The construction site owner built a “power generation dormitory” with shipping containers

What has recently become popular in the construction circle is not new techniques or new machinery, but a new dormitory solution solar powered shipping container house.

There is a boss who works in engineering in Jiangxi Province. He has been in the business for over a decade. Every year, the project is moved to a different location. Workers’ dormitories are built and demolished every year, and electricity is also a concern every year. This year, he changed his approach. He no longer used the color steel house but instead used second-hand shipping containers as his dormitory and installed a complete solar power generation system.

The workers were all shocked when they moved in: air conditioners, water heaters and lighting were all available, and there was no need to worry about power outages due to tripping.

But what was even more astonishing was the boss himself. When he turned around and did the math, he found that this system had saved him over one million!

Cost Comparison

Let’s first take a look at the cost of the traditional plan:

• Color steel house construction + power grid connection: approximately $80,446. The construction period is long and requires approval of relevant procedures.
• Later electricity charges and diesel engine backup will easily cost 1.02 million over 10 years.

And what about the boss’s money-saving plan?

• Six modified shipping containers, all with insulation, sockets and air conditioners inside, cost about $69,350;
• A set of 25kW photovoltaic power generation system + energy storage battery cost approximately $55,480.

Total cost: 900,000, 20,000 more than the traditional one? No, this is just the beginning! Because this is a solar powered shipping container house for sea transportation, it can generate electricity by itself every day relying on sunlight.

It can generate 100 to 120 kilowatt-hours of electricity a day. It can be used for equipment during the day and illuminate the dormitory at night, which is more than enough.

The excess electricity can also be connected to nearby construction sites or stations. A net profit of about $20,805 can be made in a year by selling electricity and saving on electricity bills!

This is simply a “house that lays eggs”.

Even better, it can be deployed quickly! This system was installed in just three days with the box powered on, then hoisted into position and plugged in for immediate use. It is at least a week faster to build than traditional color steel houses, and it does not damage the ground or leave any construction waste.

The most crucial point is that it can “run”. This project is completed. The entire dormitory, along with the photovoltaic system, can be packed together and taken to the next construction site for continued use, without wasting a single penny.

Long-Term Benefits

You said you saved one million, but in fact, it’s not just a savings – the boss also gained an additional long-term investment income from photovoltaic power. If you earn an extra $20,805 each year, the photovoltaic system will break even in about five years. From the sixth year on, it will be a net profit.

Solar powered shipping container houses for sea transportation like these are increasingly seen in remote construction sites, emergency camps, and even tourist camps. It can not only be lived in, but also generate electricity, provide heating, access the Internet and install surveillance cameras… It’s no exaggeration to call it an “all-round battle fortress”.

Conclusion

To sum up in one sentence: Container construction site houses are not a new thing, but once they are equipped with “solar power”, they become a smart investment that can make money. The boss only uses them once and can never go back.