Answers to Mobile Solar Microgrid Questions
What are Hybrid Power Generators?
Hybrid power generators are generators that typically create and store power from two or more generation sources. Our packaged hybridized systems incorporate power generated from photovoltaics (PV) and a fossil fuel (e.g. diesel) generator-set, along with battery energy storage. Applications utilizing our flagship PS 1000 product enjoy increased energy and efficiency, decreased fuel consumption and emissions, and lower fuel, maintenance, and life cycle costs over a stand-alone diesel genset or any competing portable hybridized power generation solution.
What are some of the benefits of the PS 1000 Hybrid Power Generator?
- Easy to relocate and deploy
- Reduces fuel consumption and generator maintenance
- Patented face-down stow of PV panels reduces soiling/scoring and panel life
- Dual axis PV tracking + face-down stow substantially increases solar harvesting
- Eliminates need for redundant genset purchases
- Reduces emissions and noise output
- Lower life cycle cost
- Increased reliability (less down-time)
What are the problems associated with deploying stand-alone diesel and natural gas genset units?
Traditional diesel and natural gas gensets must be oversized to
supply adequate peak and transient power, and often additional gensets are required to provide system redundancy for mission-critical operations. This results in wasted fuel, additional costs, and increased emissions.
What is the benefit of dual-axis tracking and face-down stow in increasing solar harvesting?
All Polk Solar units incorporate our patented integrated dual-axis tracking technology and face-down stowage of PV panels when not in use, increasing solar harvesting by as much as 50% over non-tracking systems.
Will the PS 1000 work in bad weather, or at night?
Yes, Polk Solar’s mobile systems are able to receive charge from any light source even in low-light conditions. Through the optimization of our on-board energy storage and genset, power is delivered reliably 24/7.
How long will the solar generator supply power without sun shining on the solar array?
This depends on how much power you’re drawing, how many batteries you have in the system, how you’ve set the inverters, etc. All Polk Solar systems are configured and programmed as “true hybrids” and can either be configured with a fully integrated propane, bio-diesel or diesel generator or can easily connect to virtually any electric start generator.
Do I need a permit or license to own a Polk Solar Hybrid Generator?
Unlike a residential install our mobile generators require no permits or special licensing. Our mobile power systems are low emission and quiet.
How long does it take to set the solar generator up for full power production after towing?
About 90 minutes with 2 personnel.
What type of maintenance is involved with Polk Hybrid Solar generators?
Unlike traditional solar panel installations, Polk Solar’s patented face-down stowage feature minimizes the need for cleaning the panels and prevents scoring from the elements and increases solar harvesting by an additional 10%. Our long-life batteries are completely sealed and therefore, maintenance free. Due to lower genset operating hours over a stand-alone genset, engine and generator maintenance is significantly reduced.
How simple are these systems to learn and operate compared to a traditional stand-alone fossil fuel generator?
Polk Solar systems are extremely simple to operate — its a matter of flipping switches, pointing it south and plugging it in. Any average person can be trained to operate and use a system in 15-30 minutes.
How does the Polk Solar system aid the user during real-time operation?
Incorporates a truly intelligent user interface that communicates with the operator critical system statistics, both locally and remotely. For example, the system will alert the operator of the pending start-up of the generator in a low PV/storage condition, enabling them to reduce system demand and conserve fuel.