Total System Size: 824 kW Solar PV + 1.6 MWh Battery
Panels: 1,512 x Longi 545 W
PV Inverters: 4 x 150kW
Battery Inverters: 3 x Dyanapower 125kW
Generator Runtime Reduction: 80%
Diesel Offset: 20,000L / year
Project Completion: June 2024
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge (CWL) is a boat-accessible luxury wilderness retreat near Tofino offering 5-star accommodations for 50 guests, all powered by onsite diesel generators.
The client wanted to significantly cut diesel use, reducing costs, generator run time and fuel barge trips, while preserving the natural, quiet setting guests valued.
CHALLENGES
The project faced a remote, water-access-only location, meaning all materials had to travel by truck and barge. Construction had to be squeezed into the resort's winter off-season (October–April), all while coordinating multiple contractors handling ground prep, crane-assisted unloading and pile driving.
SOLUTION
Our team developed a fully overhauled microgrid design, including microgrid control, battery energy storage, ground mount solar PV and connection and control of the existing site. The team engineered a custom 1.6 MWh battery energy storage system in house, retrofitting a shipping container to hold the batteries, fire and safety controls, inverters and microgrid control centre.
CWL achieved an 80% reduction in diesel use and an annual carbon offset of roughly 480,000 kilograms, equivalent to removing over 100 cars from the road each year. This award-nominated project proves what off-grid renewable energy can achieve in even the most remote settings.
