trailer world issue Two 2010

The Belgian company Jan Creacar has launched a mobile solar power station.

Ausgabe Zwei 2010 27 Portrait Diesel generators usually supply the power for open air events. These generating sets are loud and not necessarily environment-friendly. Another solution is in sight: power generated quietly using the sun as the main source of energy. Solar power station on two axles Jans Creacar in Hoeselt, Belgium, turns even 100 m² screens into easily moved transport units. Mobile customised products are the trademark of the company founded in 1929. Now Creacar has joined forces with the Catholic Limburg University in Ghent to develop a solar cell trailer that functions as a completely self-contained mini power station, using solar power to generate elec- tricity. In July, the prototype survived its first major test at the Rock Werchter music festival near Brussels. The so-called Mobile Solar Power Trail- er is a two-axle trailer weighing 3.5 tonnes with a hydraulic telescopic mast that sup- ports the solar cell panels. At the touch of a button, these unfold to their full size of 31 m². Hinged stands at the four outer points of the trailer stabilise the system while in operation. Operational safety is important Creacar has deliberately opted for BPW when it comes to the axles. “In the past, oth- er axles have been used for our special trail- ers with a higher centre of gravity and under maximum load. However, we encountered problems with the ball bearings and brake systems, as well as the approval procedures. But we attach great importance to a high level of operational safety, even if this costs more”, explains Bruno Jans, Managing Director at Creacar. The whole structure can be handled by one person alone and is erected within 10 min- utes. It doesn’t matter how the trailer is posi- tioned: the solar panels align themselves au- tomatically at the optimum angle to the sun. “The principle is unique. The solar cells move automatically with the sun to achieve a very high level of efficiency”, says Jans. As soon as the solar system generates more energy than currently needed, the surplus is stored in low-maintenance gel batteries that act as interim storage. If light levels decrease to such a point that the energy demand is no longer covered by the solar cells alone, the bat- teries then release the energy stored in them. In the worst case where there is no sun at all and the batteries are flat at the same time, an emergency generating set is connected in to supply power for the consumers on the one hand while recharging the batteries 80% on the other. Demonstrating what is possible When the sun is shining to the full, the so- lar panels produce maximum 4,000 watt. On a normal sunny day, 2,500 watt can be provided in solar battery operation over a period of 8 to 24 hours (depending on how long the sun shines). Without additional feed of solar en- ergy, the eight 12 volt batteries produce 5,000 watt over three hours in constant operation, while the emergency generating unit gener- ates 4,500 watt. Once the batteries are flat, it takes 1.4 hours to recharge them with the gen- erator and 2.3 hours with solar power. The service parameters and possible uses of the solar trailer are still limited and appear to be comparatively modest, but even so, the prototype demonstrates what is possible in principle. At Creacar they are certain that the Mobile Solar Power Trailer is only the begin- ning, and that the generation of “green” en- ergy will become even more interesting with on-going further developments in photo- voltaic technology. (aw) »Other axles caused problems under maximum load.« Bruno Jans, Managing Director at Jans Craecar Issue Two 2010 27

trailer world issue Two 2010

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