Objective
To demonstrate the suitability of a photovoltaic generator (5092 Wp) for powering a lighthouse on an uninhabited island. The PV system with electric flashing lamps which has replaced the existing propane gas lamps increased the operating range of the lighthouse from 14 miles to 21 miles and reduced maintenance requirements.
The system is regarded as very successful because it has operated without problems since 1987. The Italian Navy is convinced of the value of photovoltaics in this application. The system is fully automatic, requires no refuelling and needs very little maintenance.
The cost per unit of energy is calculated to be slightly cheaper (41 Ecu/kWh) for the pv system than for a gas system (45 Ecu/kWh).
The lighthouse employed a propane gas lamp which needed servicing every 2 weeks and refuelling. Its range was limited to 14 miles. By installing a new lamp system powered by a PV array (5092 Wp) which is mounted on the wall of the lighthouse at 90 metres above sea level on the top of the island, it is possible to reduce the maintenance requirements and the visiting schedule to one visit per month.
By developing a new dc control system, it has been possible to power the lighthouse by means of a very simple dc system employing a PV array, battery and charge controller.
The main 4690 Wp PV array consists of 70 monocrystalline Pragma modules of type 72DL wired in seven strings of 10 modules to give an operating voltage of 120 V.
The battery bank consists of 60 Fiamm batteries of type SMBF6 with a total storage capacity of 72 kWh.
The emergency 402 Wp PV array, which is mounted on a terrace of the lighthouse consists of six modules of the same type used in the main array. The array operates at 12V and feeds a 12V/100 Ah Fiam battery. The emergency system is activated by a command from the main control system.
A low power (10W min) control system ensures that the lights are switched on and off when required. The system operates for 5 sunless days.
Savings are made by reducing the numbers of maintenance visits and the number of staff needed to carry out maintenance as well as by fuel savings.
A comprehensive data recording system has been installed, in accordance with the JRC Ispra Monitoring guidelines. The data recording system includes a microcomputer and a data are stored on floppy discs. Each disc can store four months data. Since the site is vivsited on a monthly basis to clean the lamp lenses and check the system the data are recovered also on a monthly basis.
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Coordinator
00048 Nettuno
Italy
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