Introduction
Located atop Mingus Mountain near Prescott, Arizona, the Harold and Mitzie James 4-H Camp & Outdoor Learning Center sits on 55 acres of forested Ponderosa Pine at around 6,500 feet elevation. As a fully accredited facility of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, the camp offers immersive outdoor education, youth development programs, and retreats. Until recently, electricity came almost exclusively from diesel generators—which ran up to 20 hours a day, causing noise, fuel costs, and frequent power interruption.
The Challenge
For decades, the camp relied almost entirely on diesel-powered generators, running up to 20 hours a day. This not only produced noise and pollution but also limited electricity to when the generators were operating. Outages were part of daily life, disrupting water pumping, lighting, and basic operations. Maintaining these generators required constant human attention—checking them at 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.—which was especially challenging in a facility that operates 24/7. The labor costs and physical demands of keeping the system running were significant. As the camp sought to expand its services and reduce its environmental footprint, its outdated energy system became a major obstacle.
Why Pytes
Seamless integration with Sol-Ark inverters: closed-loop communication simplifies system management and ensures optimal performance.
Trusted and certified: Pytes batteries carry UL9540, UL1973, and UL9540A certifications, ensuring safety and reliability.
Endorsed by local partners: installation partner NAZ Solar Electric confirms Pytes provides the best combination of price, quality, and long-term reliability compared to alternatives.
Scalable and future-ready: modular design allows easy expansion as camp needs grow.
The System Configuration：
Solar Panels: 90 × 530 W (~50 kW)
Batteries: 30 × Pytes V5 lithium batteries
Inverters: 3 × Sol-Ark 15k hybrid inverters
Replaced the old diesel generator setup, tripling the camp’s available power output from 15 kW to 45 kW.
The Outcome
For the first time in its history, the James 4H Camp now enjoys 24/7 reliable electricity—without noise, without pollution, and without diesel. The upgrade tripled its available power capacity, enabling:
A better experience for over 100 guests and staff.
Reliable water pumping, refrigeration, and lighting.
Expansion of services and events, from education programs to weddings.
This project marks a transformational milestone for the camp: a shift from 70 years of generator reliance to a future of sustainable, uninterrupted solar power.
