Electricity at the highest places

The Andes, 7,000 km long, between 200 to 700 km wide and an average height of about 4,000 meters. With these dimensions it is no wonder the Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world and the highest mountain range outside Asia. Copiapo is located in Northern Chile, in the Andes, where mining is the largest economic activity. Even at a remote location like Copiapo, electricity is essential.

The images on this page illustrate the installation. The top image shows the Victron MultiPlus 48/5000, BMV battery monitor and BlueSolar charge controller MPPT 150/70.

The image below shows the complete installation, including the solar panels.

Always energy regardless of weather conditions At this remote site, situated 3,900 meters above sea level, a mining camp is located where over 30 miners and camp officials live permanently. As the staff work in three shifts, 24 hours a day, permanent electricity is mandatory for their well-being. TRITEC-Intervento SpA, is a Victron Energy reseller and developer of solar photovoltaic projects in Chile. Using the latest technology, TRITEC-Intervento implemented a solar photovoltaic system on a trailer to provide a permanent electricity supply to the mining camp. This system is strikingly named sun-trailer. It powers a section of the mining camp that is always energized regardless of weather conditions.

AppliancesA variety of equipment and facilities such as the cafeteria, kitchen equipment, lighting, 50” satellite TV, playroom, bathroom area, aerator and sewage water pump are dependent on the system. Additionally cameras, computers and telecommunications systems such as telephony and wireless are also depending on this system.

Reliable in demanding conditionsDelivering a system to such a remote location is not easy. The sun-trailer was first assembled in Santiago, Chile. After assembly, it was towed over 1,000 kilometers through the Andean terrain, where it arrived at the Copiapo.

As many of the facilities are dependent on the sun-trailer, the design, components and configuration of the system needed to be highly reliable and suitable for this demanding environment.This project represents an important milestone in the development of the Chilean photovoltaic market. It also demonstrates the acceptance of a highly reliable technology in demanding conditions, such as those found in the Chilean mining sector.

Victron Energy equipmentTRITEC-Intervento used the MultiPlus inverter/charger at the heart of the system. It auto-starts a diesel generator when the consumption is very high. Like for example on cold nights when it needs to energize the electric heating system. The PV system consists of 20 monocrystalline panels of 195Wp, 20 AGM 12V/110Ah batteries, a BlueSolar charge controller MPPT 150/70, a MultiPlus 48V/5000VA and a BMV-700 battery monitor.

Energy. Anytime. Anywhere. www.victronenergy.com