What looks like a standard shipping container can transform into a large solar power plant.
The Solarcontainer is a mobile solar energy system designed to provide electricity in locations where a permanent solar installation may not be practical. Instead of transporting and installing hundreds of separate solar panels, the system stores its photovoltaic modules inside a container for transportation.
Once it reaches its destination, the panels unfold to create a large solar array.
240 Solar Panels in a Compact System
The Solarcontainer contains 240 photovoltaic modules. When fully deployed, the panels cover an area of approximately 720 square meters. The unfolded system has a panel length of about 116 meters and can provide up to 140 kWp of power-generating capability.
This allows a large solar installation to be transported in a much smaller footprint and deployed where electricity is needed.
Designed for Fast Deployment
One of the main features of the Solarcontainer is its deployment time. According to the specifications provided, the system can be assembled in up to five hours. Once deployed, the solar panels form a large power-generating array without requiring a conventional permanent solar farm.
This makes the system suitable for temporary or changing locations where electricity infrastructure needs to be installed relatively quickly.
Built Around a 20-Foot High-Cube Container
The base of the Solarcontainer uses a solid floor frame with the same length and width as a 20-foot high-cube container. The container measures approximately 6 meters long, 2.4 meters wide, and 2.9 meters high when transported. The complete system weighs less than 20 tonnes.
When unfolded, the solar array extends to approximately 116 meters in length and covers around 720 square meters.
For Off-Grid and On-Grid Applications
The Solarcontainer can be used for both off-grid and on-grid applications. Its portable design makes it suitable for remote locations where connecting to an existing electricity network may be difficult. It can also provide temporary power for construction sites, events, and other locations that need additional electricity.
The system can also be used during rescue missions and disaster-relief operations, where temporary power infrastructure can be important.
Mobile Power for Construction Sites and Events
Construction sites often need electricity before permanent infrastructure is available. A portable solar system can provide an alternative source of renewable power during this stage. The Solarcontainer can also be transported to events and other temporary installations where electricity is required for a limited period.
After use, the solar array can be folded back into its container-based configuration and transported to another location.
A Large Solar Array That Travels in a Container
The Solarcontainer takes a familiar shipping-container format and turns it into a mobile solar power system. With 240 photovoltaic modules, approximately 720 square meters of deployed solar surface, up to 140 kWp of power-generating capability, and an assembly time of up to five hours, it is designed for situations where large amounts of temporary solar power are needed.
Rather than building a permanent solar farm at every location, the concept allows the solar installation itself to be transported to where it is needed.
Source: Solarcontainer
