The Alto Cohen School is located in the remote Alto de Talamanca region, an indigenous community in Costa Rica, where access is extremely difficult due to challenging terrain. The area does not have an established electrical grid, making it impossible for the local population to rely on conventional power sources. The school, previously housed in a basic thatched hut, now stands as a symbol of progress for the community. It will provide quality education and support local development, becoming an important hub for the children and families in the region.
This project not only provides the school with much-needed electricity but also highlights the growing efforts to bring sustainable energy solutions to rural and underserved communities in Costa Rica.
Due to the school's remote location and lack of access to the national power grid, providing a reliable, sustainable, and off-grid energy solution became a key challenge. The community has faced issues such as:
i) Unreliable power: Lack of an electrical grid meant the school couldn't operate modern equipment or provide essential services to the students.
ii) Difficult terrain: Accessing the school is challenging, especially during rainy seasons, requiring vehicles capable of crossing multiple rivers.
iii) Local infrastructure: The school was originally housed in a simple thatched structure, needing significant improvements in terms of energy and facilities to support modern education.
The community needed a reliable off-grid power solution to support the new school and its educational goals, while also promoting sustainable development.
To overcome the challenges of operating off the grid, the project team chose a solar-powered energy solution with the following setup:
i）6 Pytes V12 batteries for energy storage, providing the school with reliable backup power.
ii）4 Phoscos inverters to manage the energy flow from solar panels to the battery system.
iii）48 620W solar panels to generate electricity from the abundant sunlight in the region.
This system was designed to operate 100% off-grid, ensuring that the school had a constant supply of electricity for lighting, educational equipment, and other essential services.
The installation of this system required careful planning and coordination due to the challenging location and difficult terrain.
The team traveled for 8 hours, crossing 4 rivers to reach the community. Once there, the team began the installation process, which included:
i) Panel setup: Solar panels were carefully installed on the roof of the new school, ensuring they were secure and positioned for optimal sun exposure.
ii) Battery and inverter setup: The Pytes V12 batteries and Phoscos inverters were installed in the school’s main power room, with careful attention paid to safety and efficiency.
iii) System integration: The system was configured to ensure that solar power would be effectively stored and distributed, with the ability to provide constant energy even during cloudy weather or at night.
Due to the remote location, the installation team had to wait for favorable weather conditions, including waiting for rivers to subside before they could proceed. Despite the logistical challenges, the team successfully completed the installation, ensuring the school would operate off the grid.
While the Alto Cohen School is still under construction, the solar power system has already been successfully installed and is now fully operational. The system, which includes the Pytes V12 batteries, Phoscos inverters, and solar panels, now provides reliable, off-grid electricity to the school, ensuring that essential services such as lighting, educational equipment, and other needs are met.
The solar setup has effectively addressed the energy challenges faced by the school in this remote area, enabling it to run efficiently and sustainably. As the school continues to be developed, the solar power system will play a critical role in supporting its long-term operation.
Why Pytes
Pytes was chosen for this project because of its reliable, high-quality products and exceptional customer support. The V12 battery system provided a robust and efficient off-grid solution, while Pytes' team's quick response and local technical assistance ensured a smooth installation process, even in such a remote area. Pytes' commitment to both sustainability and reliable performance made it the ideal choice for powering the Alto Cohen School. A special thanks to Bioenergy for their amazing teamwork and dedication.
