A solar panel array somewhat similar to this one is being proposed to power a communications tower in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park/NPS
Sunshine is being viewed as a powerful solution for keeping communications online in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where officials are considering the use of solar panels to generate electricity for communications equipment atop Mount Sterling in North Carolina.
For years a 3.5-mile-long power line has supplied the power, but now Duke Energy officials are proposing to install an array of solar panels, coupled with a zinc-air battery, to keep the communications equipment running. Public comment is on the proposal is being taken by park officials through December 13.
The solar energy would be used to power communications equipment on the Mount Sterling fire tower/NPS
The radio equipment is a vital component of the park’s emergency communication system, according to a park release.
"The solar microgrid would operate separately from the energy grid and would allow greater reliability while using a renewable energy source," it added. "The proposed solar array would consist of 30 panels and would cover an area approximately 40 feet long, 15 feet wide and 10.5 feet tall at the highest point."
To ensure trees don't block the sunshine, officials estimate that a small number of trees -- fewer than 10 -- would need to be cut down. At the same time, once the panels are up and running, the transmission line would be removed and the corridor -- covering about 13 acres, would be allowed to return to its natural state, according to park officials.
Duke Energy recently filed details on the proposed project with the North Carolina Utilities Commission, which must approve the project prior to implementation. If approved by the National Park Service and the North Carolina Utilities Commission, implementation could begin in Spring 2017.
Comments
That is a lot of panels for a communications tower. I have concerns about the impact on the landscape with cutting trees. I know the area very well and would suggest they place the panels in the area already cleared for the power lines. There is a voltage drop with length of photovoltaic production module and actual site but that can be offset my another panel or two. The top of Sterling is a prize and space is limited. This tower serves the park and their ability to communicate amongst their staff. Small repeaters on Newfound gap road is where the traffic flows. There are no rangers in the backcountry that need that urgent communication. Sat phones would be cheaper given the minimal amount of time rangers are in the backcountry. And before anyone jumps on me to back up my statements, I have the complete annual logs of backcountry rangers in the Smokies for calendar year 2015. You would be amazed at how little time rangers spend in the backcountry and there are virtually no law enforcement rangers there in the winter time.
Seems to me if the line itself is 13 acres of area, the solar array would take up less space overall. Placing the array in the existing right-of-way probably wouldn't be sufficient either. Seems to me that the elimination of the line allows the forrest to be restored, allows for the removal of grid electricity (which will come from coal, gas, and nuclear plants - even though minuscule), and eliminates dependency on Duke who won't be concerned with a smokies communication tower if faced with a weather event.
So they sacrifice a 40 square foot space by sacrificing 10 trees (probably dead conifers anyway, since it's on mt sterling), and allow a transmission line right away to be removed and return back to it's natural state, which would return upwards of a thousands to five thousand trees depending on the species? And that is seen as bad? Come on... The tradeoff in that case is obviously much better, because in order to keep a transmission line in an area, they have to constantly trim out the right away. Tha would also eliminate that routine maintence..
By the way, John, there are more than just backcountry rangers using the radio communications system. Secondly, backcountry rangers that are responsbile for clearning sites, and hauling out debris and trash don't have law enforcement capabilites, and yes are seasonal but they are back there on routine maintence at least a few times a week on multiple trail routes. Then there are law enforcement rangers. They are two different groups.
And yes, they need the communications tower. Satellite phones are not 100% reliable in all locations, especially around tall trees, and in sheltered coves etc, while the radio system is operable in most areas of the park. There are more than just backcountry rangers that use the radios. Biologists, trail maintence crews, law enforcement, backcountry rangers, wildlife services, and other groups are all out there relying on that service at times.