Solar Microgrids

Solar microgrids are increasing in popularity worldwide for improving energy access to people living in off-grid, remote areas. Community based and backed, microgrids are able to provide clean, reliable and efficient service – previously unimagined – in many underdeveloped areas around the world.

Energy Systems was instrumental in establishing the first solar microgrid power plant in Sandwip, Bangladesh. Working in association with Prokaushali Sangsad Ltd. of Bangladesh and Asantys Systems of Germany, the 100KW power plant was Bangladesh’s largest single solar facility at the time of installation in 2010.

Sandwip is an island  at the confluence of River Brahmaputra and Bay of Bengal, difficult to access from mainland Bangladesh and devoid of any modern infrastructure. The national power grid is well beyond reach. Surrounded by banana plants and ponds, this state-of-the-art solar microgrid now caters to more than 400 customers at the Sandwip market.

Alongside this successful turnkey project, Energy Systems has done many international consultancies in rural electrification projects using renewables. Click here for the full list of partners and projects.

Consumers include a cooperative bank, the local police station, hotels and commercial shops.  The clean electricity is used to power computers, lights, fans and other appliances. It is fully self-operated, providing direct power from the solar modules for daytime use, and reliable energy storage for the night.

Technology: The Sunny Island inverters are bidirectional inverters connected to the batteries and the modules. They also control overall system performance. Grid tied inverters are dedicated solar inverters that produce 220V and supply directly to the 3 phase grid line.