Stik™ Story | Research & Development | Our Facilities
Board of Directors | Board of Advisors | Careers
Investor Relations
"Nothing has really happened, until it has been recorded"
- VIRGINIA WOOLF
The Solar Stik™ is a "First-Generation" System. It is the only portable power generator system of its kind in the world and the totality of the System's attributes establishes the Solar Stik™ System as the premier product of its class. We will always strive to ensure that the Solar Stik™ is, and always will be, the “Mercedes Benz” of Portable Solar Power Generators.
Since 2005 when Solar Stik™ made its debut into the marketplace, several companies have begun the process of developing their own line of portable solar generators that emulate the proprietary designs incorporated into the Solar Stik™ System.
The reasons for using solar technology are wide and varied. The physical design of the Solar Stik™ System reflects only sound technology, physics, and proven mechanics, all of which are critical for the proper application & operation.
In-depth research and developmental testing on all Solar Stik™ System components continues to this day. The design team often works directly with end-users of the System in order to constantly improve our product line. In responding to the needs of the operator, we are able to introduce new products and System improvements that enhance capabilities and versatility. This "long-term approach" ensures that the Solar Stik™ System will evolve in accordance with the market forces that drive the industry.
The Solar Stik™ System future plans include:
* Additional accessories such as Application Kits that are designed to work with the Solar Stik™ System. (Application Kits will adapt the Solar Stik™ System to specific applications such as medical, industrial, etc)
* Proprietary solar panel and battery designs
...and more!
Continuing product evolvement will ensure that the Solar Stik™ System paves the way in the Portable Power Generator industry.
The History of Research & Development performed on the Solar Stik™ System (1998-Present):
First Production Prototype Solar Stik™ 2005
PART ONE - THE SOLAR STIK™
The Genesis of the Solar Stik™ as a highly effective solar power system began on a boat. Power requirements for modern production sailboats are ever increasing, and deck space limitations often prohibit the amount of traditional solar panels necessary to meet the power demand. Solar panels operate at their rated capacity in direct sunlight. The Solar Stik™ started as a small solar power system that articulates its panels, thus, producing the power equivalency of a larger flat solar array. Additionally, the Solar Stik™ provided the most favorable environment for solar panel operation by allowing high air circulation. (heat will degrade a solar panel’s power output). The evolution of the Solar Stik™ System started in the marine environment, but ultimately transitioned to include a land-based unit as a simple power generator.
Every component of the Solar Stik™ System has undergone substantial operational and durational tests. The testing un-officially began with the original prototype Solar Stik™ that was developed in 1998 for a sailboat. The original design was crudely constructed from materials available in local shops. Five years of sailing in conditions ranging from storms in open ocean to tranquil anchorages proved the Solar Stik™ design as a highly effective solar power generator can survive the worst conditions: UV, salt, wind, and high stress loads. Exposure to the marine environment will challenge the best engineering that exists today, especially mechanical devices and electrical systems.
In 2003 the process began of refining the Solar Stik™ into a production model for boats began.
The original unit was removed from the vessel and dissected to look for problem areas including corrosion, mechanical failure, and normal wear. Upgrades in this step included upgrading the alloys of the construction metals, installation of galvanic isolators (insulators that are placed between dissimilar metals to prevent corrosion), mechanical improvements (refining the operational aspects such as the “ranges of motion” for the arms or the overall mast attributes, mounting, etc), and individual component refinements (replacing parts that didn’t perform well or simply wore out).
Mounting systems were developed and tested in various configurations representing different marine applications. During this period, a tripod was also developed for a future land-based system. Due to the success of the marine system, the subsequent “land unit”, or TERRA System, was the next step in manifesting the Solar Stik™ to it’s full potential as a PORTABLE SOLAR POWER GENERATOR.
In 2004, "Solar Stik™ Inc." was founded and “operation and durability” testing began on several brands of solar panels. The first tests determined the panels that produced the most power in “everyday” conditions and the secondary tests demonstrated the physical construction of the panels and their resilience in a “mobile” environment.
Over a three-month period, panels were routinely taken to the beach and placed on hot sand, and left to perform to the best of their ability. For comparison readings, some were occasionally propped up to face the sun directly and some were left flat. Temperature monitors, cumulative Amp-hour meters, voltage meters, and batteries in various states of charge were employed to document all of the factors that affected the panel’s ability to operate.
Once the operative tests were complete, destructive testing began, and panels were subjected to baseball strikes (35 MPH), frame stressing (loading of one side of the aluminum frames at 3x the weight of the individual panel), and even a 150 Lb. person standing on the glass pane of the panel (load spread over 50% of the surface area).
Many panels failed during the destructive testing stage.
Once these tests were complete, the BP 350U (now the BP 350J) solar panels were chosen due to superior performance under all conditions. Specific Solar Panel Lifting Arms were then designed to support the panels and allow articulation when installed onto the Solar Stik™ Mast, and the load testing for the System began. Systems were assembled, panels deployed, and then “tipped over” onto concrete to see what would happen. Additional protective devices (such as panel corner-guards) were conceived to alleviate the impacts of system during a “knockdown”. Other refinements in the physical design of the system included enlarging the stainless steel panel arm to extend beyond the panel frame (thus, acting as a “cage” and absorbing impacts), and other structural refinements like Mast Hinge Supports were made to reduce damage. At this time, methods of ground securing were developed to reduce the potential for “knock-down” damage. Ground securing methods were tested on multiple terrains including uneven ground surfaces, soft sand, and pavement.
Severe loading of the entire system was achieved by lifting the Mast horizontally from the center handle, and “bouncing” the entire system with panels deployed in an effort to over-torque the panel arms into breaking free from the Mast. These attempts yielded no failures or degradation to the overall system integrity.
Finally, the Solar Stik™ was subjected to repeated mobile activity, ranging from constant assembly/disassembly to various mobile environments including airline baggage handlers and bouncing around in the back of open pickup trucks. Random people who had no familiarity with the system were asked to follow the instructions and set up the Solar Stik™, and almost everyone was able to do so with little, if any, trouble.
Not one report of damage due to transit or operation has been received to date. (updated - July 2009)
In summary, the BP 350J solar panels have a manufacturer’s warranty that guarantees the operator with 25 years of power output, and assuming operation in the “worst-case” scenarios, the Solar Stik™ System is designed to last 25 years as well. It will provide the user with years of trouble-free operation.
The First Production Prototype Power Pak 2005
PART TWO – THE POWER PAK
The Power Pak was designed to allow the Solar Stik™ to function as a “stand-alone” power source. Since the Solar Stik™ by itself is an unregulated power supply, it must be connected to batteries. Batteries serve two purposes; they act as a “buffer” between an appliance and the Solar Stik™, and they store the electrical power that the Solar Stik™ produces.
Because of the Solar Stik’s™ life expectancy, robustness, and simple operation, the Power Pak must employ much of the same attributes in its design. Additionally, the Solar Stik’s™ ability to produce power in remote and austere environments also means the Power Pak may be subjected to long intervals between disaster-relief deployments, extreme heat, cold, wet, and the overall punishing conditions of a “mobile environment”.
The developmental process for the Power Pak began with the casing. Several cases were purchased from manufacturers for testing. After scrutinizing the cases for features ranging from lifting-handle pin thickness to the ease of latching it shut, the Pelican™ Case was selected.
The battery selection process was next, and several battery brands were purchased to determine which one would handle the multiple and varying rates of discharge, recharging, and operating tolerances. From a field of ten battery brands, the North Star AGM Battery was selected, and subsequently the first Power Pak was constructed and operationally tested. Tests ranged from extreme cycling (15VDC to 8.5VDC) in rapid succession, fast and slow recharging times, multiple cycles (NOTE: the original “experimental” North Star Batteries are still on the test bench being cycled daily - as of April 2009.)
A battery maintenance system was employed to increase the operational life of the AGM battery bank. The maintenance system included a 2-watt solar panel mounted on the exterior of the Pelican™ case powering a small module that “pulsed” and charged the battery.
One test battery was discharged to 7 VDC and remained at that level for three months, causing a significant sulfide build-up on the battery plates. The maintenance system was connected to verify that the pulsing technology could repair the damage and restore the batteries operating characteristics. It succeeded after 21 days of sunlight on the maintainer’s solar panel, and that battery is still in service today in the R&D facility.
The Blue Sky Energy, Inc. MPPT based solar charge control was selected for it’s ability to efficiently process maximum Photo-Voltaic power, and it’s simple design. Operational testing included overloading the input power to verify that it would limit the input, heating the batteries to high temperatures triggering a shutdown of the control (a safety feature built into the control), and reverse polarity connection shutdown. The control behaved just as the manufacturer claimed with no residual effects from the extreme conditions.
Power Pak destructive testing included dropping a complete Power Pak from a height of ten feet, dropping a Power Pak from a moving vehicle (30 MPH), submersion in water with case closed, and sand/dirt intrusion into inner components while functioning.
In summary, the Power Pak employs the best technology that exists today in power storage batteries, battery maintenance, charge controls, and protective casing. All four of these technologies work in concert to provide the best portable power supply on the market that will survive extreme conditions. The Power Pak batteries should last at least 600-700 cycles before replacement is necessary, and the rest of the Power Pak components should last the life span of the Solar Stik™.
The first Prototype Solar Stik™ Terra and Power Pak complete system
Stay Tuned... there is a lot more to come!
|
