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