In Pulan County, Tibet, at an average altitude of 3,900 meters, a new off-grid power supply system developed and implemented by Shenzhen Guangyi Technology has entered its trial operation phase. Unlike the previous grid-dependent power supply model, this system uses perovskite solar panels to generate electricity, showcasing Baoan District’s cutting-edge photovoltaic technology. This innovation not only addresses the challenge of providing power for local public services but also represents a significant real-world application of perovskite photovoltaic technology in outdoor public service scenarios.
“The power grid coverage is limited on the plateau, but there is plenty of sunshine, which perfectly leverages the advantages of perovskite's lightweight nature and good performance in low light”, explained Wen Yanjie, founder of Shenzhen Guangyi Technology. He added that the project is a high-altitude off-grid power supply pilot jointly developed along with Microspace, with a core focus on improving daily life: “Specifically, it's used to power portable toilets, effectively solving the problem of tourists having difficulty finding restrooms ”.
According to reports, the off-grid power supply system has a well-defined configuration, consisting of 800 perovskite photovoltaic panels (115W each), 156 inverters, and 199 sets of 5 kWh energy storage batteries. "Since the trial operation began, the system's ability to support basic functions such as lighting, ventilation, and water pumps has been fully verified, and feedback from tourists has been positive", added Wen Yanjie.
The project’s implementation on the plateau has benefitted greatly from the strong support of Bao’an District. "Speaking of this application scenario, Bao’an District has been a great help to us. It was the leaders of Bao’an District who first discovered this application scenario and facilitated our connection with Microspace", Wen Yanjie stated. In May last year, Guangyi Technology officially made contact with Microspace. Upon learning that the company initially planned to use crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels, the Guangyi team analyzed the plateau’s unique conditions. Considering the limitations of crystalline silicon in low-light environments, they proactively recommended perovskite photovoltaic panels. The two parties quickly reached a cooperation agreement.
“Perovskite is prepared at low temperatures and can generate electricity efficiently even under low-light indoor conditions, offering significant advantages in cost control and practical applications”, Wen Yanjie explained. Several modular toilets have already been deployed in Pulan County, all equipped with perovskite solar panels developed by Guangyin Technology. The mobile units provided by Microspace also support emergency services, including heated water tanks and the reliable operation of flushing systems. “During Tibet’s long, cold season, this system can ensure the stable operation of the infrastructure and provide continuous service to tourists”.
During the trial phase, the project faced challenges posed by the extreme high-altitude environment. In Tibet’s harsh winter, the energy storage system’s BMS (Battery Management System) triggered low-temperature protection, temporarily disabling some batteries. "Our after-sales team rushed to Purang immediately and quickly resolved the power supply issue for the containers, ensuring the mobile facilities operated normally and minimizing the impact on tourist services", said Wen Yanjie.
This project presents a new solution for future off-grid public service power systems and highlights the innovation of Shenzhen enterprises in the field of renewable energy.
