Solar Powered Systems for
Traffic Beacons and Related
Applications
By
Joe Wise
Solar Traffic Controls, L.L.C. “Wireless” Traffic Control Solutions
Why Use Solar Power?
No Need for AC Connection to Equipment
Minimizes Installation Costs on small
projects
Minimizes Installation Time
Self-contained System Independent of the
Power Grid
Little or No Maintenance
Typical Applications
School Zones
Game Crossings
Pedestrian Safety
Driver Feedback
Fire Station Exits
High Water
Warning
What is in a Solar Power
System?
5 Items Make up a
System
Solar Array
Charge/Load
Controller
Battery
Load
Wiring
Charge/LoadController
Wiring
SolarArray
Load
BatteryBank
Wiring
How Does Solar Work
Energy is Generated at the Sun from
Nuclear Fusion
Light Energy is Released to Space
Solar Energy Arrives at Earth
Plants Use Light to Grow
Semi-Conductors Convert Light to DC
Electricty
How is Electricity Generated
at the Solar Cell? Solar Radiation
(Light) Strikes the
Cell
Electrons are Released
from the Silicon
Atoms
Voltage and Current
are Produced
What Can An Individual Cell
Do For You? Individual Cell
Voltage is ~0.7VDC
Current Output Depends on Material and Size of Cell
Individual Cells Cannot Do Much Alone
From Cells to Solar Module
Combine Cells in
Series and Voltage
Adds Up
Combine Cells in
Parallel for Higher
Current
From Modules to Solar Arrays
Solar Modules
Come in Standard
Size Building
Blocks
Combining Them
Creates an Array
Solar Arrays Can Be Large
Sub-Arrays can be
Combined to Create
Large Systems
Systems be in the
Kilowatt Range
Solar Modules Material Affects
Efficiency/Performance Crystalline Silicon
Polycrystalline Silicon
Thin Film Silicon
(Amorphous)
CIS (Cadmium Indium
Selenide)
Gallium Arsenide
(Think NASA)
Material Affects
Efficiency in Turning
Light to Electricity
Performance can be
Impacted by
Temperature
Examples of Solar
Module Types Crystalline Modules-
High Efficiency, Glass
Face
Polycrystalline
Modules – High
Efficiency, Glass Face
Thin Film Modules-
Moderate Efficiency,
Glass or Non-Glass
Face
Electronic Controls- Power
Management Charge Controller
Manages Flow of
Power Between Solar
Module and Battery
Electronic Controls
with Solid-State
Switching or Relays
Key Features in Charge
Controllers
Solid-State
Operation Preffered
Temperature
Compensation for
Charging
Status Lamps,
Charging, LVD
Specific Controllers for
Specific Applications
Generic Battery
Charging
Lighting Controls
Water Pumping
Controls
Traffic Specific
Controls
Energy Storage- Batteries
Energy can be Stored
as Chemical Potential
Energy for Later Use
Batteries Provide
Backup for Cloudy
Weather
Different Batteries for
Different Applications
Solar Batteries are
Different Internally
than Auto Batteries
Typical Life if 5-7
Years in a Properly
Designed System
Changes That Make Solar
Power More Practical
More Efficient
Equipment (LEDs,
Radios, etc.)
Reduced Pricing for
Electronic Controls
Reduced Pricing for
Solar Modules
Improved Batteries
Specifying a Solar Power
System
Proper Project Specifications Assure
Correct Design and System Success
Know Your Location (Sunlight Levels)
Know Your Load (Amps Drawn)
Know Your Projected Duty Cycle (Average
Run Time/Day)
Think of Solar Like a Bank
Account Solar array output = Income Stream
Battery reserve = Savings
Load draw = Expenses
Balance income and savings with expenses or else!
Solar Array(Income)
BatteryBank
(Savings)
Load x DutyCycle
(Expenses)
Vendor Response
Sizing Report - Why
are you being offered
a particular solution
Detailed System
Description
Component Ratings
Projected Performance
Throughout the Year
Compare Designs for BC and
Calgary
Typical Applications for Solar
Powered Traffic Systems
Solar Flasher Application-
24-hour System Self-Contained
High Efficiency Red
LED Lamp
Automatic Night
Dimming for Power
Conservation
Solar Flasher Application-
School Zone Self-Contained
Timer Activated
SMS Activated
12” or 8” LED Lamps
1-4 Lamps per System
Solar Flasher Application- School
Zone with Radar Display
12” or 8” LED Lamps
LED or Shuttered
Pixel Display
Timer/Pager
Activation
Violator Alert
Function
AC Video Detector w/Radio
Link to Solar Flasher 170 Cabinet
Video Detection
Package
Contact Closure Radio
Link to Flasher
Solar Flasher Application-
Intersection Advance Flashers
Radio Link from
Control Cabinet to
Flashers
Interfaces to NEMA
or 170 Cabinet
Field Configured to
Flash on Red Interval
or Red and Yellow
Interval
Self-Contained High Water
Warning Flashers Electronic Sensor with
Time Filtering
Cellular Dialer Option
Radio Connection to
Traffic Control
Cabinet
Radio Link Between
Units
Distributed High-Water
Warning System-Detector Redundant Sensors
Radio Link to Slaves
Cellular Alarm Card
Redundant Alarm
Routine
Built in Self-Test
Distributed High-Water
Warning System-
Flasher/VMS
Two-Line VMS
Dual 12” LED
Flashers (1100 Cd)
Built in Self-Test
Radio Link to Master
Pager Activation for
Back Up of Radio
Solar Flasher Application- Solar
PED-X “Wireless” Crosswalks
Units Located at the
Crosswalk
Programmable Run Time
Single /Dual Beacon or
RRFB Indications
FHSS Radio Link
Fault Mode Program
Bulldog Push Button
Wireless Crosswalk
w/Protected Ped Island
Solar Ped-X RRFB
Units at and/or in
Advance of Crosswalk
FHSS Radio Link
Fault Mode Program
3”x7” LED Lamps
Solar Flasher Application- Sensor
Activated Crosswalk Flashers
Flashers Upstream
from Crosswalk
Programmable Run
Time
Radio Link with
Digital Coding
Single or Dual LED
Lamps
Solar Flasher Application-
Pedestrian Crosswalk Detector
Self-contained Sensor
Package
Smart Walk 1400
Microwave Pedestrian
Sensor
Programmable Trigger
Filter in Sensor
Low Power Radio
Transmitter with Digital
Coding
Fire Station Exit Beacon
Radio Activation
Option
Optical Activation
Option
Type 1 System with
Flashing Amber
Beacons
Type 2 Hybrid Fire Station Exit
Signal
FAQ-1
Is Solar a Viable Option in Canada?
- Yes, in many locations depending on
Location, Load and Duty Cycle!
How Long do the Batteries Last?
- 5 to 7 years is typical on a properly
designed system
FAQ-2
Is Going Solar Cheaper than AC?
- In many locations it can be when the cost of
obtaining AC power is considered
Are Batteries Really Needed?
- Yes, to store energy for backup
FAQ-3
Does Tilt Angle Matter?
- Yes, join us for a demo in the parking lot
What are the Maintenance Requirements?
- Almost no maintenance except for batteries
every 5-7 years
- Maintenance of nearby trees to prevent
shading of solar array
For More Information:
Solar Traffic Controls in the United States
at www.solar-traffic-controls.com
In Canada Contact Fortran Traffic Systems
at www.fortrantraffic.com
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