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