In a serene corner of Greece, a monumental step towards sustainable energy is underway. A grand installation of 64 US5000 Pylontech batteries now powers an entire monastery, catering to the needs of a community of 50 devoted monks and their guests.

Efficient Lithium-Ion Battery Integration

Traditionally, the monastery relied on lead acid batteries, which took up at least 80 square metres of space. With the installation of the lithium-ion batteries supplied by Voltacon and Pylontech, the new system now has a small footprint of less than 10 square metres — a significant reduction in space requirements.

Seamless Integration with Solar PV Array

A robust 60 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) array has been installed to harness the abundant sunlight and power the monastery. The electricity generated is utilised directly or stored in lithium-ion batteries for later use.

Advanced Monitoring and Control Systems

German-made SMA solar inverters and Pylontech batteries form the core of the power generation system. Pylontech batteries are safe and reliable, as they use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) architecture, one of the safest lithium-ion batteries. The modular battery features multiple units that can be stacked together to increase the system’s total capacity.

The setup at Mount Athos has 64 battery modules, all fully synchronised to distribute the load equally between the batteries. Their temperature, voltage, and current are monitored closely and controlled through Raspberry Pi controllers — small, affordable, single-board computers that work with the Solar Assistant software.

This advanced setup enables real-time monitoring of individual battery cells to address any discrepancies that may arise promptly. The batteries also have a built-in battery management system (BMS) that protects them from overcharging and over-discharging.

Enhanced Battery Lifespan and Performance

The US5000 Pylontech batteries have an impressive lifespan of over 8,000 cycles for over 12 years. Unlike lead acid batteries, which are usually capped at a depth of 40%-50% discharge, these lithium-ion batteries can be discharged down to 95% of their full capacity before recharging. Lithium-ion batteries also lose minimal energy during charge/discharge cycles, ensuring stable performance throughout their lifespan, even with heavy usage.

16 batteries are connected in one stack with LV Hub support.

A Sustainable Future Powered by Solar Energy

The rural community in Mount Athos, Greece, relies 100% on solar power and the energy they store in their batteries. This cutting-edge technology provides the monks and their guests with continuous access to electricity for their daily needs.

Battery room with 64 lithium-ion batteries

Control room with sunny island SMA 8kW, three phase inverters , and battery fuses.