Salient_Characteristics.docx

30-Watt Solar Panels, Mounting Brackets, and Solar Charge Controllers

The USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility needs to purchase 30 watt solar panels. These solar panels are used, to charge 12-volt power systems, at various remote data collection sites all over the country.

30-Watt Solar Panels Electrical:

Rated power output: 30 Watts (minimum) Power tolerance: +/- 10 %, maximum Short Circuit Output Current, (Isc): 1.80 Amps, minimum Open Circuit Output Voltage, (Voc): 16.0V Voc 24.0V

Physical/Mechanical:

Length: 27” maximum (desired) Width: 20” maximum (desired) Depth/Thickness: 2 inches maximum, including frame Weight: 9 lbs maximum, including frame Frame: Corrosion-resistant aluminum or other lightweight metal Impact Resistance: Withstands 1” diameter hailstone at 50 mph (desired)

Electrical Cable:

Type/Size: 2-conductor, 18 AWG (minimum) Length: 15 Feet minimum, either permanently attached to the panel or connected in a sealed junction box on the back of the panel

Warranty:

Minimum 10-year limited for 90% power output

Solar Charge Controller/Regulator

Electrical:

Rated solar panel size: 30 Watts minimum Rated solar input: 3 Amps minimum Series design (not shunt regulated) Battery type selection: Sealed or Flooded externally selectable by user via jumper, switch setting or similar Power usage (Self-consumption): 10 mA maximum Temperature compensation of charge/output voltage

Selectable battery types (sealed or vented) “Charging” light/indicator

Physical/Mechanical:

Corrosion-resistant case Marine rated terminals Tabs or mounting feet with holes for panel mounting screws Operating temperature: -40 to +85 degrees C Terminals accommodate wire sizes up to #10 AWG

Solar Panel Mounting Hardware

General Features:

· Side-of-pole type mount

· Works on pipe sizes up to 2-inch pipe

· All mounting parts and hardware are corrosion-resistant aluminum or stainless steel

· Fully adjustable for azimuth (0 – 360 degrees) and elevation (0 – 90 degrees, minimum)

· Accepts standard size U-bolts and band clamps for attaching to pipe/mast

· Employs standard SAE bolts, nuts, washers, etc… easily replaced by users

· Size of mounting arm for solar panel must accommodate standard solar panels up to 30 Watts (minimum)

Packaging/Marking

Each solar panel, including solar charger and mounting hardware, shall be individually boxed in one carton. The vendor shall affix the Government supplied bar code labels to each box. Government bar code labels will be supplied following contract award.

Sample

USGS reserves the right to request a production sample of the proposed product, for evaluation, prior to contract award.

Suggest: Model BSP3012 with mounting kit (HPM18/30) and solar charge controller SS6-12V.