Evaluation of solar photovoltaic energy storage for aids to navigation. Interim report
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.
- Research Organization:
- Coast Guard Research and Development Center, Groton, CT (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5779511
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-096476/7
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Design and system level performance of a battery charge regulator for solar photovoltaic powered aids to navigation. Technical report
Economic analysis of solar photovoltaics for low-power lighted aids to navigation. Final report