Freshwater scarcity is a global issue and is particularly acute in the Caribbean islands. Utilizing solar power to convert saltwater to potable water for human consumption is an important concept that is gaining traction.
Recently, South Bend, Ind.-based Inovateus Solar installed a 1-megawatt solar-power-generation plant for the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa in Anguilla, an island east of Puerto Rico. The system uses a battery-backup system to store energy, providing an uninterruptible supply of energy to a reverse-osmosis plant throughout the day. The plant creates 1.25 million gallons of potable water for the residents on the island and guests of the resort, as well as for irrigation of the 285-acre golf course.
The project has been designed completely isolated from the grid. It also is able to reconnect partial loads, in a discretionary way, to continue to desalinate outside solar-production hours. For those hours when the sun is down, it depends on the local utility, Anguilla Electricity Co. Ltd.
The new solar plant saves 1.2 million pounds of carbon-dioxide emissions annually, and reduced energy costs represent significant savings for the resort.
The project was designed and installed by CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa and Inovateus Solar in partnership with GE, Fairfield, Conn. The construction was supported by SwitchLogix, Anguilla, and PDE Total Energy Solutions, Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
To learn more, visit www.inovateus.com and www.cuisinartresort.com
PHOTOS: Inovateus Solar and CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa