Schneider Electric today launched a new industrial-class solar microgrid, a containerized, transportable plug & play, transportable unit.
Called Villaya, the microgrid was unveiled at the 2018 Schneider Electric Annual Innovation Summit in Paris, which is expected to draw 4,000 visitors.
Schneider describes the new solar microgrid as a product that overcomes the challenges of traditional solar installations, such as tying up land use for 20 years, creating long order-to-activation cycles, and requiring on-site construction crews and high upfront capital.
Customers can quickly deploy Villaya and have a fully operating solar microgrid that produces power in off-grid environments. The solution is designed for critical applications including emergency response, humanitarian/NGO programs, rural electrification, remote mining and construction sites, remote islands and at military defense facilities.
“By integrating some of today’s most advanced mobile solar technologies, Schneider Electric is able to deliver solar power generated electricity on the go… anywhere, giving us a first mover advantage in helping to improve people’s lives around the world,” says Olivier Jacquet, Schneider Electric’s global account manager for refugees, emergency & war sustainability development.
The solar microgrid will use PWRstation’s retractable solar racking technology.
“Villaya is a perfect example of PWRstation’s retractable EXOractm racking technology in action,” said Gianfranco Albertella, PWRstation chief commercial officer. “The ability to retract a 120 solar panel, re-deployable microgrids in a matter of minutes to produce 135 kWp of electricity is about to become the standard for off-grid applications.”
The solar microgrid technology is designed largely for commercial use. But both Schneider and PWRstation say they are deeply committed to also serving the humanitarian and emergency sectors. The team partner with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in providing various solutions to refugee camps throughout the world.
Join us May 7-9 in Chicago for Microgrid 2018, where Schneider Electric will participate in a special on-stage interview, “Growing Microgrid Markets by Reducing Risk for Customers,” with The Carlyle Group and Dynamic Energy Networks, Tuesday, May 8 at 2:20 p.m.
