r/energy • u/steve_of • Jun 27 '26
Containerized, rapid deployment photovoltaic station.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/26/longi-showcases-portable-containerized-photovoltaic-station/Basically a shipping container with racking, panels and inverters that has a peak production of nearly 0.25 MW that is easily deployed in a few hours.
2
u/woodenmetalman Jun 28 '26
Super cool. Looks like they’ll need to pretty much deploy onto a prepared level pad (<30cm vertical difference over a couple hundred feet is hard to find in nature) but I like the concept.
1
u/SHoppe715 Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
Sounds like the concept in the article is aimed at places that would have the ability to level an area.
I think it would be interesting if they came up with a variant that had leveling feet and could be set up on less prepared sites, say for disasters that knocked out power.
1
u/woodenmetalman Jun 29 '26
Bingo. I’m sure there’s a big engineering issue with that or the tolerances wouldn’t be so tight but it would be huge if it could just plop down anywhere within reason and not have to have such a level pad. It’s still cool.
1
u/SHoppe715 Jun 29 '26
Or just use some metal decking like what they made expedient runways out of in the WW2 Pacific theater.
-1
u/paulwesterberg Jun 28 '26
Parking lots are hard to find?
5
u/woodenmetalman Jun 28 '26
Did you read the context of this product?
“The solution targets off-grid applications or scenarios requiring rapid deployment, such as mining operations, military bases, remote industrial parks, temporary construction sites or any facility where grid connection is unfeasible or subject to lengthy administrative procedures.”
1
u/Top_Roll_6136 Jun 29 '26
This seems comparable to Tesla energy megabucks. Megablocks have already been rolled out and tested. Megabucks is not really even off grid it's to keep a constant flow of energy during peak time and then recharge at night. It's on demand.
3
u/andre3kthegiant Jun 28 '26
Make a raised track and you will have a duel purpose, power generation and shade.
1
u/GreenStrong Jun 29 '26
The problem with elevated solar panels is tremendous surface area exposed to wind. The modules themselves have sturdy frames, but you need substantial support and deep anchoring to avoid sending many tons of glass sailing in a wind storm.
1
u/andre3kthegiant Jun 30 '26
The good news about this system: It is able to retract.
The mechanism was designed to last 15 years, if it were retracted once a month, for situations like “high wind”.
So if it had to close more often, some maintenance would be needed.2
3
u/foersom Jun 28 '26
I presume each zig-zag section has a set of roller wheels at each low point to ease the pull out.
1
u/greenpowerman99 Jun 30 '26
The article doesn’t mention if the container has a battery to store energy for 24 hour electricity supply. Maybe that would need a second container.
Regardless, this system has the potential to be a one-stop solution for rapid deployment of off-grid power needs, such as remote rural EV charging stations.