The Solar PV Hybrid Project in Limlair Carriacou, is part of a wider regional project funded by the UAE Caribbean Renewable Energy fund to build climate resilient renewable energy projects in 16 Caribbean nations. The solar PV and battery project for Carriacou comes within the framework of the UAE’s Foreign Aid Policy and five year strategy which is committed to assisting Small Island Developing States to achieve their national priorities and Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; taking urgent action to combat climate change; and achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

 

The Limlair Solar PV Hybrid (LSPH) project was realized under the UAE’s Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund (CREF) in 2019, through an agreement with the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Government of Grenada. The total project cost is USD 3.5M
The Engineer, Procure and Construct (EPC) contractor received the notice to proceed in December 2021. The project was estimated to be finally completed in July 2024 but was severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl.

 

The key elements and scope of the project included:

 

• 856kWp Solar PV plant, featuring 1450 x 590Wp bifacial modules
• 400kVA / 768kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) (The Power capacity was revised from 600 to 400 kVA)
• 750kVA LV to MV step-up transformer
• 19 racking structures each with East-West sub-arrays
• 16 50kVA inverters
• Three Combiner boxes
• Weather station
• Perimeter fencing

 

The plant was engineered under ASCE 07-10 with basic windspeed of 168MPH (75ms-1). This windspeed was selected for a 1:1700 year return period according to the US-AID funded guide “Wind Speed Maps for The Caribbean for Application with the Wind Load Provisions of ASCE 71”. This windspeed approximately corresponds to a Category IV Hurricane.

The system was projected to generate annually 1,565 MWh of energy and save over 83,500 gallons (about 316,081 L) of diesel per year. This amounts to savings of approximately 38,000 USD/month. This would offset 15-20% of the electricity that is generated by diesel on the island.
The Solar PV Farm is located in Limlair, Carriacou at the following GPS coordinates: 12.4731° N latitude and 61.4575° W longitude. The plant is relatively close to the coastline towards the north-eastern side of the island.