High-voltage solar-powered navigation range design

The design, development, and testing of lighting and photovoltaic power systems for the high-voltage offshore navigational range system at Kings Bay, Georgia, are discussed. Operational requirements and solar-power limitations dictated the selection of lighting components. High-efficiency metal-halide lamps were chosen for the 120-V daytime system. Photovoltaic array and secondary storage battery configurations were designed to accommodate lighting system power requirements and expected climatic conditions. System design emphasized personnel safety and component reliability in the marine environment. The authors discuss these aspects in detail, giving particular attention to photovoltaic array design and testing. >