A buddy of mine is trying to come up with a power solution for a remote, high altitude camera setup for extended time-lapse photography. Is anyone familiar with a solar panel that can withstand sustained exposure to cold temperatures? The NPS rangers at 14,000 on Denali must be using something to recharge their technology that can handle prolonged cold. Suggestions appreciated, especially if accompanied by personal experience.
cold resistant solar panels
- Thread starter Tugela
- Start date
Buddy of mine installs repeater stations using solar, they look like they are housed in a pelican case.
FYI, here's what I heard from the guide service I used to work for:
"[FONT="]What we’re currently using on Rainier is a GoalZero Yeti 400 battery box, but we’ve got it built into a custom insulated box with covered/coated ports. That is chained to THREE Boulder 15 solar panels that we have built into a sailing-vinyl covered housing to keep the panels rigid and moveable. The housing features a drop-down cover that we close down (Velcro around all four sides) when things are super gnarly.[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]The intrinsic heat of the Yeti 400 seems to keep it from experiencing too much cold drain. That, combined with the fact that we’re constantly trickle-charging from the solar panels, keeps the box above 25% capacity at all times, leaving us with that 25% capacity margin in case an unexpected storm prevented us from charting the Yeti for an extended period of time.[/FONT]
[FONT="]
The guide staff is running iPhone chargers, as well as several Motorola radio battery chargers from the box. Not a huge power drain, but a constant one."[/FONT]
"[FONT="]What we’re currently using on Rainier is a GoalZero Yeti 400 battery box, but we’ve got it built into a custom insulated box with covered/coated ports. That is chained to THREE Boulder 15 solar panels that we have built into a sailing-vinyl covered housing to keep the panels rigid and moveable. The housing features a drop-down cover that we close down (Velcro around all four sides) when things are super gnarly.[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]The intrinsic heat of the Yeti 400 seems to keep it from experiencing too much cold drain. That, combined with the fact that we’re constantly trickle-charging from the solar panels, keeps the box above 25% capacity at all times, leaving us with that 25% capacity margin in case an unexpected storm prevented us from charting the Yeti for an extended period of time.[/FONT]
[FONT="]
The guide staff is running iPhone chargers, as well as several Motorola radio battery chargers from the box. Not a huge power drain, but a constant one."[/FONT]
At expo east last year I bought a set of panels from Overland Solar. I never really got a chance to use them so during some down time over the winter I set them up at my shop, unheated building, and used them to chage the batteries for the fork lift and the power tools on the service truck. They seemed to work very well. That being said...I can see where some upgrades could be made to the frame/hinges...but for the cost I am very content.
Just my $0.02....
Just my $0.02....
I live in Arizona, so take this with a shovel full of sun 
From what I've learned about solar panels and boondocking, solar panels blocked by shade/snow would probably cause more problems than cold weather. The panels I use are rated for -40℃to +80℃.
Since panels in series are de-rated by cells not in direct sunlight, you might be better with more smaller panels in parallel (like 4 10w instead of one 50w). If they're aimed slightly different from each other, wind or sunshine may keep them clear of snow better.
Also, like noted above, keep the batteries and solar load controller in an insulated box. Some of the load controllers have a switchable load output (always on, dusk-dawn, dusk to timed) you could run a small incandescent light bulb with a rudimentary mechanical thermostat to heat the battery compartment in extreme cold. Even a 1w bulb would help in an enclosed space.
also read this: http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/are-solar-panels-usable-in-sno/21894748
From what I've learned about solar panels and boondocking, solar panels blocked by shade/snow would probably cause more problems than cold weather. The panels I use are rated for -40℃to +80℃.
Since panels in series are de-rated by cells not in direct sunlight, you might be better with more smaller panels in parallel (like 4 10w instead of one 50w). If they're aimed slightly different from each other, wind or sunshine may keep them clear of snow better.
Also, like noted above, keep the batteries and solar load controller in an insulated box. Some of the load controllers have a switchable load output (always on, dusk-dawn, dusk to timed) you could run a small incandescent light bulb with a rudimentary mechanical thermostat to heat the battery compartment in extreme cold. Even a 1w bulb would help in an enclosed space.
also read this: http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/are-solar-panels-usable-in-sno/21894748
He said a company called Davis, they would modify the repeaters for their use.
http://www.davisnet.com
I do like the Goal Zero stuff..
http://www.davisnet.com
I do like the Goal Zero stuff..
Look at the ham radio repeater builders community. These guys have built many solar-powered mountaintop radio stations. Typical setup is a shack with a bank of deep-cycle batteries and radio rack and a solar controller. For extreme cold weather service, I would look into DC-powered battery blankets to keep the cells from getting too cold. It's also important to minimize your power draw for a pure solar-powered station. Use relays to shut down unnecessary components when they're not in use.
Here's a solar-powered repeater that SDARC runs on top of Mount Ellen in the Henry Mountains of Utah:
Here's a solar-powered repeater that SDARC runs on top of Mount Ellen in the Henry Mountains of Utah: