Introducing Cooper Crouse-Hinds Solar Power!
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Solar Power
Background
What is it, how does it work
Component functions, ratings,
certifications
Information needed to select
Competition
Product info, pricing, lead-times,
tech support
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Background
 Why are photovoltaic (solar power) panel assemblies needed?
– cost effective alternative
– to provide power where or when line power is not available
– Other methods, eg generator, fuel cell, wind not practical
 Why is CCH offering?
– wireless I/O, also applications for lighting, instruments, sensors
 Why not just offer batteries?
 What is the difference between solar for ordinary locations and
for Division 2 hazardous locations?
 Key questions to select:
– what location to install? (ie how much sun?)
– what load, in amperes? (size the panel and the battery)
– how often will the load need power?
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Terminology
 Off grid: solar power with battery backup
 Grid tie: tied into utility power
 Stand-alone: large (KW) solar power
assembly
 Hybrid: standalone coupled with generator
 Inverter: electronic equipment to convert
DC voltage from solar to AC for load
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Benefits of solar power modules
 Eliminate need for power infrastructure,
and the time and costs to install
 Enables monitoring/control in remote
applications
 Modules are easy to install,
minimal maintenance required
 Pre-wired per the NEC/CEC
minimize installation time and wiring errors
 Quality components maximize reliability and
system life
 Systems can be designed for higher load and
voltage requirements (other than wireless)
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Applications
Installed with remotely located devices and equipment
Examples:
 Obstruction lighting in remote locations
 Instrumentation
 Cathodic protection
 Navigational aids
 Seismic monitoring
 Video surveillance
 Irrigation monitoring and control
 Telecommunications
 Tank and well level monitors
 Flow meters
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Benefits to customers
Enhance Safety and Productivity
 Supply power to monitor remote assets and their locations to improve emergency
response time and eliminate time-consuming, on-site inspection
 Solar is a mature technology used in applications requiring safe/reliable power
sources
Reduce Operation and Labor Costs
 Eliminate infrastructure needed to develop line power in remote applications
 Pre-wired kits allow for quick installation by any qualified electrician
 Maintenance-free battery life eliminates battery replacement for 4+ years
Reliable Performance in Any Environment
 Recommended temperature range: -30ºC to 50ºC
(consult factory for more extreme temperatures)
 Class I, Division 2 assemblies available
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Solar Module Review
 Thin Film
 Mono or Single Crystalline
 Poly or Multi Crystalline
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Solar Module Review
 Thin Film Modules
– Larger area for the same electrical output
(2X)
– Lower efficiency about 7%
– Does well in low light levels and off angle
radiation
– Does not perform well in high temperatures
– Lighter weight, no tempered glass
– 6% market share
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Solar Module Review
 Mono Crystalline Modules
– Smaller footprint
– High efficiency about 18%
– Most expensive to manufacture
– 37% market share
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Solar Module Review
 Poly or Multi Crystalline Modules
– Smaller footprint than thin film
– High efficiency about 16%
– Not as expensive to manufacture as Mono
– 57% market share
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PV Module (Solar Panel)
Photovoltaic Module
 Made of high efficiency polycrystalline silicon
modules, capable of weathering any environment.
 High efficiency, small footprint – more compact
than other solar technologies
 Fully encapsulated panel resists harsh weather
conditions (hazardous environments, hail, rain,
90mph wind)
 Integral junction box with terminal connection
block with pre-installed UV rated cable, providing
ease of installation
 25 year expected life
 Installation angles are important for performance
and maintenance
Solar Panel
• FM Certified:
- Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, D
Higher efficiency, smaller profile, longer life than
other comparable solar tech panels (e.g. thin film)
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Mounting Structures
 Roof & Ground Mount
 Rapid Rac
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Mounting Structures
 Top of Pole
– Single module
– Multi module
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Mounting Structures
Side of Pole
– Single module
– Multi module
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Regulator (aka controller)
 Efficient and reliable solid state components
 Maintains health of the battery, prevents severe
discharging
 Rated for 25% overloads
 Encapsulated electronics with marine rated
terminals for superior corrosion resistance
 Temperature compensation provides reliable power
supply at extreme temperatures
 Green charging / red low voltage disconnect (LVD)
indicators-- help expedite troubleshooting
Regulator
• UL Listed:
- UL 1604
• FM Certified:
- Class I, Division 2, Groups
A, B, C, D
- CSA 22.2 No. 213-M1987
Regulators channel the sun’s energy to the equipment when needed,
or charge the battery when energy is not required
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Battery Technologies
There are three (3) general types of battery
technologies that are used in photovoltaic (PV)
off-grid application
Flooded
AGM
Gelled
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Battery Technologies
Flooded
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Battery Technologies
Flooded
Most common in Home Power applications
Large size offering
Requires controlled environment
Non sealed system
Requires quarterly inspections to determine
electrolyte level and specific gravity
Less initial cost
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Battery Technologies
AGM
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Battery Technologies
AGM
Absorbed Glass Mat
Sealed system- All gases are recombined and
returned to battery system
Electrolyte is suspended in a glass mat
Large range of product sizes, many manufacturers
Confused often with a gel-cell
Lower cost and shorter cycling life than
gelled electrolyte
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Battery Technologies
Gelled Electrolyte
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Battery Technologies
Gelled electrolyte
 Designed for maintenance-free deep cycling
solar applications
 Sealed, valve-regulated, gelled electrolyte
 Low stand loss minimizes deterioration between
transport and storage
 Non-spillable ICAO, IATA, and DOT ratings
ensure safe transport without the need for
special containers
 Handles heat better than AGM or Flooded
Battery
• UL Listed:
UL1989
 Higher initial cost, heavier weight
Specifically designed batteries supply power to
the load when sunlight decreases or at night
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Battery Technologies
Does depth of discharge affect cycle life?
Yes! The harder any battery has to work, the sooner it will fail.
The shallower the average discharge, the longer the life. This is why it’s
important to size a battery system to deliver at least twice the average
power required, to assure shallow discharges.
Typical Battery Cycling Ability vs. Depth of Discharge
Capacity Withdrawn
100%
80%
50%
25%
10%
Typical Life Cycles
Gel
AGM
450
150
600
200
1000
370
2100
925
5700
3100
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Circuit Protection
 Compact DIN rail mounted design
 Isolates and protects all
components and terminals, factory
wired
 Canadian certifications in process
 FM approved circuit protectors are
available for use in Class I, Division
2 hazardous applications.
Circuit Protectors
• UL Listed:
- UL 489
- UL 1077
• FM Certified:
- Class I, Division 2,Groups A, B, C, D
Units < 10A: T6
Units > 10A: T4A
Ensures the protection of all components.
Provides convenient, quick disconnect for user.
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Enclosure
 Corrosion resistant, aluminum enclosures house all
electrical components (battery / regulator / wiring),
improve system reliability, and minimize maintenance
 Prewired for ease of installation, terminals clearly marked
 Different mounting options possible (poles, walls, or other
structures)
 Trunk latches provided for NEMA 3R seal
 Customer may determine where to locate cable entries
Enclosure
• UL Listed:
- UL 508A, NEMA 3R (standard);
NEMA 4 and 4X options available
Protects solar kit components and wiring from the elements,
allows for safe air exchange for the battery, prewired control
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Catalog Numbering Logic
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Sizing Solar Arrays
(4) Questions that your customer will be able to
provide the answer to:
1 - What is the power consumption expressed as
either watts or amps
2 - Duty-cycle…How long is the equipment
running, continuous, intermittent, etc.
3 - What is the equipment voltage, generally but
not always this is: 12VDC / 24VDC / 48VDC
4 - Where is the geographic location for the
system, different locations have different solar
resource values
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Selecting a System
STEP ONE
Determine the equivalent sun hours
of the application you would like to
install a solar kit into.
Example:
Atlanta, GA  4.0 Equivalent Sun Hours
In case you are wondering,
Syracuse, NY …1.5 (ESH)
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Selecting a System
STEP TWO
Determine the load requirements for your application in Amp-hours / day.
For wireless applications, determine the power of your device in amps
(for CCH wireless radio power consumption, refer to the calculator on our website:
http://www.crouse-hinds.com/wirelessIO/Calculator/Files/CCHSolarCalc.xls
STEP THREE
Determine the duty cycle (i.e. 100% for continuous vs. 50% for 12 hours per day) of your load.
STEP FOUR
Adjust for a 1.2 service factor to account for load requirement variability
STEP FIVE
Select the solar kit capable of meeting or exceeding the load requirements (in Amp-hours /
day) for your application.
Note: Assemblies for higher load requirements are available.
Load requirement (Amp-hours / day) = (amps of device x duty cycle x 1.2) x 24 hours / day
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Selecting a System
Example:
200 mA device, continuous duty cycle, Atlanta GA
Load requirement = (200 mA x 100% x 1.2) x 24 hours / day = 5,760 mA-hr / day
Load requirement = 5.8 Amp-hours / day used in a region which has 4 equivalent sun hours
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Pricing, lead-times, etc
Pricing: loaded for all cataloged
items, other load reqts by request
Lead-time: 2-3 weeks ARO (US)
Tech support: Adam Dix, Joe
Geswaldo, Dave Holloway
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Summary
 CCH Solar Panel Assemblies provide:
– Remote source power for wireless and other uses
– Performance and long life from reliable, field
proven components
– Ease of installation from modular design, and
prewired components
– Low TCO due to proven components with low
maintenance requirements
– A logical solution to sell along with CCH Wireless
I/O applications in remote areas
– Assemblies for higher load requirements, or
grid-tie, consult factory
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