Development of high-efficiency solar power systems for tower-mounted sensors

Abstract

A new, highly efficient solar power electrical generation system was developed and tested for use in powering sensors attached to a tower. The sensors can be used for a wide variety of surveillance activities, ranging from wildlife management and fire detection to safety and security. The autonomous system is particularly well-suited to remote and rugged environments and to locations where diesel generators are expensive and/or fuel logistics are challenging. The autonomous system uses a dual-axis tracking method to continually orient the photovoltaic panels toward the sun. In this study, a side-by-side comparison between the dual-axis system and an otherwise equivalent fixed-tilt PV system was conducted during spring 2024. The location was selected for its challenging weather conditions (cloudiness and snowfall). The dual-axis system received between 15% and 50% more incident solar energy than the conventional system on individual days, with an average increase of ~30%. The corresponding power output of the dual-axis system exceeded that of the fixed system by 22% to 59%, with an average increase of 39%. Next, the integrated system was deployed on a tower with a 1.5 kW continuous load representing multiple sensors. This load of 1.5 kW exceeds the expected load of all sensors combined. The testing period lasted approximately 70 days—deliberately during the most conservative season for high-latitude solar systems. Over the test period, the system delivered 3,000 kWh compared to the load demand of ~2,500 kWh. These testing results demonstrate performance even under adverse weather conditions. The results indicate that the system could be well-suited for year-round, uninterrupted sensor power in cold, low-light deployment environments.