Photovoltaic application for disaster relief
Hurricanes, floods, tornados, and earthquakes are natural disasters that can happen at any time destroying homes, businesses, and natural surroundings. One such disaster, Hurricane Andrew, devastated South Florida leaving several hundred-thousand people homeless. Many people were without electrical service, functioning water and sewage systems, communications, and medical services for days, even weeks in the aftermath of the storm. Emergency management teams, the military, and countless public and private organizations staged a massive relief effort. Dependency on electrical utility power became a pronounced problem as emergency services were rendered to survivors and the rebuilding process started. Many of the energy needs of emergency management organizations, relief workers, and the general public can be satisfied with solar electric energy systems. Photovoltaic (PV) power generated from solar energy is quiet, safe, inexhaustible and pollution-free. Previously, photovoltaics have supplied emergency power for Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, and the earthquake at Northridge in Southern California. This document focuses on photovoltaic technology and its application to disaster relief efforts.
- Research Organization:
- University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Florida State Energy Office, Tallahassee, FL (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG44-94R410629
- OSTI ID:
- 366568
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/R4/10629--T1; FSEC-CR--849-95
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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