Solar power on the NOMAD buoy

In summarizing this report it can be stated that solar energy has been effectively applied to recharge nickel cadmium and lead acid storage batteries for periods of 6 months under natural environmental conditions in tropical ocean areas. The ultimate length of time over which this energy conversion can be accomplished will be answered in continued testing. Field testing over the six month period indicates no measurable deterioration of the energy conversion system. Effectiveness of a trickle charging technique is measurable by specific gravity measurements on a large ampere-hour capacity lead-acid battery. It was not found necessary to orient the solar panels to follow the sun position and that diffused sky brightness conditions over the ocean provide many more hours of effective high level sky brightness conditions than had been anticipated. Two panels were operating during the passage of hurricanes Camille and Laurie in the storm area in the Gulf of Mexico and no deterioration in performance has been detected. Results to date indicate a possible successful correlation of solar energy panels to the measurement of fog and visibility at sea.