Monday, December 7, 2009

Solar Energy Powers Marines on Battlefield

Solar Energy Powers Marines on Battlefield: "The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Advanced Power Generation Future Naval Capabilities program introduced technology that allows U.S. Marines to harness the power of the sun to help power their field equipment.

A year ago, U.S. Marines operating in the Arabian Desert only viewed the sun as the source of the region's relentless heat. Today, the sun fuels the Ground Renewable Expeditionary ENergy System (GREENS), a 300-watt, photovoltaic/battery system that provides continuous power to Marines in the field.

ONR began exploring the GREENS idea in fall 2008 in response to a Marine Corps requirement from Iraq for an expeditionary renewable power system."