storage, and Grid Operation

The photovoltaic system, battery storage system, and utility grid work together intelligently to support charging demand. This increases the use of clean solar energy and reduces electricity purchased from the grid.

3.3 Continuous Operation During Power Outages

The STS enables rapid grid-connected and off-grid switching. During an outage, the system can continue supplying AC charging equipment for approximately 5–8 hours, ensuring that essential charging services remain operational.

3.4 Lower Infrastructure and Operating Costs

The solution avoids the high cost and long implementation period associated with upgrading the utility transformer. Solar self-consumption, peak-load support, and energy storage also help reduce the station’s long-term electricity and operating expenses.