ELM MicroGrid’s project in the Bahamas was selected as Microgrid of the Year at the 6th annual Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) Industry Awards in Miami.
The solar microgrid constructed on a private Exuma Cay in the Bahamas was done with a partnership of ELM, Solar Island Energy, Bahamas Energy and Solar, and Azimuth Energy. The Exuma Cay project comprises 1.6 MW in solar power and 5 MWh in energy storage capacity.
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The solar microgrid works in connection with the island’s existing diesel power plant and could offset 93 percent of that fuel burned annually to make electricity, according to the ELM and Solar Island Energy release about the award.
“We are incredibly proud to contribute to this project,” ELM MicroGrid and ELM Solar President Aron Bowman said in a statement. “The success of this and similar projects acknowledged at the CREF awards underscores the growing interest in microgrid and solar initiatives in the Caribbean.”
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The elimination of constant diesel generator runtime reduces fuel consumption as well as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and nitrogen oxide emissions. Overall, it could reduce 63,000 metric tons of lifetime carbon emission equivalent by running on solar and battery-electricity as opposed to the diesel, according to the release.
