127EAX21Q0079 Rucker Solar Panel Project

USDA Forest Service has a requirement for the addition of a lithium‐iron‐phosphate based battery system, augmented with photovoltaics, to the existing 3‐phase (208/120v) generator‐powered electrical system at Rucker Barracks which will result in a substantial reduction of existing generator run‐time. A limited budget requires tradeoffs be identified primarily between battery versus photovoltaic capacity. The goal is to reduce generator starts, and the personnel time required to operate and maintain the generator and fuel system for the Rucker Barracks.
The Contractor shall provide design, cost estimates, installation of and all necessary components for a reliable battery + inverter + photovoltaic based 208/120v electric power subsystem for the Barracks building’s existing internal wiring system for a level of autonomy from the site’s existing propane fueled electric generator. Target performance from the battery + inverter system is 48 hours of autonomy using nominal battery capacity, with extended autonomy duration commensurate with nominal size of photovoltaic subsystem, whose maximum capacity shall be limited by total funding but in any case,
shall be no less than 2,800 nominal watts. The Barracks building is approximately 3900 square feet and can house up to 14 people at one time. The Barracks building has a modern standing seam metal roof with excellent south facing exposure for photovoltaic panels.
A set of batteries, inverters, and photovoltaic panel array with charge controller can operate as a storage intermediate between the genset power, photovoltaics and the Barracks loads. When battery power runs low the generator can be manually started, charging the batteries, and via a manual transfer switch concurrently power the barracks. When occupancy is low or of short duration the battery and PV system can operate with no generator run time.