EVALUATION OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY STORAGE FOR AIDS TO NAVIGATION

A detailed discussion of the U.S. Coast Guard aids to navigation application of solar photovoltaics with an emphasis on energy storage by lead-acid batteries is presented. A methodology is developed for the prediction of performance of a lead-acid battery in low-rate photovoltaic charging. Experimental results from five years of solar photovoltaic charging of lead-antimony grid batteries at various levels of voltage regulation are discussed. A two-level, two-factorial experiment with pure-lead grid batteries is analyzed. An experimental comparison is made between pure-lead grid and lead-calcium grid batteries. The results of temperature-controlled zener diode voltage regulator testing are presented. All three grid types of lead-acid batteries were found to be acceptable for aids to navigation usage with different constraints on voltage regulation and maintenance needed for each type. A final discussion is presented on the considerations for the operational deployment of solar photovoltaic-powered aids to navigation. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  United States Coast Guard

  Research and Development Center, 1082 Shennecossett Road
  Groton, CT  United States  06340-6096

  United States Coast Guard

  2100 Second Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20593
• Authors:
  • Allen, W R
  • Ryba, J S
  • Trenchard, S E
• Publication Date: 1980-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 71 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calcium compounds; Electric batteries; Electric power supply; Energy storage systems; Grids (Transmission lines); Lead (Metal); Lead acid batteries; Lead compounds; Navigational aids; Photovoltaic effect; Solar energy; Solar power generation; Voltage regulation; Warning devices
• Uncontrolled Terms: Grids
• Subject Areas: Energy; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00337171
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CGR/DC-12/80 Intrm Rpt., USCG-D-5-81
• Files: NTIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 15 1981 12:00AM