PV Powering A Weather Station For Severe Weather

A natural disaster, such as Hurricane Andrew, destroys thousands of homes and businesses. The destruction from this storm left thousands of people without communications, potable water, and electric power. This prompted the Florida Solar Energy Center to study the application of solar electric power for use in disasters. During this same period, volunteers at the Tropical Prediction Center at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the Miami Office of the National Weather Service (NWS) were working to increase the quantity and quality of observations received from home weather stations. Many weather data collecting stations are at remote sites, which are not readily serviced by dependable commercial power. Photovoltaic modules generate electricity and when connected to a battery can operate as a stand-alone power system. This paper discusses the design criteria, operation, construction and deployment of a prototype solar powered weather station