1. Project Overview

This project is located at the Guinea aluminum mine camp. Given the absence of grid power and limited construction space at the camp, the project employs five 200kWp photovoltaic folding containers and ten 215kWh energy storage cabinets to maximize solar power generation and ensure a reliable electricity supply for the camp.

1. Project Details

Application

This project plans to construct an off-grid photovoltaic-storage system to meet the electricity needs of the Guinea aluminum ore camp.

Guinea has abundant solar resources, with an annual horizontal total radiation of 2,010.1 kWh/m² in the project area. Monthly radiation levels vary little, and according to the solar resource richness classification table in meteorological industry standards, the region is classified as the most resource-rich (Grade A) area, making it suitable for the construction of photovoltaic power generation systems.

Installed Capacity  

The project is equipped with 5 units of 206.4 kWp photovoltaic foldable containers, with a total installed capacity of 1,032 kWp (i.e., 1 MWp).

Main Equipment  

40-foot containers: 5 units of 200 kWp 40-foot high-cube containers with a protection rating of C4.

Photovoltaic inverters: 10 100kW off-grid photovoltaic inverters are provided, each with built-in MPPT to ensure optimal power generation efficiency.

Energy storage cabinets: 10 215kWh energy storage cabinets.

Auxiliary traction equipment: Integrated into the container to assist in the deployment of photovoltaic panels.

1. Project Advantages

Flexible deployment, saving land area:

Photovoltaic folding containers offer advantages such as modular deployment, flexible installation, and broad applicability. Due to limited land area at the campsite, this project cannot be installed on the ground like conventional fixed-mount systems. The photovoltaic folding containers address this limitation by arranging five units of 200kWp containers in two or three rows, saving land and accommodating potential relocation needs in mining areas. They can also be deployed quickly, reducing construction timelines.

Reduced maintenance and operational costs:

Featuring a maintenance-free design and an integrated structure that minimizes mechanical components (such as the drive system of non-tracking mounts), the failure rate is reduced by over 50%. As a result, annual operational costs amount to just 30%-50% of those for fixed mount systems.

The system is easy to clean, as the components can be folded for cleaning without the need to climb the mounts, resulting in a 40%-60% reduction in labor costs.

Scalability and economic benefits:

Multiple containers can be used in parallel, with power capacity scalable from 10 kW to 1 MW, suitable for phased construction or projects with changing requirements.

Although initial costs are slightly higher, the increase in power generation (5%-15%) and land savings can shorten the payback period to 0.4-1 years.

Environmental adaptability and safety:

When folded, the system can withstand extreme weather conditions such as strong winds and sandstorms. For example, during a tropical storm in a mining area in Guinea, the components can be quickly retracted to avoid damage.

The containers are made of galvanized steel or composite materials, offering superior corrosion resistance compared to traditional supports, with a lifespan extended to over 30 years.