Executive Summary
As the challenges of frequent power outages and rising electricity costs in the Philippines, Supermarket, a growing retail chain, sought a reliable and cost-effective energy solution. By deploying a 50kW solar-plus-storage system centered around the Solis (50kW) hybrid solar inverter and a compatible High Voltage Lithium Battery bank, the supermarket has successfully mitigated grid instability, significantly reduced its operational costs, and secured an uninterrupted power supply for its critical loads. This project demonstrates the tangible value of advanced hybrid technology for commercial businesses in Southeast Asia.
The Challenge: Grid Instability Threatening Business Operations
Supermarket located in a region prone to unreliable grid supply, faced significant operational and financial hurdles:
Frequent Power Interruptions: Unscheduled blackouts disrupted refrigeration, point-of-sale systems, and lighting, leading to potential food spoilage, lost sales, and customer dissatisfaction.
High and Unpredictable Energy Costs: Dependence on the volatile grid and expensive diesel generators during outages resulted in soaring and unpredictable operational expenses.
Need for Operational Resilience: Ensuring continuous power for critical refrigeration and essential services was paramount to business integrity and customer trust.
The Solution: A Tailored Solar-Hybrid System with Smart Energy Management
After a thorough consultation, a turnkey hybrid energy system was designed and installed:
Core Technology – Solis S6-EH3P(50)K Hybrid Inverter: The system’s brain is the Solis 50kW hybrid inverter. Its key capabilities directly addressed the client’s needs:
Seamless Backup Power: Provides instantaneous switchover to battery power during grid failures, ensuring zero interruption to designated critical circuits.
Intelligent Energy Management: Prioritizes solar energy for immediate consumption, charges the battery with excess solar, and only draws from the grid when necessary, maximizing self-consumption and savings.
Grid Support & Compliance: Features like adjustable power export control ensure the system operates reliably within local utility regulations.
Energy Storage – High Voltage Lithium Battery Bank: Paired with the inverter is a High Voltage Lithium Battery system with 100kWh usable capacity.
High Efficiency & Compact Design: The high-voltage battery topology aligns efficiently with the inverter, reducing conversion losses and requiring less space—a crucial factor for the supermarket’s premises.
Long Lifespan & Stability: Offers superior cycle life, deeper safe discharge depth (DoD), and requires minimal maintenance compared to traditional battery technologies.
System Components: high-efficiency 590W solar panels, DC combiner boxes, and a smart monitoring system accessible via a web portal and mobile app.
Implementation & Performance
The installation was completed within three weeks with minimal disruption to daily operations. The Solis hybrid inverter’s user-friendly interface simplified configuration for the local technicians.
The system operates in multiple modes:
Daytime (Sunny): Solar panels power the store’s loads and simultaneously charge the High Voltage Lithium Battery.
Daytime (Grid Outage): The Solis inverter seamlessly isolates the supermarket from the grid and uses a combination of solar and battery power to maintain operations.
Nighttime/Peak Hours: The stored energy in the battery is discharged to power the store, drastically reducing reliance on expensive grid power during peak tariff periods.
The Results: Tangible Benefits and Strong ROI
Since commissioning, the system has delivered outstanding outcomes:
Reliability: Eliminated downtime for critical loads caused by grid blackouts. The supermarket now operates with confidence.
Cost Savings: Achieved a 75% reduction in monthly grid electricity bills. The investment is projected to pay for itself in under 5 years.
Energy Independence: Increased energy self-sufficiency to over 90%, shielding the business from future electricity price hikes.
Sustainability: The system offsets approximately 60 tons of carbon emissions annually, enhancing the brand’s environmental stewardship.
Monitoring & Control: The store manager actively monitors generation, consumption, and savings in real-time through the Solis monitoring platform, enabling proactive energy management.
Client Testimonial
“The power situation was our biggest operational headache. This solar and battery system with the Solis inverter has been a game-changer. Our refrigerators stay on, our customers are happy, and our electricity bills are now predictable and much lower. It’s not just an expense; it’s an investment that protects our business every day.” – Mr. Rodriguez, Supermarket Owner