No energy from fossil fuels. This was actor Marlon Brando’s vision when he decided to build an exclusive resort on his island, Tetiaroa in the South Pacific in the 70’s. Now Richard Bailey, CEO of Pacific Beachcomber, has made it a reality: SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA) and its subsidiary SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH have realized French Polynesia’s first integrated solar power and battery-storage system with an output of more than 1 megawatt on the island. 60% of the electricity demand is covered with solar energy. In addition, up to 500,000 liters of fuel can be saved on the island every year.
“The Brando resort already had a PV system along the landing strip, the output of which has doubled to 1.4 megawatts with the update and expansion,” explained Wiebke Krüger, Project Manager at SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH. “Thanks to the integration of the battery-storage system with a capacity of 2.6 MWh, 60% of the electricity supply now comes from solar energy. The island’s grid quality was also improved once again. The Sunny Central Storage battery inverter from SMA with grid-forming properties and the new black start function, combined with the SMA Hybrid Controller, ensures that after a power failure a stable network can be formed again within seconds and can be reliably hold.”
Resort is a model for sustainable projects
“We have benefited from SMA and SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH’s wealth of experience with island electrification projects. I am delighted that we have been able to further enhance sustainability on Tetiaroa with the PV system and integrated battery-storage system,” said Richard Bailey, CEO of Pacific Beachcomber, the operator of the resort. “We are very happy with the update and expansion of the PV system as well as the installation of the battery-storage system. The protection and conservation of the unique natural environment are personally very important to me. For some of our guests, The Brando serves as inspiration and a model for the implementation of their own sustainable projects.”
Battery-storage system ensures uninterruptible supply
By day, The Brando resort’s electricity supply comes exclusively from solar energy and batteries; the generators start up automatically only if needed. The uninterruptible power supply for the guests is guaranteed in the case of cloud cover and even at night, if the generators fail. Electricity is then provided from the batteries. The resort has achieved a LEED Platinum certification (certification for sustainability) for its buildings. The setup of a Sea Water Air-Conditioning system reduces electricity consumption by up to 90% while ensuring comfort at the highest standard. Only two hotels in the world offer this system: the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa and The Brando, both built by Pacific Beachcomber.
The Brando is situated on Onetahi island in the Tetiaroa atoll in the South Pacific. The Hollywood star Marlon Brando (The Godfather) purchased the island in 1967 after filming Mutiny on the Bounty and resolved to preserve the unique South Sea paradise he found there. Thanks to the commitment of Richard Bailey, a sustainable vacation resort opened there in 2014 and has already entertained numerous prominent guests. In addition The Brando has built the ecological station of the Tetiaroa Society who offers research, nature conservation and educational programs in the spirit of Marlon Brando.
Press photos can be downloaded here.
A film about the installation of the SMA system on The Brando can be found on our Blog Sunny.
Find out all about the SMA battery inverters here.
About Pacific Beachcomber Group
The Brando Resort is part of the Pacific Beachcomber Group led by Richard Bailey. Pacific Beachcomber boasts three decades of experience in extending quality hospitality to visitors to the islands of French Polynesia. Its resorts include 4 InterContinental Resorts and Spa on Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, as well 3 properties with the Maitai Group in Rangiroa, Huahine and Bora Bora, and in addition the MS Paul Gauguin, the highest rated and longest continually-sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific. Pacific Beachcomber’s mission is to provide authentic and enriching travel experiences for its guests, while ensuring that the islands and communities that we call home have a future as rich as their past – strengthening their resilience to global change, enhancing their natural splendor and precious biodiversity, respecting Polynesian culture, hospitality and traditions, and benefiting and supporting its local neighbors. With Pacific Beachcomber support, the foundations Tetiaroa Society and te mana o te moana have been created, in order to develop extensive education, conservation and research programs in French Polynesia.
Disclaimer:
This press release serves only as information and does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for, acquire, hold or sell any securities of SMA Solar Technology AG (the “Company”) or any present or future subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the “SMA Group”) nor should it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract to purchase or subscribe for any securities in the Company or any member of the SMA Group or commitment whatsoever. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This press release can contain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements are statements which do not describe facts of the past. They also include statements about our assumptions and expectations. These statements are based on plans, estimations and forecasts which the Managing Board of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA or company) has available at this time. Future-oriented statements are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. Future-oriented statements by nature contain risks and elements of uncertainty. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors can lead to considerable differences between the actual results, the financial position, the development or the performance of the corporation and the estimates given here. These factors include those which SMA has discussed in published reports. These reports are available on the SMA website at www.SMA.de. The company accepts no obligation whatsoever to update these future-oriented statements or to adjust them to future events or developments.
“The Brando resort already had a PV system along the landing strip, the output of which has doubled to 1.4 megawatts with the update and expansion,” explained Wiebke Krüger, Project Manager at SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH. “Thanks to the integration of the battery-storage system with a capacity of 2.6 MWh, 60% of the electricity supply now comes from solar energy. The island’s grid quality was also improved once again. The Sunny Central Storage battery inverter from SMA with grid-forming properties and the new black start function, combined with the SMA Hybrid Controller, ensures that after a power failure a stable network can be formed again within seconds and can be reliably hold.”
Resort is a model for sustainable projects
“We have benefited from SMA and SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH’s wealth of experience with island electrification projects. I am delighted that we have been able to further enhance sustainability on Tetiaroa with the PV system and integrated battery-storage system,” said Richard Bailey, CEO of Pacific Beachcomber, the operator of the resort. “We are very happy with the update and expansion of the PV system as well as the installation of the battery-storage system. The protection and conservation of the unique natural environment are personally very important to me. For some of our guests, The Brando serves as inspiration and a model for the implementation of their own sustainable projects.”
Battery-storage system ensures uninterruptible supply
By day, The Brando resort’s electricity supply comes exclusively from solar energy and batteries; the generators start up automatically only if needed. The uninterruptible power supply for the guests is guaranteed in the case of cloud cover and even at night, if the generators fail. Electricity is then provided from the batteries. The resort has achieved a LEED Platinum certification (certification for sustainability) for its buildings. The setup of a Sea Water Air-Conditioning system reduces electricity consumption by up to 90% while ensuring comfort at the highest standard. Only two hotels in the world offer this system: the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa and The Brando, both built by Pacific Beachcomber.
The Brando is situated on Onetahi island in the Tetiaroa atoll in the South Pacific. The Hollywood star Marlon Brando (The Godfather) purchased the island in 1967 after filming Mutiny on the Bounty and resolved to preserve the unique South Sea paradise he found there. Thanks to the commitment of Richard Bailey, a sustainable vacation resort opened there in 2014 and has already entertained numerous prominent guests. In addition The Brando has built the ecological station of the Tetiaroa Society who offers research, nature conservation and educational programs in the spirit of Marlon Brando.
Press photos can be downloaded here.
A film about the installation of the SMA system on The Brando can be found on our Blog Sunny.
Find out all about the SMA battery inverters here.
About Pacific Beachcomber Group
The Brando Resort is part of the Pacific Beachcomber Group led by Richard Bailey. Pacific Beachcomber boasts three decades of experience in extending quality hospitality to visitors to the islands of French Polynesia. Its resorts include 4 InterContinental Resorts and Spa on Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, as well 3 properties with the Maitai Group in Rangiroa, Huahine and Bora Bora, and in addition the MS Paul Gauguin, the highest rated and longest continually-sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific. Pacific Beachcomber’s mission is to provide authentic and enriching travel experiences for its guests, while ensuring that the islands and communities that we call home have a future as rich as their past – strengthening their resilience to global change, enhancing their natural splendor and precious biodiversity, respecting Polynesian culture, hospitality and traditions, and benefiting and supporting its local neighbors. With Pacific Beachcomber support, the foundations Tetiaroa Society and te mana o te moana have been created, in order to develop extensive education, conservation and research programs in French Polynesia.
Disclaimer:
This press release serves only as information and does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for, acquire, hold or sell any securities of SMA Solar Technology AG (the “Company”) or any present or future subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the “SMA Group”) nor should it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract to purchase or subscribe for any securities in the Company or any member of the SMA Group or commitment whatsoever. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This press release can contain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements are statements which do not describe facts of the past. They also include statements about our assumptions and expectations. These statements are based on plans, estimations and forecasts which the Managing Board of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA or company) has available at this time. Future-oriented statements are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. Future-oriented statements by nature contain risks and elements of uncertainty. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors can lead to considerable differences between the actual results, the financial position, the development or the performance of the corporation and the estimates given here. These factors include those which SMA has discussed in published reports. These reports are available on the SMA website at www.SMA.de. The company accepts no obligation whatsoever to update these future-oriented statements or to adjust them to future events or developments.
