SunBlazer IV
The SunBlazer IV is a next-generation product that is an easy-to-install PV solar-based community charging station.
The next-generation product in the SunBlazer series, the IEEE Smart Village SunBlazer IV, has scalable features designed to provide reliable sustainable energy solutions to off-grid communities around the world.
IEEE Smart Village aims to relate across boundaries, incubate new designs with community input, demonstrate sustainable local market enterprise, and educate through linked learning communities.
These goals draw principally on the work of IEEE engineers and partner educators to develop synergistic and holistic community solutions. SunBlazer IV aims to service smaller villages cost-effectively at the same time introducing a simple scaling model with added reliability through redundancy. Numbers of systems can be deployed throughout a community to provide many kilowatts of power as the community grows its demands.
Simultaneously, a reciprocal learning training and education model will enrich the knowledge and experience of students, engineers, and development practitioners globally.
How it Works
SunBlazer IV is a mobile solar 1,800W to 3,600W base station including 100-200Ah at 24V station batteries and portable battery kits (PBKs) for home lighting. Each PBK has an auxiliary outlet for other DC powered devices in the home such as cellphones or small entertainment devices.
Assuming an average three to four-day return for recharge and two charging shifts for the 12Ah PBK batteries, with 6 chargers the basic unit with two four-hour charging shifts will support 36 home lighting systems of 2-4W LED bulbs. With 12 chargers (12-pack) it can support 60 12Ah units.
The solar panels are held in a stand-alone A-frame with adjustable solar angle. The heavy duty steel box containing the electronics can rest under the frame, or on a concrete pad nearby. The assembly needs protection by a security fence, or alternatively the box could go indoors and the panels mounted on a roof.
All PBKs and stations will contain a monitoring and telemetry feature to record by battery serial number/lessee every time a PBK is charged.
For larger home or base loads, multiple SunBlazer IV’s with expansion capacity can be deployed.
SUNBLAZER II UNIT SPECIFICATIONS
| SPECIFICATIONS | MECHANICAL |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Station Box 48”W x 24”D x 28”H Setup (4 to 12 solar panels) 83 to 197”L x 80”W x 78”H (PV panel pivot point) |
| Weight | 1100 lbs. 6 solar panels, 2-200 Ah station batteries |
| Sun Angle Adj. | -45 to +45 deg. |
| Terrain Requirement | Flat, ground anchor options available |
| Frame Construction | Galvanized steel and stainless steel hardware |
| Station Box Construction | Powder-coated steel |
| Mobility | Station box is Self-contained. A-Frame breaks down to 8’ sections. Simple tools for assembly |
| Security | Electronics and station batteries are accessible only by operator. Keyed locks. |
| Typical set-up time | 2 hours with 2 people (6 panels) |
| SPECIFICATIONS | ELECTRICAL |
|---|---|
| Solar panels | Base Unit: 6-300 watt panels for 1800 watts total Expanded Unit: 12-300W panels for 3,600 total |
| Solar Generation (6, 9 or 12 panels) | Base Unit: 9 kWh/day in equatorial regions Expanded Unit w/12 panels: 18 kWh/day |
| Station Batteries | Base Unit: 2 to 4 12V 200Ah FLA flooded lead acid, AGM, Gel or LiFePO4 wired as 24 volts. Expanded unit allows additional batteries in separate station box. |
| Solar Charge Controller | 3 stage MPPT, temperature compensated, automatic load disconnect if batteries are <50% charged and re-connection upon charge |
| Sub Chargers for Universal Portable Battery Kits (PBK’s) | 6 charging channels for 12V 12Ah LiFePO4 PBK batteries, or 12 charging channels for 12-12Ah PBK’s simultaneously. Each channel has 3 stages with LED indication of completed charge. |
| PBK Charge | 4-hour charge time with capacity to s |
| AC Output (optional) | 1500 watts at 230 VAC 50 or 60 Hz (expandable upon request) |
| AC Input (optional) | 230 VAC battery charger if standby generator or grid AC is accessible |