WO2024165884A1

WO2024165884A1 - "improved deployable power system and method"

Info

Publication number: WO2024165884A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/051050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Fleming
Original assignee: Positive Off-Grid Solutions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-06
Filing date: 2023-02-06
Publication date: 2024-08-15

Abstract

A solar power supply assembly including: a cabinet; a solar panel array located atop the cabinet; a battery array; one or more solar charge controllers coupled to the solar panel array for charging the battery array; and one or more inverters coupled to the battery array for providing AC power. The cabinet has a reclined roof portion, at an angle suitable to install the solar panel array when deployed, thereby enabling direct mounting of the solar panel array to the reclined roof portion.

Description

IMPROVED DEPLOYABLE POWER SYSTEM AND METHOD

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to power supplies and, in particular, to remote deployable power supplies.

[0002] The invention has been developed primarily for use and application as a deployable solar power supply system and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

[0003] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Background Art

[0004] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the field of the invention as at the priority date of the application.

[0005] There is a need in the art for alternative and/or improved deployable solar power supply systems and methods. In particular, although not essentially, there is need for such deployable systems and methods in harsh or rugged environments that are capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions such as high winds arising from cyclonic or gale force winds in remote locations distant from cities or major townsites.

Disclosure of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the embodiments of the invention herein described, there is provided a solar power supply assembly, the assembly including: a cabinet; a solar panel array located atop the cabinet; a battery array; one or more solar charge controllers coupled to the solar panel array for charging the battery array; and one or more inverters coupled to the battery array for providing AC power.

[0007] Preferably, the cabinet has a reclined roof portion. The reclined roof face angle is preferably at an angle suitable to install the solar panel array when deployed, thereby enabling direct mounting of the solar panel array to the reclined roof portion.

[0008] Preferably, the cabinet has an irregular pentagon side profile. More preferably, the cabinet side profile is substantively defined as having a horizontal roof face (defining a horizontal roof portion), a horizontal lower face (defining a floor), a vertical posterior face (defining a rear wall), and an anteriorly projecting nose having an upper reclined roof face (defining a reclined roof portion) and a lower receding face (defining a receding anterior wall). Most preferably, the reclined roof face angle is an angle suitable to install the solar panel array when deployed for enabling direct mounting.

[0009] Preferably, the cabinet defines regions for locating the battery array separately from the inverters and the charge controllers. More preferably, the cabinet defines at least three regions for separating: (a) the battery array; (b) the inverters and the charge controllers; and (c) associated communication equipment. Most preferably, the cabinet region comprising the battery array is in fluid flow communication with the cabinet region comprising the inverters and the charge controllers; and the cabinet region comprising the battery array has an extraction fan that operates to draw air through a vent in the front wall, through the cabinet region comprising the inverters and the charge controllers, and through the cabinet region comprising the battery array.

[0010] Preferably, batteries in the battery array are each coupled to a first busbar. More preferably the inverters and charge controllers are coupled to a second busbar. Most preferably, the first busbar and second busbar are coupled across regions defined within the cabinet.

[0011] Preferably, the solar charge controllers are maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers.

[0012] Preferably, the battery array comprises a plurality of lithium batteries.

[0013] Preferably, the solar array has an extended configuration for deployment, and a retracted configuration for transport. More preferably, the solar panel array comprises two or more sleeved (telescoping) solar panel segments that enables the array to slidably extend and retract.

[0014] Preferably, the assembly further includes communications equipment and an extendable mast for enabling communication. Preferably the extendable mast length is in the range of 6 to 21 metres.

[0015] Preferably, the assembly further includes a diesel generator for providing a backup power source.

[0016] Preferably, a skid portion is provided at the underside of the assembly. The skid portion preferably defines lift points for enabling a forklift to move the assembly, and/or a plurality of skid elements (or rails) for supporting the assembly on the ground. More preferably, the skid portion is less than 3.6 meters in length (such that steel can be bent using conventional bending techniques).

[0017] Preferably, the cabinet is located at one end (front) of the skid. More preferably, the cabinet is located such that the front wall extends past the front of the skid. Most preferably, the diesel generator is located about the other end (rear) of the skid, thereby providing a counterbalance. The extendable mast is preferably located at the rear end of the skid.

[0018] Preferably, the assembly can withstand 150km/h winds, and the cabinet satisfies an ingress protection rating of IP56.

[0019] According to another aspect of the various embodiments of the invention described herein, there is provided a cabinet for a solar power supply assembly of the kind defined in the preceding aspect of the invention, the cabinet including: a roof portion, a floor portion, a posterior wall portion, an anterior wall portion, and a pair of opposing, co-extending side portions; the roof and floor portions being truncated to define an anteriorly projecting nose having an upper reclined portion and a lower receding portion; wherein the upper reclined portion has a roof face angle prescribed to install the solar panel array when deployed, enabling direct mounting of the solar panel array to the reclined roof portion at an inclination to substantially optimise orientation having regard to the latitude of deployment for solar collection; and wherein the lower receding portion has a floor face angle to maintain the longitudinal extent of the floor portion to a dimension commensurate to the longitudinal extent of the skid portion that is of a standard size to permit the floor portion to optimally surmount the skid portion in juxtaposition for deployment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Several preferred specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment assembly, shown in the retracted configuration without the external electrical ducting in situ;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment assembly, shown in the extended or deployed configuration without the external electrical ducting in situ;

FIG. 3 is a right-side view of the cabinet of the first embodiment assembly;

FIG. 4 is a left-side view of the cabinet of FIG 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cabinet FIG 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the cabinet of the first embodiment assembly, but represented with transparent side walls and doors for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the control module of the first embodiment assembly;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the vent of the first embodiment assembly; FIG. 9A through FIG. 9E are schematic wiring diagrams for the first embodiment assembly;

FIG. 10 is a schematic partial perspective view of FIG. 1 , showing the location of an embodiment external cabling junction box and ducting;

FIG. 1 1 is a similar view to FIG. 10, but being non-schematic showing the actual external ducting arrangement;

FIG. 12 is a similar view to FIG. 1 but showing a rendered perspective of the embodiment assembly with the external electrical ducting included; and

FIG 13 are perspective views of the cabinet in accordance with a second embodiment assembly, wherein:

FIG 13A shows the top front left side perspective;

FIG 13B shows the top front right side perspective; and

FIG 13C shows the bottom front left side perspective;

FIG 14 is a perspective view of the second embodiment assembly in the retracted or closed configuration and showing the external electrical ducting; and

FIG 15 is a perspective view of the second embodiment assembly in the extended or open configuration, similarly showing the external electrical ducting.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] The best mode for carrying out the invention teaches an integrated and engineered solar generator for industrial application. It will be appreciated that this provides a high-performance off-grid solar solution.

[0022] A first specific embodiment of the best mode is shown and described with reference to FIGs 1 to 12.

[0023] Referring initially to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an embodiment solar power supply assembly 100, includes: a cabinet 1 10; a solar panel array 120 located atop the cabinet; a battery array located within the cabinet; one or more solar charge controllers located within the cabinet, the solar charge controllers being coupled to the solar panel array for charging the battery array; and one or more inverters located within the cabinet, the inverters being coupled to the battery array for providing alternating current (AC) power.

[0024] In this embodiment, the assembly further includes: a skid portion 130 (or skid) defining an underside of the assembly, an extendable mast 140 for enabling communication; and a diesel generator 150 for providing a backup power source.

[0025] In this embodiment, the cabinet 110 is located at, and extends over, one end (front end) of the skid. The cabinet is located such that the front wall forms an anteriorly projecting nose extending past the front of the skid.

[0026] In this embodiment, the skid portion 130 is provided at the underside of the assembly. The skid portion can define lift points for enabling a forklift to move the assembly, and/or a plurality of skid elements (or rails) for supporting the assembly on the ground. The skid portion can be less than 3.6 meters in length, which is a standard size that steel lengths forming the skid are cut to, wherefrom steel can be bent using conventional bending techniques that in the past were standardised by press brake machine sizes.

[0027] In this embodiment, the diesel generator 150 is located about the other end (rear) of the skid, thereby providing a counterbalance.

[0028] In this embodiment, the extendable mast 140 is located at the rear end of the skid.

[0029] In this embodiment, the solar panel array 120 overhangs the cabinet. The solar panel array overhangs the front of both the cabinet and the skid. The solar panel array 120 also overhangs the rear of the cabinet, shadowing the generator. A rear support element is included to support the rear overhang of the solar panel from about the rear of the skid.

[0030] It will be appreciated that the apparatus can be used as a remote power source, with communication equipment providing status updates on the apparatus and environment. The apparatus can be used as a remote communication hub, such as a wireless base station or node in a communication mesh network, with the power sources (solar array, battery array, and/or generator) supplying power to the hub.

[0031] It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments provide an alternative and/or improved deployable solar power supply system and method.

Cabinet (external)

[0032] In this embodiment, the cabinet 1 10 has been designed to handle the direct mounting of the solar array 120.

[0033] In this embodiment, the solar array 120 has a retracted configuration for transport (as shown in FIG. 1 ) and an extended configuration for deployment (as Shown in FIG. 2). More preferably, the solar panel array comprises two or more sleeved (inter-sleeved or telescoping) solar panel segments that enables the array to slidably extend and retract.

[0034] In this example the solar panel is in the form of a series of sleeved (intersleeved or telescoping) solar panel segments or cassettes, that slidably extend and retract.

[0035] It will be appreciated that the solar array panel are heavy. The cabinet is adapted to directly mount the solar panels, and transfer much of the load to the skid portion (particularly when in the extended configuration during high wind periods).

[0036] This embodiment cabinet frame is designed to transfer much of the load from the solar array into the skid, which is fixed into position through ground support. [0037] Referring to FIG 3, this embodiment cabinet has an irregular pentagon side profile with parallel roof and floor, which is substantively defined as having a horizontal roof face (defining a horizontal roof portion) 350, a horizontal lower face (defining a floor) 310, a vertical posterior face (defining a rear wall) 320, and an anteriorly projecting nose having an upper reclined roof face (defining a reclined roof portion) 340 and a lower receding face (defining a receding anterior wall) 330. [0038] It will be appreciated that the reclined roof portion 330 can be angled to the horizontal angle to enabling direct mounting of the solar panel such that the solar panel array can be used when deployed. Moreover, the reclined roof portion 330 has a roof face angle prescribed to install the solar panel array when deployed, enabling direct mounting of the solar panel array to the reclined roof portion at an inclination to substantially optimise orientation having regard to the latitude of deployment for solar collection. This orientation is different depending upon whether the deployment occurs in southern- or northern-most latitudes or in more equatorial latitudes.

[0039] The cabinet frame can comprise (typically at each side): ‘A’ pillar supports 362, ‘B’ pillar supports 364 and ‘B’ pillar supports 366. In this embodiment the ‘A’ pillar supports our angled in an upward forward direction, while the ‘B’ and ‘C’ pillar supports are substantively vertical. The reclined roof portion is supported between the ‘A’ pillar supports and the ‘B’ pillar supports. By way of example, the angle between the ‘A’ pillar support and the reclined roof portion is 90 degrees (at 368).

[0040] In this embodiment, the doors of the cabinet have a ground clearance of about 350mm (at 370), which enable dual use for fitting to a trailer frame. The clearance allows for the doors either side to be opened without fouling on mudguards.

[0041] The cabinet can withstand 150km/h winds, and satisfies an ingress protection rating of IP56.

[0042] By way of example, the angle of the reclined roof portion provides an angle for direct mounted solar panel array to provide maximise solar production at the target install potion.

[0043] In an embodiment, the cabinet shape and configuration enables the assembly to be fitted into a high cube sea container for transportation, without the need to remove the solar array.

Cabinet (internal)

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the embodiment cabinet 1 10, without roof, defining regions for locating the battery array separately from the inverters and the charge controllers.

[0045] In this example, the cabinet defines at least three regions, including: (a) a battery compartment 510 for separately storing the battery array 512; (b) a power compartment 520 for separately storing the inverters 522 and the charge controllers 524; and (c) an ancillary compartment 530 for separately storing associated communication equipment 532. [0046] The battery compartment 510 is in fluid flow communication with the power compartment 520; and the battery compartment has an extraction fan (not shown) that operates to draw air (at 540) through a vent 542 in the front wall (also shown in FIG. 3), through power compartment and through the battery compartment.

[0047] By way of example, to improve design and efficiency: the batteries in the battery array are each coupled to a first busbar 516; and the inverters 522 and charge controllers 524 are coupled to a second busbar 526. The first busbar and second busbar are coupled across regions (or compartments) defined within the cabinet.

[0048] It will be appreciated that the battery array 512 can comprise a plurality of lithium batteries.

[0049] It will be appreciated that the solar charge controllers 524 can be maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers.

[0050] It will be appreciated that, by segregating the battery array from AC power components, and providing ventilation, the assembly can satisfy Australian Standards for stand-alone power systems (AS5039).

[0051] To assist in coupling the inverters to the battery array through the intermediate segregation wall (at 546), two interconnected busbars 516, 526 are used. To improve design and function, the first busbar 516 is mounted vertically within the battery compartment, and the second busbar 526 is mounted horizontally within the power compartment (e.g. on the floor of the compartment). This requires only two DC coupling elements (cables) passing through the segregation wall. The coupling between the first busbar and second busbar can include an isolation switch 548 (best shown in FIG. 6).

[0052] In an embodiment, the battery busbar 516 is mounted vertically on the side of the battery rack, with a removeable access panel provided to enable access to the battery busbar for assembly, service, and/or maintenance.

[0053] It will be appreciated that due to the weight of the batteries, and the need for transport stability, the mounting rack is strengthened to prevent twisting and the support mounts are strengthened to ensure secure fixation.

[0054] The inverter(s) can be mounted on the internal front angled wall of the cabinet to allow for space saving and ease of maintenance inside the cabinet. Multiple inverters can be transverse mounted side by side (by providing a cooling airgap therebetween). The charge controllers can be transverse mounted on a mounting plate that is installed on the intermediate wall (aligning with the ‘B’ pillar supports). The Mounting plate allows for pre-assembly of the charge controllers group and improved final assembly. It will be appreciated that a transverse horizontal mounting of the second busbar improves connectivity/installation between the busbar, inverters and charge controllers.

[0055] In an embodiment, the ancillary compartment 530 can house an ancillary rack that includes any one or more of the following elements: a preassembled solar isolator/circuit breaker assembly, system controller, AC switchboard (optional single or three phase), communications equipment, remote monitoring equipment, server equipment, and genset controller. By way of example, FIG. 7 shows a preassembled solar isolator/circuit breaker assembly 600.

[0056] The ancillary compartment 530 accommodates external wiring facilities to communicate via an external cable junction box 700 and ducting 710 to the communication mast 140 and also provide passage for high-power electrical cabling between the diesel generator 150 and the inverters 522, which will be described in more detail later.

Cabinet (ventilation)

[0057] It will be appreciated that ventilation can be provided to improve operating temperatures within the cabinet. Power load calculations are used to establish heat generation, for ventilation modelling.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 8, a filtered vent 700 (or 542) is provided on the front wall to provide adequate cooling while mainlining the IP rating of the cabinet. The filter (not shown) is removably located in a filter slot 710, which is protected by both a shroud 712 and the overhang of the solar array.

[0059] In this embodiment, the location of the filtration inlet, allows for the ambient air to be drawn across the back of the inverter assemblies as it enters the cabinet, and then either: flow through into the battery compartment and out via a respective battery exhaust fan; or flow through to the ancillary compartment and out via a respective ancillary exhaust fan.

Skid Portion [0060] The skid 130 portion typically has a length of 3.6m or less for ease of fabrication and mass production, while improving strength against torsion forces.

[0061] The layout of components provides a weight distribution, wherein the internal cross braces/fork lift pockets 132 are positioned to enable lifting of the assembly about the centre of weight and balance.

[0062] It will be appreciated that the fork pockets 134 at either end of the skid may be used for tethering the assembly to a concrete pad or other suitable ground fixation device. This is typically active using wire ropes passed through the skid at either end and fixing these to ground fixation devices.

[0063] The skid portion provides a base for mountings and fixations to couple the cabinet, solar array, generator and mast.

[0064] In an embodiment, the skid has a length of 3.6 meters, enabling it to be fabricated from standard 3.6 m sheet lengths using conventional 3.6m long pan or press brakes.

[0065] The skid enables the generator and cabinet to mount longitudinally, whereby the service doors on the generator and cabinet can open fully for maintenance and inspection.

Circuit Diagrams

[0066] FIG. 9A through FIG. 9E show schematic diagrams for an embodiment assembly.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, it will be appreciated that the battery modules 810 are segregated in the battery compartment (at 812) and coupled to a first busbar 814.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 9A, it will be appreciated that the charge controllers 820 are segregated in the power compartment (at 822) and coupled to a second busbar 824. It will be appreciated that the second busbar is isolated from the first busbar using isolator switches 826. The solar panels 830 a coupled to the charge controllers 820.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 9A, it will be appreciated that the inverter 840 is further coupled to the second busbar 824. [0070] Referring to FIG. 9C, the alternating current outputs (e.g. 240v AC) from the inverter 840 and generator 842 are coupled (at 846). This enables the generator to operate through the inverter to recharge the batteries.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 9D, the communications modules include wired and wireless ethernet.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 9E, the communications modules include a monitoring system for the inverters, charge controllers, and temperature sensors.

External Cabling

[0073] FIG. 10 shows schematically where the external cabling junction box 700 and ducting 710 are disposed for providing wiring inter-connectivity between the diesel generator 150, the cabinet 1 10 and the communications mast 140.

[0074] The cabinet 1 10 is formed in its external rear wall in juxtaposition to the junction box 700 with a plurality of holes 720 shown red being facilities to accommodate the passage of: high-power electrical cabling (not shown) between the generator of the diesel generator 150 and the inverters 522, via the ancillaries compartment; and low-power control and data wiring between the solar charge controllers 524 and the communication mast 140.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment, three x 32 mm upper grommeted holes (not shown) are provided for the high-power cabling, and three x 32 mm lower grommeted holes (not shown) are provided for the low-power control and data wiring.

[0076] In a further embodiment a lower 32 mm grommeted hole (not shown) is provided to accommodate a 25 mm diameter pneumatic feed lines (not shown) to operate and control the extending of the communication mast 140.

[0077] FIG’s 11 and 12 show the external arrangement of the junction box 700 and ducting 710 disposed upon the skid portion 130. The junction box 700 is discreetly located in the bottom corner adjacent the junction between the walls of the cabinet 110 and diesel generator 150. [0078] The ducting 710 is disposed on the upper surface of the skid portion 130, tracking the edge of the skid to adjoin with the bottom of the mast 140, accommodating the low-power control and data wiring therein.

[0079] A second specific embodiment assembly is substantially similar to the first specific embodiment assembly, except that it has a cabinet 110’ designed and configured marginally different to that of the first embodiment assembly 100.

[0080] Referring to FIG’s 13 to 15, vented compartments 900a and 900b are added to the left and front generator doors to house a pair of extraction fans (not shown), one in compartment 900a and the other in compartment 900b. These locations improve drawing of airflow through the power compartment 520’ from the vent 542’ to the external atmosphere.

[0081] In a further specific embodiment, additional inlet vents are incorporated into the battery compartment 510’ and the ancillary compartment 530’ to draw air from outside the cabinet 110’ internally through the compartments and the power compartment 520’ using the extraction fans thereby creating better ventilation and isolation of components.

[0082] In addition, the charge controllers 524 are spaced from the partition wall to provide a gap of approximately 10 mm for improving airflow to meet computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer airflow requirements (CFD).

Advantages

[0083] Although modern laser cutting techniques have tended to replace sheet metal pan and press brakes in sheet metal fabrication workshops in first world countries, there is a proliferation of older pan and press brake equipment being used in sheet metal fabrication workshops in third world countries, where the deployment of the present invention sees its major market.

[0084] Accordingly, there is a considerable advantage attained by designing the skid to a 3.6 metre length standard, and consequently requiring an innovative cabinet design that can be mounted thereon in conjunction with a diesel generator and telecommunication equipment to support a retractable and expandable solar collector assembly in a cassette style arrangement to optimise solar collection.

[0085] The cabinet design therefore is optimised to meet the following requirements: national and international standards for the operation of lithium batteries in isolated and sealed spatial confinement, the co-location of inverters and high-power electrics in conjunction with low power control systems, the former requiring cooling and heat sinking in optimally spaced and ventilated compartments, fabrication of low-tech parts in third world locations using local resources, transportation of essential components using flat packing concepts for remote assembly, and subsequent transportation for deployment in remote and isolated locations.

[0086] Furthermore the reduction and limiting of the longitudinal extent of the skid to 3.6 m and the provision of the anteriorly extending nose of the cabinet beyond the anterior extent of the skid portion, that would otherwise cause an over-balancing of the skid load, is overcome by the optimum location of the heavier componentry such as the diesel generator 150, the mast 140 and the battery array 512, at the most posterior locations of the skid, without detracting from performance.

Interpretation

[0087] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

[0088] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0089] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

[0090] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

[0091] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0092] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, "upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader, or with reference to the orientation of the structure during nominal use, as appropriate. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate. [0093] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0094] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0095] Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

[0096] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0097] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0098] It will be appreciated that an embodiment of the invention can consist essentially of features disclosed herein. Alternatively, an embodiment of the invention can consist of features disclosed herein. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows

1 . A solar power supply assembly, the assembly including: a cabinet; a solar panel array located atop the cabinet; a battery array; one or more solar charge controllers coupled to the solar panel array for charging the battery array; and one or more inverters coupled to the battery array for providing AC power.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the cabinet has a reclined roof portion.

3. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cabinet has an irregular pentagon side profile.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cabinet side profile is substantively defined as having a horizontal roof face, a horizontal lower face, a vertical posterior face, and an anteriorly projecting nose having an upper reclined roof face and a lower receding face defining a reclined roof portion.

5. An assembly according to claim 2 or claim 4, wherein the reclined roof portion has an angle suitable to install the solar panel array when deployed for enabling direct mounting.

6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cabinet defines regions for locating the battery array separately from the inverters and the charge controllers.

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cabinet defines at least three regions for separating: (a) the battery array; (b) the inverters and the charge controllers; and (c) associated communication equipment.

8. An assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the cabinet region comprising the battery array is in fluid flow communication with the cabinet region comprising the inverters and the charge controllers; and the cabinet region comprising the battery array has an extraction fan that operates to draw air through a vent, through the cabinet region comprising the inverters and the charge controllers, and through the cabinet region comprising the battery array.

9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein batteries in the battery array are each coupled to a first busbar.

10. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein inverters and charge controllers are coupled to a second busbar.

11. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein batteries in the battery array are each coupled to a first busbar, and the first busbar and second busbar are coupled across regions defined within the cabinet.

12. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery array comprises a plurality of lithium batteries.

13. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar charge controllers are maximum power point tracking controllers.

14. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar array has an extended configuration for deployment, and a retracted configuration for transport.

15. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar array solar panel array comprises two or more inter-sleeved solar panel segments that enables the array to slidably extend and retract.

16. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly further includes communications equipment and an extendable mast for enabling communication.

17. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly further includes a diesel generator for providing a backup power source.

18. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly further includes a skid portion at the underside of the assembly.

19. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the skid portion defines lift points for enabling a forklift to move the assembly, and/or a plurality of skid elements (or rails) for supporting the assembly on the ground.

20. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cabinet is located at one end of the skid.

21 . An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the cabinet is located such that a front wall extends past the front of the skid.

22. An assembly according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein a diesel generator and mast are located about the other end of the skid, thereby providing a counterbalance.

23. A cabinet for a solar power supply assembly of the type as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the cabinet including: a roof portion, a floor portion, a posterior wall portion, an anterior wall portion, and a pair of opposing, co-extending side portions; the roof and floor portions being truncated to define an anteriorly projection nose having an upper reclined portion and a lower receding portion; wherein the upper reclined portion has a roof face angle prescribed to install the solar panel array when deployed, enabling direct mounting of the solar panel array to the reclined roof portion at an inclination to substantially optimise orientation having regard to the latitude of deployment for solar collection; and wherein the lower receding portion has a floor face angle to maintain the longitudinal extent of the floor portion to a dimension commensurate to the longitudinal extent of the skid portion that is of a standard size to permit the floor portion to optimally surmount the skid portion in juxtaposition for deployment.