RPI designed and installed solar systems for the Nature Conservancy as part of the overall management of this national program for implementing Renewable Energy (RE) on Nature Conservancy preserves. One example of this effort was at Red Canyon Ranch near Lander, Wyoming. This project consists of a four kilowatt grid connected photovoltaic system that powers two ranch houses, a shop, office and calving barn. In addition there are two solar water heaters for heating domestic hot water.

Another example of system design and project management is at Phantom Canyon Preserve, Colorado. This property has several photovoltaic systems, the largest which serves the preserve headquarters and staff quarters, Other preserve PV systems power a cabin, electric fencing for cattle management, and remote water pumping to keep cattle out of sensitive streamside habitat.

The Phantom Canyon headquarters system has had 99% availability for the 14 years of system life. From monitoring this system RPI has obtained valuable data on system reliability, battery life, controller strategy and maximizing system performance. Also at Phantom Canyon, RPI has successfully deployed solar electric fences (these are not as easy as they appear) over long distances (up to 5 miles). Recently RPI has demonstrated the usefulness of solar water pumping as a conservation strategy for protecting riparian areas.

The Red Canyon solar electric system, 8 years old, has had problems with inverters trying to run the many loads that one encounters at a remote ranch. The solar water heaters have worked well and are economical in a situation where you are competing against electricity in remote regions like Wyoming.

Red Canyon Ranch - Solar Electric Panels in foreground, solar water heaters on the roof