Solar for Disaster Preparedness and Response

Nuance Energy has made solar ground mount solar arrays portable, modular and multi-configurable and that makes solar energy an even better choice for disaster recovery and other temporary or emergency power needs.

This advanced breakthrough is made possible by the innovative design of the patented OSPREY PowerRack™. The entire pre-assembled system is a series of kits and with the 20x540W solar modules attached—can be folded flat into a compact unit that is easy to store and transport, including multiple units (up to 50) in a 20’ shipping container.

With minimal training and using only handheld power tools, a small crew can quickly and easily attach the anchor stands, install the earth anchors, tilt and secure the solar array into position, and connect the inverter and optional battery storage. From unpacking to powering-up, the entire process takes less than two hours for each of the modular 10kW units, making the OSPREY PowerRack ideal for disaster preparedness and relief.

The Solar Advantage

Diesel gensets have long been the primary source of temporary power in disaster recovery situations. But gensets need a continuous supply of fuel for as long as power is needed. So the longer it might take to fully restore the electric grid in a disaster or emergency, the better the case for solar.

With the modular OSPREY PowerRack™, deploying portable solar power is “one and done.” The system continues to provide power—for days, weeks or months—with no maintenance, except perhaps to clean the solar modules occasionally. Easy to deploy. No refueling (or exhaust fumes). Just reliable, continuous operation.

The Solar Ground Mount Advantage

The OSPREY PowerRack also has a major advantage over other portable solar power solutions: superior scalability. Ground mount solar systems scale far more cost-effectively than standalone configurations deployed on trailers, or as self-contained shipping containers. The reason is: the trailer or container is only used during shipment and is not an integral (or expensive) part of the ground mount solar racking system.

This lack of unproductive overhead gives the OSPREY PowerRack another advantage: The deployments become feasible as permanent power sources in distributed microgrids, including in hurricane-prone regions after a disaster. Rigorous testing in wind tunnels has certified a standard earth anchor as being able to secure uplift forces caused by 170 MPH winds—a category 4 hurricane. And for even greater protection, stronger and/or additional earth anchors can be used.

Green In and Out

What makes the OSPREY PowerRack™ so different from other ground mount solar systems is its innovative and unique application of the earth anchor foundation system. Earth anchors provide remarkable holding strength and can be set quickly and easily using only a handheld hammer drill in virtually any type of soil—including in parking lots or on sandy beaches. No heavy equipment. No concrete. No unsuitable sites.

The entire system is just as quickly and easily uninstalled to be “lifted and shifted” to another site or stored in preparation for the next disaster in need of an emergency solar power system. The only things left behind are the relatively inexpensive earth anchors, and those can also be removed if necessary. Such environmental stewardship is, after all, consistent with solar power as a clean, renewable source of energy.

Many building departments and authorities holding jurisdiction (AHJ) are now requiring large scale solar or commercial solar arrays to have a “Decommissioning Plan” after the life of the system. The OSPREY PowerRack has practically no cost to removal when compared to any other traditional ground mount system because it uses our patented earth anchor foundation technology. However, other archaic solar systems that used miles of underground steel piles or helical ground screws will have to be removed or decommissioned. You can only imagine this labor and logistical cost and nightmare involved. Should have used the Osprey.

To learn more about our complete range of turnkey solar solutions, schedule a free consultation with a Nuance Energy representative today.

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