Green Engineering

In the world of remote power customers want to be green but they need to have reliability. That's where GPT's version of green engineering comes in.

It is important to understand that the GlobalSolarHybrid is not carbon free — in order to maximize reliability we use a small thermoelectric generator to back-up the primary photovoltaic system. Our back-up will consume some natural gas or propane when in operation. It's impact, however, is minimal, as the thermoelectric generator is the secondary power source and only used when the photovoltaic system falters. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide produced is quite small. In fact, for a 100W system in Fort McMurray, the amount of carbon dioxide produced is approximately 10% of what a propane-fired internal combustion generator would produce.

We understand the desire to have green systems operating in remote locations. We have learned from companies that approach us that it can be difficult, and expensive, to make a highly reliable solar only system (see figure below). Depending on where the system is placed it may need upgrades to achieve 99% reliability. To put things in perspective, a 99% reliable system will not deliver power 1% of the time — over a year that equates to 3.65 days! Can you afford to have your equipment down for that long? For critical power installations, most companies say this level of reliability is unacceptable. A GlobalSolarHybrid allows customers to be environmentally-conscious, keep cost reasonable and increase reliability to 99%+. Does this equation work for you? See how it works.

"The GlobalSolarHybrid systems have cut the fuel expense by more than half. I would say that by the time I complete this two-year project, the equipment will have paid for itself, and then we can go forth to other projects, with the only cost being about $1,000 a year in propane."

Mary King, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
 
POWER FACT
A GlobalSolarHybrid can extend maintenance intervals to up to one year.