A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON RELIABILITY
For more than 20 years, Christopher Nesbitt has relied on OutBack Power to help deliver reliable electricity to some of the most remote communities in Belize.
As the founder of Maya Mountain Research Farm and Belize Permaculture & Renewable Energy, Christopher has dedicated his career to designing and installing stand-alone renewable energy systems for schools, ranger stations, and rural communities where utility power simply isn’t an option.
Since first working with OutBack Power in 2004, he has installed more than 25 OutBack-powered systems across Belize—and continues to trust OutBack technology in his own home.
“OutBack components just work well. The charge controllers are easy to understand, the inverters are bulletproof, and the FLEXpower ONE is simple to install.”
BRINGING RELIABLE POWER WHERE IT’S NEEDED MOST
Maya Mountain Research Farm and Belize Permaculture & Renewable Energy’s projects serve communities that often have no realistic path to grid electricity. These installations have provided dependable power for:
- Indigenous boarding schools
- Remote ranger stations in protected areas
- Communities throughout Belize
- Facilities along the Belize Barrier Reef
Many of these systems operate in challenging environments, including humid tropical climates and marine locations where durability is essential.
A Relationship That Started With Support
Christopher’s relationship with OutBack Power began with a self-build power center kit based around an OutBack enclosure, providing a safer alternative to the automotive fuse systems commonly used in early off-grid installations. That relationship quickly grew into a partnership.
In 2007, OutBack Power donated an inverter and charge controller for a renewable energy system at Maya Mountain Research Farm’s agroecology and permaculture training center. The following year, after receiving support from BP Solar for photovoltaic panels, the classroom became a fully operational renewable energy learning facility. In 2009, OutBack again partnered with their organization by donating equipment for a solar installation at Tumul K’in Center of Learning, an Indigenous-run boarding school serving students from remote villages throughout Belize. Those early experiences left a lasting impression.
Why FLEXpower ONE
As Christopher’s installations evolved, the FLEXpower ONE became his preferred integrated power solution. Today, the majority of his residential and community systems are built around 48-volt FLEXpower ONE systems paired with approximately 4 kW of solar generation. According to Christopher, the reasons are simple:
- Easy installation
- Straightforward commissioning
- Compact footprint
- Long-term reliability
- Simple system management
Built for Challenging Environments
Belize’s tropical climate presents unique challenges for renewable energy systems. High humidity, salt air near the coast, and remote installation sites demand equipment that can withstand harsh conditions with minimal maintenance.
“The sealed inverters make them appropriate for remote areas in the humid tropics, or for marine environments.”
Support That Builds Loyalty
When support is needed, many issues can be resolved remotely thanks to reliable system design and intuitive controls. Christopher says OutBack’s sealed inverter design has proven especially valuable Just as importantly, the systems rarely require service.
“We have installed systems up and down the Belize Barrier Reef and in schools in Indigenous communities, and we seldom have to go service them.”
Reliable products are only part of this story. Exceptional customer support has reinforced Christopher’s confidence in recommending OutBack Power for more than two decades. He recalls one customer whose inverter motherboard failed just outside of the warranty period. Experiences like these have strengthened his trust in the brand and the confidence he has when specifying OutBack equipment for future projects.
Living with OutBack Power
Christopher doesn’t just install OutBack products—he relies on them every day. His own home has operated with OutBack components since 2007 and has evolved alongside advances in renewable energy technology. After more than 30 years of living with solar power, beginning with a single 50-watt panel, a marine battery, and simple DC loads, his current system includes:
- 1.8 kW of solar generation
- OutBack FLEXpower ONE
- 24-volt, 500 Ah nickel-iron battery bank
That personal experience gives him a unique perspective as both an installer and an end user.
“We have watched how OutBack has consistently provided great hardware and great support.”
Looking Ahead
For organizations like Maya Mountain Research Farm and Belize Permaculture & Renewable Energy, equipment isn’t simply about specifications—it’s about providing reliable electricity to communities that depend on it for education, conservation, communication, and everyday life. After more than two decades of partnership and dozens of successful installations throughout Belize, OutBack Power continues to be their trusted choice for remote energy systems built to last.
Visit the Maya Mountain Research Farm website to learn more about the incredible work their organization does.