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The STARSN Project is uniquely
Australian and is part of a program to improve the capacity of Defence
training areas to support Defence capabilities. Part of the overall
project included the supply, installation and commissioning of numerous
solar powered DC power installations at virgin sites in remote military
training areas. The design specification dictated that the overall weight
had to be kept to a minimum as many sites were only accessible by
helicopter and all equipment had to be airlifted to site.
All sites had to have the solar panels orientated to the north, often on
mountain tops where the terrain was rocky, uneven and sloping. Many sites
were located in the tropics and subject to cyclonic wind loadings. The
system had to provide redundancy in case any electronic component failed
and because of the remote locations, the system had to be designed for
minimal maintenance.
These site conditions meant that the following features had to be
incorporated into the design.
- Each leg had to be individually adjustable for inclinations of
up to 20°
- All installed equipment including the mast had to be designed
to withstand wind speeds up to 170kph.
- The complete system had to be erectable by 3 persons using
only small hand tools
- Dual power systems including two solar arrays, two voltage
regulating/charging systems, and two battery banks
- Lightning arrestors on Antenna and or Solar DC Inputs to
reduce maintenance due to lightning strikes
- Aluminium and stainless steel hardware to prolong the useable
life and to reduce maintenance
- Fully autonomous operation requiring only annual maintenance.
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More than 50 installations were completed during 2004/2005 in
remote locations from Tasmania to the Northern Territory in
Australia and are today providing a vital link in the safety of
Australia’s defence forces. |
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