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Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Subs and Habitats: Solar Power
I think it would still be possible, especially for a habitat. Most navigational markers and many yachts have solar panels, as long as they're high enough above the water salt doesn't seem to be a problem. They wouldn't be *on* the habitat, obviously, but on a separate floating power station or shore unit, as you mentioned. For a remote habitat, it might be viable.
As far as being on a sub, I was thinking that they could be "deployed" when surfaced and kept stowed otherwise. This would be for a long-distance, week-long cruise, for instance. Maybe not enough to recharge everything, but an extra benefit to help conserve the main fuel.
Natural gas.... interesting idea. It would have to be in an already-commercialized area where gas connections are available, correct?
-Benjamin Arie
On Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 10:51 AM, Brian Cox
<ojaivalleybeefarm@dslextreme.com> wrote:
Ben,
I think
that would be a difficult thing to accomplish. You would have to protect
the solar panels from the salt water, which would be tough. It might make
sense to have them charging a battery pod on shore though. On
a sub you most likely would not be at the proper angle for optimum solar
exposure, unless you were stationary. Since we have an abundance of
natural gas I wonder what the feasibility of a natural gas power plant would
be?
Brian
Of course we've all thought about
using solar panel as a method of recharging batteries, particularly for a
surface-supplied habitat or surfaced sub.
Here's an interesting tool to estimate monthly or annual solar power
energy in a geographic location:
Looks like the best place for solar-powered sub is... the middle of
Arizona. Wait a sec.......
-Benjamin Arie