Photovoltaic powered highway camera surveillance system

Abstract

Energy from the Sun is being used to power numerous applications; from hot water in the home to powering an electric car. One form of solar energy supplies power by photovoltaic cells that converts sunlight to electrical energy. This energy is used to power a variety of electrical devices. One sector of the transportation industry provides various highway safety equipment which requires various forms of electrical power to operate along roadways. One such device is a closed-circuit television system which provides surveillance capabilities on highways. Most installations are near utility power, but a few are in remote locations without electric power. The author describes how photovoltaic (PV) power systems are capable of providing the needed electrical power for various transportation devices, including surveillance television systems. He details how, as a demonstration, a PV system was designed and constructed to power a camera surveillance system on an expressway in Florida, USA.