Illuminated Signs: Renewable energy for the sign industry

by all | 17 July 2015 10:57 am

By Dov Rom
After a long period of uncertainty, the sign industry today has mostly transitioned away from neon and fluorescent illumination to more energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs), thanks to a series of technological advances. This transition is now enabling another evolution in sign industry technology, as renewable energy sources—like solar and wind power—become more feasible for powering illuminated signs.

That said, renewable energy systems for signs can face challenges, from operating through harsh winter conditions to being careful not to overshadow the sign itself.

Solar power
Solar power systems, in particular, have proven a revolutionary technology of this era. Studies anticipate they will become the norm not only for industrial purposes, but also for general household use, in the next 50 years or so.

Simply put, these systems use sunlight as their energy source. They convert the light into direct current (DC) electricity, at voltages identical to those of typical batteries.

A solar power system uses three major components—
a solar panel, a charger/controller and a battery—to supply the energy needed to power up the LEDs in a sign. Typically, the DC voltage required to power an LED effectively is 12 or 24 V.

Most renewable energy system suppliers have already gained a great deal of experience working with solar power, but with systems that instead produce alternating current (AC) voltage, via a connection to an electrical power line for a rural house or farm. In these cases, the owner may receive a rebate from the local power company for helping feed energy into the grid. Renewable energy systems for signs are different, as they require battery backup to provide nighttime illumination.

Wind power
Small wind-powered electrical generators are also an effective means for producing renewable energy for illuminated signs. Similar to solar power systems, they use their natural source of energy to supply electricity to a battery, which in turn powers the signs. Unlike solar panels, they can be co-ordinated to match the sign’s colour(s), as part of the structure.

Hybrid systems
In some cases, wind-powered electrical generators and solar-powered systems are combined to produce a greater amount of energy than would be possible individually. Termed ‘hybrid systems,’ their other advantage is they can more effectively be used throughout the year, regardless of changing weather conditions. On an overcast day, the wind turbines are used, while on a sunny day, the solar panels take over. And on days that are both sunny and windy, these systems can generate power around the clock.

These systems are a particularly strong option for powering signs, which are often installed in areas and at elevations prone to all sorts of weather throughout the year. They can even be used to power up a sign that needs to be illuminated 24-7.

System components
Solar and wind power systems are relatively similar. Typically, in addition to the solar panel or wind turbine, they both require a power management controller/charger, batteries packaged in a box (i.e. to shield them against damaging weather conditions) and special cables and connectors.

Given they are inherently designed—like most signs—for outdoor use, these systems will operate efficiently across extreme temperature ranges, from -29 to 60 C (-20 to 140 F). Where the sign industry may need to pay more consideration is the size of the components. Smaller solar panels and wind turbines are available today, so their presence will not visually overpower or divert attention away from the message of the sign.

Benefits of renewable energy
While renewable energy has, to date, typically been adopted out of consideration for the environment, it also offers signmakers other benefits over conventional methods of energy production.

For one thing, because electricity is generated right at the sign site, there is no need for complicated electrical wiring in the field, trenching or hiring a licensed electrician to manage the work. As a result, installation costs are reduced, more flexible system placement becomes possible and the permit application process is shortened. It will also be easier to handle maintenance and other servicing of the sign over the long term.

There are other types of advantages, too. For example, a sign shop may be able to expand its business into custom manufacturing of municipal parking lot streetlights and other systems where renewable energy is favoured. Also, the costs of purchasing and installing solar or wind power systems may be deducted from tax bills, depending on the applicable federal, provincial and/or municipal regulations.

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 [4]or visit 
www.ascentgreenenergy.com[5].

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/illuminated-signs-renewable-energy-for-the-sign-industry/

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