Several farmers in North Kohala, Hawaii, are now benefitting from an off grid water pumping system powered by a Northern Power NPS 100 wind turbine.
The SkyGrid Energy microgrid has been fully operational since April 2013. In addition to the NPS 100 wind turbine, which is the primary source of energy production, the system also includes a battery bank and solar panels. The system is capable of pumping more than 30 million gallons of water annually and is being used to irrigate 400 acres of agricultural lad and support 14 participating farms and agricultural businesses. The project was partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Hawaii Renewable Energy Development Venture. GenX Energy Development LLC, the project developer, plans to replicate and deploy this microgrid solution throughout Hawaii and other island communities