{"id":24154,"date":"2022-02-18T09:43:23","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T07:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.victronenergy.com\/blog\/?p=24154"},"modified":"2022-02-18T12:53:48","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T10:53:48","slug":"first-nation-community-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.victronenergy.com\/blog\/2022\/02\/18\/first-nation-community-building\/","title":{"rendered":"First Nation Community Building"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunchild First Nation Outdoor Education Centre<\/em> – set amidst the Canadian plains of Alberta – has been built as a meeting place and educational facility for the people of the Sunchild Band.<\/p>\n

The Elders’ aim for the facility is that:\u00a0Through traditional knowledge, language, education and strong leadership, Sunchild First Nation will create a healthy and safe future for its peoples.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div><\/p>\n

In the past the log cabin buildings had no power at all – not even a generator. But now, with the addition of a modern new timber building a solar-based energy system has also been installed to serve the whole facility.<\/p>\n

CBI Solar<\/a> designed and built the 10kW system using a new product of ours called the VE Panel – more of which in a minute.<\/p>\n

The Education Centre installation provides power for lighting, the kitchen and water supply – together with ‘Streetlighting’ which allows outdoor activities to continue after dark; and a security camera is also in operation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

10kWp of ground-mounted bi-facial Solar Panels take full advantage of the brilliant winter sun dazzling onto the snow which covers the ground for months during the winter.<\/p>\n

Two SmartSolar MPPT<\/a> 250\/85 Solar Charge Controllers harvest the power and store it in a Pylontech battery bank with a total capacity of around 26kWh. Power is provided to loads by two Quattro<\/a> 48\/5000\/70 Inverter\/Chargers – which will also charge the batteries from a backup diesel generator.<\/p>\n

Internet is available on site allowing the system to be monitored remotely using the Victron Remote Management VRM<\/a> portal; and locally via a GX Touch 50<\/a>. Overall system control is provided by a Cerbo GX<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

VE Panel<\/h4>\n

A really tidy feature of the installation is its use of safety enclosures – known as a VE Panels.<\/p>\n

VE Panels\u00a0are available in North America to provide a ventilated pre-wired DIN rail enclosure which securely houses all circuit breakers and exposed wiring terminals. The VE Panel Enclosure and components are UL\/CSA certified and designated for indoor use. The unit is designed for 3kVA and 5kVA MultiPlus and Quattro Inverter\/Chargers, and helps installers in America and Canada to complete safe and tidy installations.<\/p>\n

\"\"

VE Panels make it easy to build systems in your workshop, and then take them to the customer’s site.<\/p><\/div>\n

The prewired, DIN rail enclosure attaches to the Inverter\/Charger and includes an AC bypass switch; DC disconnect breakers; AC DC breakers for over current protection; Bus bars; and a standard 500A shunt – which can be upgraded to the Victron SmartShunt 500A<\/a>. Knockout panels in the casing allow cables access to suit the installation. More information about using the VE Panel can be found in the product manual.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h4>\n

CBI Solar<\/h4>\n

CBI Solar is a crucial member of Watts Projects Inc – a family owned company established in 1996 and based in Red Deer, Alberta.<\/p>\n

In 2019 CBI Solar completed Canada’s largest (1.55MW) roof-top grid-tie project at Genesis Place – a municipal recreational facility in Airdrie, Alberta; and have since expanded their Utility-scale; Commercial; Off-grid and Mobile solar business across Western Canada.<\/p>\n

CBI Solar and Watts Projects Inc. work with First Nation communities across Western Canada.<\/p>\n

Let’s take a look inside one of the Sunchild First Nation community buildings courtesy of Luke Pasishnik<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n