Navy Explores Mobile Solar Power

Navy Explores Mobile Solar Power A new mobile solar power prototype that reduces expeditionary energy supply needs could help the US Marine Corps (USMC) to enhance the effectiveness of forward-deployed forces and to decrease vulnerability. Now researchers at the NRL's Electronic Science and Technology Div. In collaboration with MicroLink Devices, Design Intelligence Inc. The mobile solar power system consists of a wide range of single-junction solar cells with a power conditioning circuit that maximizes array power production and charges a standard military-issue, high-capacity rechargeable lithium ion battery. deployed array produced more than 11 W per 1-sun air mass 1. The USMC Expeditionary Energy Strategy is projected to reduce fuel consumed, per Marine, per day, by 50% and reduce total weight of batteries carried by nearly 200,000 lb. Flexible solar cells with light-to-electricity conversion efficiency as high as 30 percent were demonstrated in multicell panels. "One of the most significant challenges presently facing the Marine Corps is the need to supply sufficient electricity to individual Marines in forward-operating bases," said Robert Walters, head of the National Research Laboratory's Solid State Devices Branch. 5 illumination, showing considerable promise for future production. Navy Explores Mobile Solar Power Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 15/05/2012