In another post Colin Luck talked about converting a client’s backup power from diesel to solar using Sonnenschein Solar batteries.
Now having backup power is a must for any disaster recovery plan, and diesel generators are the standard approach. Simple enough – primary power off the power grid, UPS to clean and provide surge protection, and diesel generators to fill in during grid outages. Grid power is cheaper than the power from the diesel generators and fuel price increases are a given.
Moving to solar for backup might change this. The big cost factor is the initial purchase, but if the driver is backup power then only the delta between solar and diesel becomes an issue. Run time becomes a decision factor since diesel fuel will be consumed and an area wide power outage will put the fuel depot pumps out of service.
Having made the case for using the solar solution for backup, it seems the next move would be to shift the order. The solar power system becomes a sunk cost, but all the power comes at no additional cost. Maintenance and battery replacement become the recurring cost factors.
Has anyone taken the next step – a return on investment study to see if solar should become the primary power and the power grid the backup power? If so, did you factor in international terrorism and power grid vulnerability?
