Considerations to go Solar
- Expense of trenching
- Low voltage installation
- Simplified power system
- Remote location
Designing for Solar
- Location, location, location
- What are the possible obstructions between the panels and the sun?
- How well are the panels aligned with the sun?
- The amount of solar power available in your area – “sun hours per day”
- Worst weather multiplier
- Keep the panels clean
- Power budgeting
- How heavy and/or long are your gate panels
- How many daily cycles are required
- Idle currents (consider all peripherals and operator)
- Active currents (consider all peripherals and operator)
- Number of days operator is required to run without sunlight
- The peak power of your panels – measured in watts
- Battery sizing & selection
- Storage requirements to meet your Power Budget
- Smart DC Control Electronics and Software has advanced battery management
- Only allow batteries to drain to 25% before shutdown
- Relay option #25 can be used as a power conservation switch for accessories
- Panel sizing
- Maximum sun intensity is 1,000 W/m2, also called “One Sun Hour”
- Thin clouds can reduce output by two thirds
- Smart DC Control Electronics and Software has advanced solar panel management
- MPPT (maximum power point tracking)
- Requires panels of 33VDC+ output
Learn more by viewing our webinar