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Introducing Solar Power!

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Background

Why are photovoltaic (solar power) panel assemblies needed?– cost effective alternative– to provide power where or when line power is not available– Other methods, eg generator, fuel cell, wind not practical

Why not just offer batteries? What is the difference between solar for ordinary locations

and for Division 2 hazardous locations? Key questions to select:

– what location to install? (ie how much sun?)– what load, in amperes? (size the panel and the battery)– how often will the load need power?

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Terminology

Off grid: solar power with battery backup Grid tie: tied into utility power Stand-alone: large (KW) solar power

assembly Hybrid: standalone coupled with generator Inverter: electronic equipment to convert

DC voltage from solar to AC for load

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Benefits of solar power modules

Eliminate need for power infrastructure, and the time and costs to install

Enables monitoring/control in remote applications

Modules are easy to install, minimal maintenance required

Pre-wired per the NEC/CEC minimize installation time and wiring errors

Quality components maximize reliability and system life

Systems can be designed for higher load and voltage requirements (other than wireless)

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Applications

Installed with remotely located devices and equipment

Examples: Obstruction lighting in remote locations Instrumentation Cathodic protection Navigational aids Seismic monitoring Video surveillance Irrigation monitoring and control Telecommunications Tank and well level monitors Flow meters

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Benefits to customers

Enhance Safety and Productivity Supply power to monitor remote assets and their locations to improve emergency

response time and eliminate time-consuming, on-site inspection Solar is a mature technology used in applications requiring safe/reliable power

sources

Reduce Operation and Labor Costs Eliminate infrastructure needed to develop line power in remote applications Pre-wired kits allow for quick installation by any qualified electrician Maintenance-free battery life eliminates battery replacement for 4+ years

Reliable Performance in Any Environment Recommended temperature range: -30ºC to 50ºC

(consult factory for more extreme temperatures) Class I, Division 2 assemblies available

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Solar Module Review

Thin Film

Mono or Single Crystalline

Poly or Multi Crystalline

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Solar Module Review

Thin Film Modules

– Larger area for the same electrical output (2X)

– Lower efficiency about 7%

– Does well in low light levels and off angle radiation

– Does not perform well in high temperatures

– Lighter weight, no tempered glass

– 6% market share

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Solar Module Review

Mono Crystalline Modules

– Smaller footprint

– High efficiency about 18%

– Most expensive to manufacture

– 37% market share

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Solar Module Review

Poly or Multi Crystalline Modules

– Smaller footprint than thin film

– High efficiency about 16%

– Not as expensive to manufacture as Mono

– 57% market share

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Solar Panel• FM Certified:- Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, D

PV Module (Solar Panel)

Photovoltaic Module Made of high efficiency polycrystalline silicon

modules, capable of weathering any environment. High efficiency, small footprint – more compact

than other solar technologies Fully encapsulated panel resists harsh weather

conditions (hazardous environments, hail, rain,

90mph wind) Integral junction box with terminal connection

block with pre-installed UV rated cable, providing

ease of installation 25 year expected life Installation angles are important for performance

and maintenance

Higher efficiency, smaller profile, longer life than other comparable solar tech panels (e.g. thin film)

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Mounting Structures

Roof & Ground Mount

Rapid Rac

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Mounting Structures

Top of Pole

– Single module

– Multi module

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Mounting Structures

Side of Pole

– Single module

– Multi module

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Regulator• UL Listed:- UL 1604• FM Certified:- Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, D- CSA 22.2 No. 213-M1987

Regulator (aka controller)

Efficient and reliable solid state components Maintains health of the battery, prevents severe

discharging Rated for 25% overloads Encapsulated electronics with marine rated

terminals for superior corrosion resistance Temperature compensation provides reliable power

supply at extreme temperatures Green charging / red low voltage disconnect (LVD)

indicators-- help expedite troubleshooting

Regulators channel the sun’s energy to the equipment when needed, or charge the battery when energy is not required

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Battery Technologies

There are three (3) general types of battery technologies that are used in photovoltaic (PV) off-grid application

Flooded

AGM

GelledGelled

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Battery Technologies

Gelled Electrolyte

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Battery• UL Listed: UL1989

Battery Technologies

Designed for maintenance-free deep cycling

solar applications

Sealed, valve-regulated, gelled electrolyte

Low stand loss minimizes deterioration between

transport and storage

Non-spillable ICAO, IATA, and DOT ratings

ensure safe transport without the need for

special containers

Handles heat better than AGM or Flooded

Higher initial cost, heavier weight

Specifically designed batteries supply power to the load when sunlight decreases or at night

Gelled electrolyte

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Battery Technologies

Does depth of discharge affect cycle life?Yes! The harder any battery has to work, the sooner it will fail.

The shallower the average discharge, the longer the life. This is why it’s important to size a battery system to deliver at least twice the average power required, to assure shallow discharges.

Typical Battery Cycling Ability vs. Depth of Discharge

Typical Life Cycles

Capacity Withdrawn Gel AGM

100% 450 150

80% 600 200

50% 1000 370

25% 2100 925

10% 5700 3100

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Sizing Solar Arrays

(4) Questions that your customer will be able to provide the answer to:

1 - What is the power consumption expressed as either watts or amps

2 - Duty-cycle…How long is the equipment running, continuous, intermittent, etc.

3 - What is the equipment voltage, generally but not always this is: 12VDC / 24VDC / 48VDC

4 - Where is the geographic location for the system, different locations have different solar resource values

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Selecting a System

STEP ONEDetermine the equivalent sun hours of the application you would like to install a solar kit into.

Example:Atlanta, GA 4.0 Equivalent Sun Hours

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Selecting a System

STEP TWO Determine the load requirements for your application in Amp-hours / day.

For wireless applications, determine the power of your device in amps

STEP THREEDetermine the duty cycle (i.e. 100% for continuous vs. 50% for 12 hours per day) of your load.

STEP FOURAdjust for a 1.2 service factor to account for load requirement variability

STEP FIVESelect the solar kit capable of meeting or exceeding the load requirements (in Amp-hours / day) for your application.

Load requirement (Amp-hours / day) = (amps of device x duty cycle x 1.2) x 24 hours / day

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Selecting a System

Example:200 mA device, continuous duty cycle, Atlanta GALoad requirement = (200 mA x 100% x 1.2) x 24 hours / day = 5,760 mA-hr / day

Load requirement = 5.8 Amp-hours / day used in a region which has 4 equivalent sun hours

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Summary

Solar Panel Assemblies provide:– Remote source power for wireless and other uses– Performance and long life from reliable, field

proven components– Ease of installation from modular design, and

prewired components– Low TCO due to proven components with low

maintenance requirements– Assemblies for higher load requirements, or

grid-tie, consult factory