Solar panels are the most popular type of renewable power generation at Black Rock City. Wind turbine generators can also be an excellent power source if safely installed and maintained. What ever type of system you may be interested in, success begins with education. The RAT firmly believes that the first step in designing and building a successful system is to have a basic understanding about how renewable energy works. We encourage everyone who is new to using renewable energy for powering their installations to first complete the RAT's Solar Power 101 online course. 

Solar Panels  

• Solar panels take the energy from the sun's photons and convert it into a voltage that provides electric current flow. Panels are made up of a series of photo voltaic cells and can make up a group of panels called an array. 

• Average solar panels generate between 200 and 400 watts of power. That means the panels can produce 200 or 400 watts of electricity per hour in ideal conditions. Higher output panels in the 500-700 watt range are becoming more available and affordable.

• Solar panels need to be durable enough to survive transportation and handling, wind, dust and occasional rainstorms. The panels should be installed on support structures so that the panels are secured from the wind and the risk of being runover. 

• It is important to frequently clean the playa dust off the panels to maintain a high level of power output.

Wind Turbine Generators  

• The Black Rock Desert is famously windy and wind turbine generators are an excelllent source of power.

• The generators need to be safely installed at a height above the surrounding built environment to provide an adequate flow of wind.

• Elevated platforms are increasingly popular at Black Rock City and they can be the perfect location for supporting wind turbine generators.

Batteries  

• Rechargeable batteries can range from AAA size to utility scale mobile battery systems.

• There are three main types of battery technologies that are used at Black Rock City: 

  • • Lead acid

    • Lithium-ion - lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide and lithium iron phosphate

    • Nickel based

• Each of these battery technologies has its own set of unique characteristics. 

"High Tech" Batteries  

• "High Teach" batteries are available that have built in Battery Management Systems (BMS) that monitor the battery:

  • • Providing battery protection

    • Estimating the battery’s operational state

    • Continually optimizing battery performance

    • Reporting operational status to external devices

Charge Controllers  

• A charge controller limits the rate at which electric current is added to or drawn from electric batteries to protect against electrical overload, overcharging, and may protect against overvoltage. 

Converters and Inverters

• Converters are electrical devices that convert the voltage from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). 

• Inverters are electrical devices that convert the voltage from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). 

• Solar panels and batteries produce DC power. Your load may be DC and/or 120 Volt AC, which is common for all household devices in the US. The inverter converts DC power into 120 Volt AC power. Converters are used to raise or lower DC voltage such as dropping down 12 Volt DC to 5 Volt DC for a USB charging port. 

Power Supply Wiring and Connections  

• The system needs to be grounded and power supply wiring and connections need to be able to meet the maximum power use requirements without overheating or causing circuit breakers to trip. 

• The cables and electrical connectors must be insulated and never have any exposed wires or connections that could electrocute people who interact with the installations. 

• Exposed wiring connections must be properly secured in component boxes or cabinets. 

• A safe way to protect electric cables is to bury them 6-12 inches under the playa surface.

Storage and Security  

• Renewable energy system components are valuable and Black Rock City is a desirable target to thieves.

• Batteries and components should be stored together in strong weather resistant cabinets or structures with locks, and this option can reduce the risk of weather damage, vandalism, theft, and above all accidental electrocution.

• A ventilation system may be required to prevent the components from overheating and ensure optimal performance. 

Environmental Concerns  

• Solar panels, wind generators, batteries and other system components comprise sustainable energy sources, but what happens when they no longer work? 

• The renewable energy market has grown significantly in the past several years. With the increasing number of system components being sold and installed in the United States each year, they are ending up in the waste stream as well. While recycling is not yet widespread, organizations are busy laying the important groundwork to build the necessary collection, management and recycling systems.