Zero-Export Solar Integration for a Large Industrial Site in British Columbia

Kuby Renewable Energy and Restoration Lands Inc. partnered with ComAp to deliver a large-scale solar installation with strict non-export requirements at an industrial site in British Columbia. The project involved integrating a 1.71 MW photovoltaic (PV) system at the Restoration Lands site while ensuring full compliance with BC Hydro’s Load Displacement Program, which allows on-site renewable generation but prohibits any export of energy to the grid. ComAp’s control solution enabled precise, real-time management of power flows, allowing the site to maximise solar utilisation without compromising grid compliance.

Located in the Okanagan Valley, the 450,000 sq. ft. Restoration Lands site is being developed as an Eco-Business Park, supported by industrial-grade infrastructure including a double rail spur, highway access, and robust utility connections. As part of this long-term vision, Kuby sought to deploy a large on-site PV system to offset utility consumption and reduce operational emissions.

Participation in BC Hydro’s Load Displacement Program introduced a critical technical challenge: the PV system had to operate under zero-export conditions at all times. This required a control solution capable of accurately monitoring power flows and dynamically adjusting PV output to prevent any energy from feeding back into the grid, even during rapid changes in site load or solar generation.

To address this requirement, Kuby collaborated with ComAp to implement advanced export limitation through PV curtailment. ComAp provided programming support and supplied a complete control panel featuring an InteliMains 1010 controller, an InteliVision 5.2 display, and an InteliGateway 300 for communication and monitoring.

Using real-time data from a NOJA relay at the substation, the InteliMains 1010 continuously monitors power flow at the site’s main bus. As grid imports approach zero, the controller automatically reduces PV output, ensuring that on-site generation never exceeds local demand. This precise control maintains full compliance with BC Hydro’s requirements while allowing the PV system to operate as efficiently as possible.

With ComAp’s solution in place, the 1.71 MW PV installation now offsets approximately 1,700,000 kWh of utility consumption per year, delivering significant cost savings and supporting the site’s broader sustainability objectives.