Enerwhere has designed a mobile solar-plus-storage installation for off-grid locations such as oil and gas fields and construction sites. It can be adapted to different needs and is scalable for megawatt-scale projects.

Dubai-based solar developer Enerwhere Sustainable Energy DMCC has designed a solar cell container solution for off-grid applications in remote locations or construction sites.

The company says the mobile unit can be moved and redeployed every two weeks and can be set up in as little as two hours.

A company spokesperson told pv magazine: “We custom designed the trailer and assembled the battery cart and foldable solar cells ourselves. This containerized solution is ideal for oil fields, races, emergency power in disaster areas, agriculture and Construction."

The company uses batteries from Germany's Alpha ESS and 370 W solar modules from Chinese manufacturer GCL Integrated Technology Co., Ltd. The panel has a power conversion efficiency of 19.1% and a temperature coefficient of -0.33% per degree Celsius. They weigh 22.2kg and measure 1965mm x 992mm x 35mm.

The company is currently testing the system in Oman with a PV capacity of 74 kW and an energy storage capacity of 50 kWh. According to EnerWhere, it can run for 8 to 10 hours on 100% renewable energy.

"The hybrid system is currently operating at 50 per cent renewable energy penetration for 24 hours and is expected to increase over time," the spokesman said.

The mobile unit also incorporates an energy management system, Enlite Microgrid Control. It relies on historical databases, operational data and machine learning to predict load profiles and optimize on-site generation assets.

The spokesperson said: “We are a temporary electricity provider that sells energy on a kWh basis, but do not sell these units. There are no capital expenditure requirements for the client. The solution is also adaptable to different needs and scalable for megawatt-scale projects.”

Enerwhere recently launched a business model suitable for construction site solar projects. This approach is based on short-term power purchase agreements that allow mobile PV installations to be moved from one construction site to another.