The Celestial Bodies Solar System

Putting the sun to work in our Camp

By Indy

Starting in 2009 we began to run many of the lights on our lounge and chill space from 90 watts of solar power. In 2010 we expanded that capacity. The new array consists of 12 panels in a 4 by 9 foot configuration. The panels generate 180 watts of power to charge 6 deep-cycle batteries. These generate most of the power we need for our bar and commons space, making us one of the greenest camps on the playa! We believe it's possible to be green, sustainable and have fun too!

This project was conceived by myself as both a way to show that 'radical self reliance' can be turned into radical sustainability, and as a learning experience. I've learned many new skills while building projects for Burning Man. I hope with this one to share these lessons with the participants of Burning Man that they may apply this to their own camps. Imagine a Burning Man with no generators!

In 2007-8 I had solar panels mounted on my trailer to keep its battery up and allow me to charge camera batteries for myself and my camp mates. In 2009 I had built another set of panels and batteries to light our commons space and a larger set on our Lounge to run many of the lights. I re-strung LED christmas lights to run on 12 volts and used hi-output LEDs for more lighting. Many of the light fixtures are made from found items and repurposed materials. The Lounge sound system is also run from solar so we do not need to run a generator at all during the day. At night we still have additional 110 volt lighting that so far we are not be able to run from the batteries at their current capacities.

These images show our solar panels and charger for 2009. The cooler contains 3 deep-cycle batteries. The second cooler was connected to 3 seperate panels and ran the lights in our common area. These will be combined into a single system and expanded for 2010.

The solar panels stand on a custom rack holding 12 panels for a total of 180 watts of power. The stand is 5 foot tall and tilted 35 degrees. The rack sits on top of a large steel tube and outriggers extend to each corner for support. The steel tube has a thrust ring inside and sits over an amuminum pipe anchored to the ground on 6 foot legs.

Next up is the wiring for the panels, construction of the battery boxes, stereo and lights.

And here's the labels for all the controls and meters:

The end result was fantastic! The solar panels were able to recharge the batteries every day by noon. We ran the stereo completely from the sun in the afternoons and ran the lights and stereo till the small hours of the night for both the Lounge and the commons area.

Projects for 2011:

New flag lights and lights in the new wings of the lounge.

A wind powered greywater evaporator system.