Solar Traveler

Built on a converted tandem boat trailer, the Solar Traveler features 24 photovoltaic panels donated by Brookhaven National Laboratories in Upton, NY; 16 batteries donated by Exide Corporation in Manchester, IA; a 4,000-watt inverter donated by Exeltech Corporation of Ft. Worth, TX, and a Sun Selector DC master digital power center donated by Bobier Electronics of Parkersburg, WV.

The PV panels, in six arrays stored flat on the trailer when not in use, are on custom mountings pulled out and tipped to 42 degrees for use. The 16 six-volt batteries, wired in series-parallel, operate as a 48 volt DC storage system. A waterproof steel cabinet mounted on the main frame holds the inverter, DC master power center, and three 120-volt ground fault protected outlets. The inverter delivers up to 3,000 watts of continuous 120-volt AC power of quality that matches or exceeds that of any power company. Contained within the DC master are a 250-amp fused battery disconnect, six circuit breakers, and a C-40 Xantrex charge control system. The three outlets, capable of delivering fifteen amps each, can power lights, motors and electronics with pure sine wave 120 volt AC power.

In full sun the power center automatically keeps the batteries from overcharging, but delivers power to them if they are down or directly to the inverter if AC power is being drawn.

The unit is used as a traveling display to promote solar power and renewable energy and to power other events around the state. It has provided power for I-Renew's Energy Expos since 1997. It provided power to campers and RVs on the site during the two nights of the 1997 & '98 expos. It traveled across Iowa with RAGBRAI 98's 10,000-15,000 bicyclists, providing power for entertainment events each afternoon and evening of the week-long event. Since 1999 it has provided power to the Iowa State Fair, where it has powered the American Heritage Sound Stage for ten hours of music and entertainment each day of the eleven-day Fair. Recently, the Solar Traveler has also provided power for a wedding reception, a construction site, Earth Day & other miscellaneous festivals, a renewable energy documentary screening, as well as at the Alliant Energy Electrathon Race in Muscatine.

Great possibilities exist with the 4,000 watts of pure sine wave power, 16 kWh of storage, and nearly a kilowatt of PV power on hand to power all kinds of on- or off-grid events.