Saudi Parter
At a Glance: This guide walks through every screen of the PORTA Microgrid Configurator using a real Riyadh mining camp scenario. You will learn how to choose an input mode, set location and deployment method, compare sizing strategies, read the BOM recommendation, interpret the 24-hour simulation, and download a professional PDF proposal — all in under five minutes.
Designing an off-grid power system used to take weeks of back-and-forth with engineering teams. The PORTA Microgrid Configurator compresses that into under five minutes — giving you a complete equipment list, 24-hour energy simulation, diesel savings analysis, and a downloadable PDF technical proposal.
This guide walks through every screen of the configurator using a real Riyadh-based mining camp scenario. Whether you are running a remote excavation site, a concrete batching plant, or an island village, the process is identical.
Try it live: PORTA Microgrid Configurator
The configurator offers three ways to describe your power needs. Pick the one that matches how much data you already have.
Best for early-stage planning when you only know rough numbers.
Best when you know the site type and headcount but do not have an equipment list yet.
Select one of eight pre-built application scenarios: Mining Camp, Construction Site, Concrete Batching, Oil Field, Island / Village, Agriculture, Telecom / DC, or Emergency Camp. Each scenario carries a typical energy-intensity profile. Enter the scale (number of workers, hectares, or pump count), set backup autonomy in hours, and toggle grid availability or EV charging if applicable. The configurator immediately draws an estimated 24-hour load profile below the inputs.
Best for engineers who already have an equipment schedule.
Build a table row-by-row: equipment name, rated power (kW), quantity, operating hours (start and end), and load type (resistive or motor). The configurator calculates daily kWh per line and aggregates a peak demand, motor ratio, and night-load percentage in real time. You can also upload an Excel or CSV file instead of typing — ideal for large camps with dozens of loads.
Below the inputs, three deployment cards let you choose how solar is installed. This choice directly affects product matching and cost:
| Method | Best For | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Foldable Container | Mobile, rapid-deploy sites (PORTA signature product) | $450–650 / kWp |
| Ground-Mount | Fixed long-term installations, lowest cost per kWp | $350–550 / kWp |
| Rooftop | Existing buildings with roof space | $400–600 / kWp |
For mining and construction camps that relocate every few years, the Foldable Container is usually the best fit. It packs into a standard shipping container and deploys on tracks without cranes. Once you have selected a mode and deployment method, click "Calculate My Microgrid Configuration".
The configurator does not give you one answer — it gives you two, side by side, so you can decide what matters most for your project.
Strategy A: 100% Green (Zero Diesel Priority) — Sized for the worst solar month (conservative design). Highest CAPEX, lowest OPEX. Diesel generator present only for emergency backup. Best for sites with strict ESG mandates or unpredictable fuel logistics.
Strategy B: Cost-Optimal (Diesel Augmented) — Sized for annual average solar conditions. Lower CAPEX, faster payback. Diesel runs as an active complement during cloudy weeks. Best for budget-constrained projects where some diesel is acceptable.
| Metric | Strategy A | Strategy B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Basis | Worst-month PSH: 2.9 h/d | Annual avg PSH: 4.9 h/d | 67% more sun in Strategy B |
| PV Array | 503 kWp | 301 kWp | Strategy A needs 67% more PV |
| Battery Storage | 1,450 kWh | 600 kWh | Strategy A has 142% more storage |
| PCS / Inverter | 410 kW | 250 kW | — |
| Diesel Generator | 70 kW (emergency only) | 120 kW (active complement) | Strategy B DG handles 42% more load |
| Est. CAPEX | $1.12M | $591K | Strategy B saves $525K |
| Payback Period | 5.3 years | 2.3 years | Strategy B 2.9 years faster |
| Annual Diesel | 0 L/yr | 0 L/yr | Both 100% renewable penetration |
Notice that even the "Cost-Optimal" strategy achieves 100% renewable penetration in this Riyadh scenario because solar resource is abundant. The difference is purely in sizing philosophy and capital outlay.
After you select a strategy, the configurator displays a BOM-style recommendation using actual PORTA product SKUs:
| Component | Product Model | Qty | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| PV Array (Foldable) | PFCP-130 | 3 units | 130 kWp each |
| Energy Storage (ESS) | PORTA BESS (0.5C) | 1 set | 723 kWh / 360 kW PCS |
| Diesel Generator | Industrial DG-100 | 1 unit | 100 kW |
| EMS | PORTA EMS | 1 unit | Included |
| System Integration | PORTA Equipment Package | — | Included |
Totals: 390 kWp PV | 723 kWh BESS | 100 kW DG | Integration included
This is not a generic parts list. Every model maps to a real PORTA product with factory-tested parameters, so you can move straight from concept to quotation.
Directly beneath the BOM, an interactive chart shows how energy moves through the system across a full day:
Hover over any hour to see the exact kW values. In the Riyadh example, the battery charges aggressively during midday peak sun, then discharges through the evening and early morning. Diesel remains offline because the battery and solar combination covers the full 24-hour cycle.
The Diesel Savings Analysis table compares your current diesel-only baseline against the new hybrid system:
| Item | Diesel-Only (Before) | Hybrid System (After) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Diesel Consumption | 168,796 L | 0 L | 168,796 L (100%) |
| Annual Fuel Cost | $143,477 | $0 | $143,477 |
| Annual DG Maintenance | $10,128 | $0 | $10,128 |
| Daily Generator Hours | 24 h | 0 h | 24 h |
| Annual CO₂ Emissions | 452 t | 0 t | 452 t |
Four KPI cards summarize the financial and environmental impact: Annual Savings $154K USD/year, Est. CAPEX $343K USD (indicative), Payback 2.3 years, and CO₂ Reduction 452 tons/year.
Scroll down to the 10-Year Cash Flow Analysis chart. A stacked bar-and-line graph shows:
This gives CFOs and project financiers a clear picture of liquidity and break-even timing without opening a spreadsheet.
A single-line diagram shows the electrical topology of the recommended system:
This diagram is generated automatically from the sizing results. You can drop it straight into a client presentation or permit application.
All results so far are free and instant. To download a branded, printable PDF proposal with full technical specifications, enter your contact details in the unlock form:
Click “Unlock Full Report & Generate PDF”. The system emails you the proposal within seconds and flags your project for follow-up by the PORTA engineering team.
The PDF includes:
Is the configurator free to use?
Yes. All sizing results, simulations, and the system diagram are available instantly without registration. The PDF download requires an email so our engineers can follow up with a formal quotation.
How accurate are the numbers?
The configurator uses real solar resource data from Open-Meteo, PORTA product datasheets, and diesel consumption models calibrated against field measurements. CAPEX figures are indicative; final pricing depends on shipping, customs, and site-specific civil works.
Can I save my project and come back later?
Currently each session is self-contained. We recommend downloading the PDF or taking a screenshot of the comparison table. A save-and-share feature is on the roadmap.
Does it work for locations outside Saudi Arabia?
Absolutely. The location lookup covers every city worldwide with hourly historical weather data. Try Dubai, Nairobi, Perth, or Lima — the configurator adapts solar yield and temperature coefficients automatically.
What if my site has grid power but it is unreliable?
Select the "Grid power available (peak shaving mode)" toggle in Scenario Builder. The configurator will size the system for backup autonomy rather than 100% off-grid operation, reducing battery and PV size accordingly.
The PORTA Microgrid Configurator turns a process that used to take weeks into a five-minute exercise. No engineering degree required — just your location, your loads, and your fuel price.
Launch the Configurator →For questions or a detailed engineering review, contact the PORTA team at jayden@solarstoragediesel.com.
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