Photovoltaics and Disaster relief

Small photovoltaic systems are very good power supply sources in cases of natural disasters (renewing infrastructure and normal life conditions after earth quakes, hurricanes, floods and so on). In such cases photovoltaic systems can be used as power supply sources for medical institutions, schools, street lighting, traffic signalisation etc. The use of such systems depends on the circumstances. Different areas should be studied carefully and needs in specific disasters should be identified well in advance. The great deal of the planning must be conducted by the local communities and the governmental institutions. The preparations are invaluable in case of large natural disasters. The photovoltaic systems should be planned and prepared beforehand, after a disaster occurs it is impossible. Different sollutions and products were developed for specific use in disaster areas. Such products are in most cases also very useful in rural areas or in solar home systems in developed countries. Securing water and energy supplies is one of global challenges today - more than 1.3 billion people have no access to clean drinking water. Solar driven water purifiers are good solution in such cases. An example of such sollution is WATERpps, photovoltaic water pumping and purifying system. The system converts cistern, surface and ground water into hygienically pure drinking water. The water is disinfected by microfiltration, no chemicals are used. Another possibility for use in damaged areas are photovoltaic powered street lights. The photovoltaic powered lights are independent from the public grid and can be mounted on trees also what allows short instalation time and reliable operation.

Application of PV systems in Florida after hurricane Andrew in 1992

August 1992, hurricane Andrew raged over Southern Florida and demolished Southern Florida. After the hurricane more than 1,4 million homes and businesses were left without electricity. Hundreds of thousands homes were partially or completely destroyed, most traffic lights and traffic signalisation was knocked down. Total damage was estimated over US$ 30 billion. After the hurricane, backup emergency power was critically needed in communications and medical relief. Ten days after the University of Miami request for help, the first photovoltaic systems were delivered to the site, providing much needed relief in the hardest hit areas. These systems consisted of a 1 kW photovoltaic array, batteries, a DC/AC inverter, a 50 A battery charger, and end-use appliances, such as fluorescent lights, fans, and a vaccine refrigerator. Solar generated electricity was soon powering four relief shelters and medical clinics. Street lights at the shelters and clinics, and interior lights, fans, and vaccine refrigerators at medical clinics were also installed. The photovoltaic street and area lights were immediately available, and requiring no additional infrastructure. This kind of speed was essential at the time. The photovoltaic systems installed during the hurricane Andrew relief effort were employed successfully for more than 2 months until conventional power was restored.

Sources and Additional Information

	Young, W.B.: Photovoltaic Equipment for Disaster Relief; FSEC-CR-953-97, Florida Solar Energy Center, 1997.
	Young, W.B.: Applying Photovoltaics to Disaster Relief; FSEC-PF-294-96, Florida Solar Energy Center, 1996.
	Young, W.B.: Photovoltaic Applications for Disaster Relief; FSEC-CR-849-95, Florida Solar Energy Center, 1995.
	Young, W.B.: History of Applying Photovoltaics to Disaster Relief; FSEC-CR-954-96, Sandia National Laboratories, Florida Solar Energy Center, 1996.
	Young, W.B.: Needs Assessment for Applying Photovoltaics to Disaster Relief; FSEC-CR-935-97, Sandia National Laboratories, Florida Solar Energy Center, 1996.
	Solar PV Emergency & Resilience Planning, Fact Sheet.
	Counting on Solar Power for Disaster Relief; Produced for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a DOE national laboratory DOE/GO-10099-729, April 1999.
	Tucker, M, Loo, L. Linking Solar Photovoltaics with Building Disaster-Resistant Communities; 2000 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings - Proceedings Efficiency and Sustainability.
	Qazi, S., Disaster relief management and resilience using photovoltaic energy, Conference on Collaboration Technologies and Systems (CTS), 19-23 May, 2014.
	Qazi, S., Green Technology for Disaster Relief and Remote Areas. 121 ASEE Annual Conference & Exhibition, Indianapolis, IN, June 15-18, 2014.

Web Sites

Florida Solar Energy Center - The Florida Solar Energy Center offers a range of photovoltaic (solar electric) support strategies for disaster relief, recovery and mitigation.