Overview
System type: Off-grid, battery-based microhydro-electric with PV
System location: Victoria, Australia
Site head: 1.8 m (6 ft.)
Hydro resource: 125 liters/second (30 gal./second), dry season; 190 liters/second (50 gal./second), wet season
Hydro production: 252 KWH per month ave., dry season; 291 KWH per month ave., wet season
Solar resource: 4.7 ave. daily peak sun-hours
PV system production: 45 KWH per month ave.
Hydro Turbine
Turbine: Energy Systems & Design LH1000, low-head propeller
Runner diameter: 5 in.
Alternator: Brushless permanent magnet
Rated peak power output: 1 KW
Hydro Balance of System
Hydro turbine controller: AERL Maximizer
Dump load: Two 400 W heat coils (resistors)
Inverter: Solar Energy Australia 2500, 24 VDC nominal input, 220 VAC, 50 Hz sine wave output
Circuit protection: 30 A breaker
System performance metering: Plasmatronics PL20
Photovoltaics
Modules: Sharp, ND-L3EJE, 123 W STC, 17.2 Vmp, 12 VDC nominal
Array: Two, two-module series strings, 492 W STC total, 34.4 Vmp, 24 VDC nominal
Array disconnect: 40 A breaker
Array installation: Homemade steel mount installed on north-facing roof, 48-degree tilt
PV Balance of System
Charge controller: Plasmatronics PL40, 40 A, PWM, 12–48 VDC nominal input and output voltage
Inverter: Solar Energy Australia 2500, 2.5 KW, 24 VDC nominal input, 240 VAC, 50 Hz output
System performance metering: Plasmatronics PL20
Energy Storage
Batteries: Lucent 1AVR 2/85-75L, 2 V nominal, 1,200 AH, sealed, valve-regulated lead acid (used telephone co. batteries)
Battery bank: One, 12-battery string, 24 VDC nominal, 1,200 AH total
