Soltek Powersource (SPS) has supplied over 600 solar power systems to a major gas producer as part of a program to automate gas well operations. Instead of using chart recorders and site visits to monitor gas wells, solar power has allowed the use of SCADA equipment to perform these functions throughout the network from a central console.

With a power consumption of 12 watts, the SCADA equipment is easily powered with a small photovoltaic array. SPS's power system was carefully computer modeled using solar insolation and temperature data for the sites. A solar array using three 55 watt Shell solar modules was selected. High capacity lead acid batteries offer 21 days of reserve autonomy to ensure system operation in even the coldest temperatures. SPS also supplied a thermally insulated battery enclosure, array mounting brackets and a temperature compensated electronic charge controller.

With over seven years of field experience, the track record of SPS's SCADA power systems are excellent. During the record cold winter of 1995, with sustained temperatures of less than O -25 C for over three weeks, there were no power system failures. The reliability of the power system, the longevity of the components and minimal maintenance requirements have led the customer to choose SPS's solar power systems for all automated gas wells.