Why Do Marines Need Solar Energy?

Energy, Power, and Planning

Marines need portable power sources for small equipment. They need to operate their equipment from remote conditions. The renewable power sources should be able to operate all the power equipment. Power management is very important for marine troops. To use renewable energy efficiently, they need to have a good idea of how much power they need. They have to be knowledgeable of inclement conditions. The effectiveness of renewable energy depends on the understanding of peak power demands. Storage capacity also play a very important role when dealing with solar energy.

Marines use a variety of electrical components such as laptops, projectors, printers and LED lights. Each equipment has different power consumption rate. Laptops consume the maximum power. Power consumption by one laptop is insignificant, but the marines use many laptops for different purposes. Power generation and distribution costs depends on what kind of technology is used.

Photovoltaic System

If sunlight falls on a photovoltaic system, it generates direct current.

The effectiveness of PV module depends on how perpendicular the sunrays fall on the PV. If PV is facing toward the sun, it produces maximum power. Stationary solar panels cannot face toward the sun all day as sun moves. However, maximum radiation depends on two other aspects of stationary solar panels. One is the direction and the other is the tilt angle of the panels. A meter long panels can generate maximum of 1000W, if sunlight strikes directly on it. Few factors affect the sunlight strikes a PV panel. When the sunlight passes through the air, air molecules such as dust, vapor, clouds, volcanoes can absorb some of the radiation. This absorbed part of radiation is known as diffuse solar radiation. Atmospheric conditions have great effect on solar radiation. The solar radiation can decrease 10% to 100% depending on

clouds.
Tilt angle: Tilt angle is the vertical angle relative to the ground. Tilt angle depends on the latitude and the specific time of the year. For fixed panel, tilt angle should be the angle of latitude. If the panel is adjustable, then the tilt angle should be latitude plus fifteen degree winter and in summer, it should be latitude minus fifteen degree. Figure 2 is showing tilt angle determination with respect to latitude.

Figure 2: Tilt angle determination

Solar Array: A solar panel is a collection of solar cells. Each of the cells generates a small amount of voltage and current. A small cell works as a P-N junction. When light falls in the cells, a voltage differential is generated in the cells. And, when it connects to the load, current starts flowing. Different modules are connected to achieve the desired amount of power. When different modules are connected together, it is called a solar array. Then, the generated power is stored in rechargeable battery. Figure 3 shows a solar panel array.