VPowerMod-Single Pole - Tactical Power Supply

FTL Solar, New York, N.Y., United States

FTL Solar produces fabrics that make electricity when held up to the sun and manufactures tents and fabric products out of them. Flexible, solar photovoltaic (PV) film is permanently integrated into the surface of the tent fabric.

The PowerMod-Single Pole is a 20' by 20' power supply structure supported by a single guyed pole. It is the fastest portable kilowatt of solar power in the world. It can provide sufficient electricity from sunlight to power lighting, air circulation devices and personal communication and computing equipment for a squad of solders. Alternatively, it can be used to power refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.

The PowerMod-Single Pole reduces the need for portable generators and gasoline, the delivery of gasoline, and the number of convoys—reducing the risk to soldiers. PowerMod-Single Pole encourages and recognizes increasing levels of on-site renewable energy self-supply. It is the first large-scale fabric product that reduces the environmental and economic impacts associated with fossil fuel energy use.

The folded-up flexible PV fabric structure and the telescoped-down support column weigh only 75 lbs and set up with two solders in 10 minutes. The balance of systems (BOS) box includes high-density storage devices (batteries) that provide energy only when needed and in the exact amount to meet demand. The PowerMod-Single Pole produces .75 kilowatts of power. The module’s total energy output is 2.8 kilowatt hours per day. Daily energy created can be calculated using five hours of sunlight (standard test conditions) and a total electrical system efficiency factor of 75 percent. Power is stored in twin batteries in the BOS box with a charge controller and an inverter. Multiple PowerMod-Single Pole units can be installed at one location to create a power plant. An installation using 36 modules, for example, produces 100 kilowatts per day.

The system is designed so that individual 20' by 20' flexible PV fabric modules can be switched out and replaced with new panels as upgrades in flexible PV fabric technology and power output occur.

A compact, durable compass is embedded in the tent corner where the power pigtail emerges to help quickly determine south orientation. A compact, durable voltmeter with digital display is mounted in-line on the pigtail to constantly display solar power levels. The PowerMod-Single Pole provides the U.S. military with an improved modular, general purpose tent system that is energy self-supplying. It operates in a mobile environment and also has application for high quality first responder support for disaster events with FEMA.