Case Studies

Totota Micro-utility Off-grid Microgrid

2 MIN READ

Generac helped commission a microgrid system that now brings clean, reliable electricity to Totota, Liberia through the Totota Electric Cooperative (TEC)—the country’s first operational micro-utility.

For much of the world, access to affordable and dependable electricity underpins healthcare, economic development, education, and basic quality of life. But in Totota—a key regional trading hub located in Bong County, 80 miles inland from Liberia’s capital—reliable energy was once out of reach. Until recently, most residents relied on candles, dry cell batteries, and informal generator setups for power.

That changed in 2018, when NRECA International supported the formation of the Totota Electric Cooperative. As of 2021, TEC became only the second legal electricity provider in Liberia, alongside the government-owned Liberia Electricity Corporation. With backing from American electric co-ops, TEC transitioned from concept to operation—delivering equitable energy access and creating local jobs in the process.

To power this transformation, NRECA International partnered with Generac to implement and control the off-grid microgrid system through the ARC microgrid control system. This community microgrid serves homes, small businesses, and four commercial refrigeration operations—enabling economic growth and supporting essential services.

The Generac ARC controller acts as the central intelligence of the microgrid solution, dynamically managing solar generation, battery energy storage, and diesel generation. ARC maximizes solar self-consumption and storage dispatch to reduce diesel runtime and lower electricity costs for cooperative members. Using advanced control algorithms, ARC enables both storage and generators to run in grid-forming mode, adding spinning reserves and system stability while maintaining minimum generator loading for optimal performance and longevity.

This advanced microgrid technology not only delivers clean, resilient power—it also provides real ownership to the local community. TEC now manages operations, electrical sales, and maintenance internally, with technicians and lineworkers reporting to a local board of directors.

The success of the Totota solar powered microgrid stands as a scalable model for future rural electrification efforts across Liberia and globally. Generac is proud to have played a key role in making this milestone a reality and remains committed to advancing universal access to sustainable, reliable microgrid energy for remote and underserved communities.