A solar panel is connected to a charger/controller and a battery.
Further considerations
Sign shops planning to direct their products along a ‘green’ path should understand that both solar and wind power technologies continue to be updated regularly. As such, it is important to work with professional suppliers that can offer reliable systems
at the right price, by both optimizing the technical specifications and staying within the customer’s target budget.
Keeping the specific needs of the sign industry in mind, suppliers should also have experience with off-line DC voltage systems, LEDs and small-scale components, along with knowledge of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) regulations and procedures that apply to the sign industry.
A clear understanding is necessary, for instance, of the relationship between LED modules and energy consumption, so as to generate the most efficient light output for a commercial sign in the field. There are many new options for reducing the potential cost of the system, such as LEDs that integrate dimmer technology so they use only as much energy as is needed for sufficient brightness, depending on ambient conditions throughout the day or night. These dimmers vary in terms of intensity. Also, for signs using solar power, a sun tracking system can help ensure the panels are carefully positioned for optimal efficiency.
Indeed, given the effects of changing weather conditions on renewably powered signs, it is becoming common for such configurations to be controlled remotely via wireless Internet cloud connectivity. With today’s technology, sign shops and their customers can track system integrity from far away, while making adjustments as necessary. Chargers and LED dimmers, for example, can be controlled through the Internet to help conserve energy in the winter months.
Planning each project
With all of this in mind, before choosing any renewable energy system—solar, wind or hybrid—it is important first to determine the specific needs
of the given sign project. Knowing its geographical location, for example, will help calculate how much solar and/or wind power will be available throughout the year. In areas where there are many days without sunlight, a solar-powered sign will certainly need backup energy storage and would benefit from Internet-controlled LED dimming.
The dimensions of the sign—and whether it is single-, double-, three- or four-sided—will also affect the implementation of a renewable power system. The signmaker may prefer to mount solar panels on top of, behind or beside the sign, depending on visibility issues and angles of sunlight. For the same reason, the direction the sign will face—north, east, south or west—needs to be considered.
For outdoor signs connected to a building, either indoor or outdoor chargers, controllers and battery systems can be used. Finally, the duration of the sign’s ‘on’ and ‘off’ periods will influence its energy consumption needs.
By combining a signmaker’s expertise with a renewable energy system supplier’s technical knowledge, an effective and affordable design can be conceptualized for any sign. Working closely together, specialized professionals will continue to find new tricks and techniques for optimizing sign performance in the field, building on the inherent efficiency of LEDs to achieve the greatest light output with the lowest energy consumption.
Dov Rom is president of Ascend Green Energy, which integrates renewable energy systems for the sign industry, with the assistance of Advanced Lighting Systems, a wholesale custom illuminated sign manufacturer in Concord, Ont. For more information, contact him via e-mail at info@ascentge.com or visit www.ascentgreenenergy.com.
I am wondering if you can get the same sort of look with the LED as opposed to the Neon Signs.
thoughts?