Regional airport in Brazil located in the part of the World with one of the highest photovoltaic potential. For this airport, solar LED airfield lighting is the best option as it saves money on electricity and required minimum maintenance.
OPERATIONS PER DAY
HOURS OF ILLUMINATED RUNWAY REQUIRED
International cargo airport serving one of the fastest growing and developing cities in Nigeria. Because S4GA solar LED airfield lighting operates 365 days on solar energy, it can save thousands of USD on electricity costs annually for the airport.
OPERATIONS PER DAY
HOURS OF ILLUMINATED RUNWAY REQUIRED
Domestic airport located on the island of Sumba. Because airfield is located on a remote island, traditional wired runway lighting is very expensive in terms of installation and maintenance. Solar runway lighting is the most cost-effective solution.
OPERATIONS PER DAY
HOURS OF ILLUMINATED RUNWAY REQUIRED
Once a location is determined, we utilize the PERFORMANCE OF OFF-GRID PV SYSTEMS feature on the PVGIS portal to calculate the performance of the Solar S4GA system that is not connected to the electricity grid; instead, it relies on a power bank to supply energy to the lights when the sun is not shining.
PVGIS enables us to evaluate how much solar energy the S4GA light can generate from its solar panels. Furthermore, we can precisely measure the energy consumption of the S4GA light during one hour of operation.
PVGIS relies on solar energy and meteorological data, including cloud cover, temperature, and humidity, collected over the past 15 years. This extensive dataset enables PVGIS to predict energy generation with 100% certainty. Consequently, feasibility studies conducted based on PVGIS data are guaranteed to be 100% accurate.
We can utilize PVGIS to assess monthly consumption and power generation to sustain a charged battery year-round. In months where empty battery days are anticipated, we should reduce consumption by limiting the system’s operating hours.
By reducing consumption, we eliminate the risk of empty battery days for the entire month. Employing an iterative method, we can establish the daily operating hours for the light in each month of the year to ensure no blackout risk (zero days with an empty battery).
The goal of the solar autonomy methodology is to ensure a solar lighting system can consistently meet an airport’s operational requirements.
Feasibility Study Overview
The solar autonomy methodology for airports starts with the Feasibility Study. This stage determines if the S4GA solar system can fulfill the airport’s operational lighting requirements.
Determining Daily Lighting Needs
The primary step involves calculating the airport’s daily lighting requirements. For example, if an airport has 10 daily flights, with each flight requiring half an hour of lighting, the airport will need 5 hours of lighting every day.
What’s Solar Autonomy of a Specific Region?
Solar autonomy refers to the capability of a solar system to provide power without relying on external sources, based on the solar energy available in a particular region. It’s influenced by factors like geographical location, local weather conditions, and the duration and intensity of sunlight received. In essence, solar autonomy gives a clear picture of how reliable and sustainable a solar solution might be in a specific area.
For airports, understanding the solar autonomy of their region helps in estimating how consistently a solar system can power their operations.
Simulation of Solar Autonomy
After determining the lighting needs, a simulation for the specific airport location is carried out to measure solar autonomy. This process calculates how long the solar system can run without facing a power blackout. When this duration is known, it’s compared with the airport’s lighting needs. If the solar system’s operational duration meets or surpasses the airport’s requirements, it’s considered a good match. If not, the system might not be appropriate for that location or those specific operational needs.
Benefits for Regional Airports
Solar autonomy is especially beneficial for regional airports that have limited flight schedules. The main challenge is ensuring the solar system consistently meets the airport’s operational needs. If an airport’s demands exceed what the solar system can provide, using the energy stored in the batteries becomes an essential backup plan. Clear communication with airport officials is crucial. If, after evaluation, the solar system isn’t aligned with the airport’s needs, it might not be the right solution.
