As businesses globally are shifting towards the solar energy for its environmental and economic benefits, they are encountering challenges like fluctuating energy supply, battery efficiency, and the need for low-power-consuming equipment due to limited power storage. Recognizing these issues, At AVCOMM, we innovated to introduce compact, energy-efficient devices designed to perform optimally with lower power inputs, directly addressing the hurdles faced in transitioning to solar energy while advancing sustainability goals.
Operational Hurdles in Solar-Powered Ventures
Low battery at night
Solar-powered circuits, while a leap forward in sustainable energy use, especially in applications from consumer electronics to large-scale industrial operations, face several limitations and challenges. These challenges not only affect the general efficiency and reliability of solar energy but also specifically impact devices like solar-powered CCTV installations in the solar farms in Texas, where consistent power supply is critical.
Intermittency of Solar Power:
The reliance on sunlight makes solar energy an intermittent source. Variability due to weather, time of day, and seasonal changes disrupts power generation, affecting devices installed in remote locations that require a steady power supply, which then causes operational issues like loss of connectivity.
Energy Storage Constraints:
Solar systems use batteries for energy storage to mitigate intermittent, but the efficiency, cost, and lifespan of these batteries limit the system's overall performance. For solar-powered CCTV installations, inadequate storage means compromised functionality, especially unexpected shutdowns during nights.
Aging of Components:
Over time, the efficiency of solar panels and batteries decreases, leading to reduced power output. This gradual degradation affects the efficiency of the circuit, affecting the long-term reliability of solar-powered cameras and ethernet switches.
Mitigating the Hurdles
In light of these challenges, there emerges a pressing need for industrial-grade rugged devices engineered for power efficiency. Such technology is essential not only to withstand the rigors of environmental wear and tear but also to ensure uninterrupted operations amidst fluctuating power supplies and to maintain low operational costs.
The 200 Series encompasses the 205TX, 208TX, and 216TX models, each tailored to meet different network size requirements with 5, 8, and 16 ports respectively. Key features shared across the series include:
Fast Ethernet Switching capabilities, supporting up to 16 10/100BaseT(X) RJ-45 ports.
Ultra-low power consumption efficiency, ranging from less than 5W to 10W when fully loaded, courtesy of IEEE 802.3u Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) Power Management.
Rugged IP30 housing, ensuring durability and reliability in extreme temperatures and harsh industrial environments like -40°C ~ +75°C.
Comprehensive power protection, including overload and reverse connection protection with MTBF > 2 million hours.
The Fulfillment
Texas Instrumentation & Controls, LLC. an engineering firm in Stafford, TX implemented the 208TX series across its surveillance network, yielding remarkable results:
Annual power savings of 40,000 kWh, reducing energy expenses by 30%.
Enhanced operational reliability in remote locations, thanks to the ruggedness and built in ESD and Polarity protection of the switch.
Strengthened their market position as a leader in eco-friendly security solutions.
Conclusion
Deploying the AVCOMM 200 Series' robust, energy-efficient solutions effectively countered communication breakdowns, circuit failures, and mitigated the adverse effects of environmental conditions. This ensured the seamless functionality of solar-powered systems in critical applications, such as CCTV surveillance on solar farms.