Overview
The Arctic climate class represents the most demanding cold-weather deployment environment on Earth. These systems are engineered for sustained operation during polar night, extreme cold reaching −60°C, blizzard conditions, and months without direct sunlight.
Arctic Edition combines solar generation with an integrated vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) to ensure continuous power during polar night when solar production drops to zero. The hybrid solar-wind architecture, combined with advanced battery heating systems and aerogel insulation, enables reliable operation in conditions that would destroy conventional solar infrastructure within hours.
Where DESERT SHIELD fights heat, ARCTIC EDITION fights cold. The engineering challenge inverts — from active cooling to active heating, from sandstorm protection to ice management, from water generation to preventing freeze damage.
Max Operating Temp
+40 °C
Min Operating Temp
−60 °C
Capacity Options
16 / 32 / 48 kWh
Insulation
Aerogel 20–40 mm
Hybrid Solar-Wind Architecture
Polar Night Solution
The vertical axis wind turbine provides critical energy generation during polar night when solar production is minimal or zero. At latitudes above 66°N, winter brings weeks or months of continuous darkness — only wind power keeps the system alive.
| Energy Source |
Summer (24h sun) |
Equinox |
Winter (Polar Night) |
| Solar |
100% |
50% |
0–10% |
| Wind |
Supplementary |
50% |
90–100% |
Cold Climate Solar Advantage
Solar panels operate more efficiently at low temperatures. The negative temperature coefficient (−0.26%/°C) means that at −40°C ambient, panel output increases approximately 17% compared to Standard Test Conditions (25°C). This partially compensates for reduced daylight hours in polar regions.
Wind Turbine System
H-Darrieus VAWT Design
The H-Darrieus vertical axis design was selected for omnidirectional wind acceptance and low maintenance requirements in icing conditions. Unlike horizontal axis turbines, VAWT requires no yaw mechanism and operates regardless of wind direction.
Turbine Specifications
Type
H-Darrieus VAWT
Rotor Diameter
1200 mm
Rotor Height
2000 mm
Rated Power
500W at 12 m/s
Cut-in Speed
2.5 m/s
Rated Speed
12 m/s
Survival Speed
30 m/s (with brake)
Nominal RPM
350 RPM
Generator Type
Coreless Axial Flux PMSG
Output
3-phase AC → Rectifier → 48V DC
Generator Specifications
Architecture
Dual PCB stator, dual magnet rotor
Stator
6-layer PCB, 6oz copper, 500mm dia.
Magnets
NdFeB N45SH, 20-pole config.
Temperature Range
−60°C to +85°C
Bearings
Ceramic hybrid (Si₃N₄), Krytox lube
Supercapacitor Buffer
Wind gusts create rapid power fluctuations that can stress battery chemistry. The supercapacitor module absorbs these transients, protecting the main LiFePO₄ battery bank from micro-charge cycles.
Supercapacitor Module
Function: Wind gust absorption, battery protection from micro-charge cycles
Panel Operating Modes
The dual-axis tracking system operates in six distinct modes, automatically transitioning based on environmental sensors and weather conditions.
| Mode |
Position |
Purpose |
Trigger |
| TRACKING |
Sun-following |
Normal operation, maximum energy harvest |
Default daytime |
| STORM |
Folded 180° |
Blizzard protection, worm gear locked |
Wind >80 km/h |
| NIGHT |
Horizontal |
Overnight / polar night, minimal wind load |
Irradiance <50 W/m² for 4h |
| SNOW |
Steep tilt 70° |
Snow shedding, self-clearing |
Snow accumulation detected |
| SERVICE |
Vertical 90° |
Maintenance access from ground level |
Manual override |
| DE-ICE |
Oscillating |
Ice removal cycle, cracks and sheds ice |
Ice sensor threshold |
Automatic Triggers
- Wind >80 km/h sustained → STORM mode
- Ice sensor threshold → De-icing cycle
- Irradiance <50 W/m² for 4h → POLAR NIGHT mode
- Snow accumulation detected → SNOW mode (steep tilt)
- Weather API forecast → Preemptive protection
Safety Interlocks
Battery_Temp < −35°C → System HIBERNATION (critical)
Wind > 25 m/s → Turbine brake ENGAGED
Ice detected on panels → STORM mode + de-icing cycle
Snow Management
Unlike desert environments, Arctic deployment does not require active panel washing. Snow naturally slides off panels when tilted to optimal angles. The dual-axis tracking system positions panels at steep angles during snowfall events to facilitate self-clearing.
| Strategy |
Mechanism |
| Self-Clearing |
Steep tilt (70°) causes snow to slide off |
| Active Shedding |
Panel oscillation breaks ice adhesion |
| Bifacial Bonus |
Snow reflection increases rear-side irradiance by 40–60% |
Thermal Management System
Heating-Only Architecture
Unlike the DESERT SHIELD edition which requires active cooling, the ARCTIC EDITION employs a simplified heating-only architecture. The system maintains battery temperature above the minimum operating threshold using direct resistive heating.
| Component |
DESERT SHIELD |
ARCTIC EDITION |
| Compressor |
Secop BD80CN (R290) |
Not required |
| Refrigerant Circuit |
R290 with EEV |
Not required |
| AWG System |
Water generation |
Not required |
| Panel Washing |
Automated |
Not required |
| Heating Film |
Not required |
PTC 100W / 48V |
| PCM Type |
RT28HC (+28°C) |
RT10HC (+10°C) |
| Thermal Function |
Cooling + water |
Heating only |
PTC Heating Film
Type
PTC Self-Regulating / Carbon Film
Nominal Power
100W
Voltage
48V DC (native bus)
Mounting
Direct contact with battery cells
Coverage Area
0.2–0.3 m²
Turn-ON Threshold
Battery temp < +5°C
Turn-OFF Threshold
Battery temp > +10°C
PCM Thermal Buffer
Material Type
Paraffin RT10HC (Rubitherm)
Phase Change Temp
+10°C
Latent Heat Capacity
195 kJ/kg
PCM Mass
10–15 kg
Function
Thermal inertia during heating cycles
Aerogel Insulation
Silica Aerogel Blanket
0.015 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
−200°C to +200°C
Temperature Range
Coverage: Battery compartment, electronics enclosure
Heating Energy Requirements
| Scenario |
Duration |
Energy Required |
| Polar night (16h, −60°C) |
16 hours |
960–1,280 Wh |
| Full day without sun |
24 hours |
1,440–1,920 Wh |
| 5-day polar darkness |
120 hours |
7.2–9.6 kWh |
Autonomy Analysis (Battery Only)
| Mode |
16 kWh Battery |
48 kWh Battery |
| Heating only (60–80W avg) |
8–11 days |
25–33 days |
| Heating + 100W telecom load |
4–5 days |
12–15 days |
| Heating + 300W telecom load |
2–3 days |
6–9 days |
Extended Autonomy (Solar + Wind)
With VAWT operational during polar night, the system achieves continuous operation. At average Arctic wind speeds of 6–8 m/s, the turbine generates 100–200W average, sufficient to maintain a 150W telecom load indefinitely.
180° Storm-Folding Mechanism
Identical kinematic architecture to DESERT SHIELD edition. Panels fold 180° in pairs, face-to-face, protecting glass surfaces from ice accumulation and blizzard-driven debris.
Folding System Specifications
0° to 180°
Deployment Range
>200 km/h
Wind Rating (Folded)
Locking: Zero-backlash worm gear (unpowered hold)
Aerospace-Derived Surface Protection
All exposed aluminum surfaces on ARCTIC EDITION receive a multi-layer protective treatment derived from aerospace applications, providing exceptional resistance to ice adhesion, salt spray, and mechanical stress from thermal cycling.
Al₂O₃ Hard Anodizing (Type III): Primary protection layer, 50–75 μm thickness. Vickers hardness 400–600 HV (comparable to hardened steel). Integral to aluminum substrate — cannot chip, peel, or delaminate. Provides excellent resistance to ice abrasion and thermal shock in extreme cold conditions.
Surface Treatment Stack
Base Material
6063-T6 Aluminum
Primary Coating
Al₂O₃ Type III Hard Anodize
Coating Thickness
50–75 μm
Surface Hardness
400–600 HV
Sealer
PTFE-impregnated (ice-phobic)
Temperature Range
−60°C to +85°C
Salt Spray Rating
1,000+ hours (ASTM B117)
Panel Glass Protection
Glass Type
Low-iron tempered, 3.2mm
AR Coating
Multi-layer anti-reflective
Hydrophobic Layer
Nano-silica ice-phobic
Impact Rating
IEC 61215 hail test (35mm @ 30 m/s)
Modular Inverter Architecture
ARCTIC EDITION utilizes a modular 2 kW inverter block architecture with N+1 redundancy. If any single module fails, the system continues operating at full rated power without interruption.
AC Inverter Module
Module Power
2 kW per unit
Efficiency
96%
Topology
IGBT high-frequency, hot-swap
Redundancy
N+1 (automatic failover)
AC Power Rack (3+1)
Configuration
3 working + 1 standby
Usable Power
6 kW continuous
Installed Power
8 kW total
Failover
Full power maintained on module failure
Technical Specifications
Solar Array
Panel Model
Risen Hyper-ion Pro RSM132-8-720BHDG
Cell Technology
HJT Bifacial (N-type)
Panel Power
720 Wp + 30% bifacial gain
Panel Count
4 panels (2 folding pairs)
Array Power
2.88 kWp / ~3.7 kWp effective
Panel Dimensions
2384 × 1096 × 35 mm
Panel Weight
32.5 kg per panel
Cell Efficiency
22.8%
Temp Coefficient
−0.26%/°C (advantage in cold)
Cold Weather Boost
+15–20% output at −40°C vs STC
Energy Storage (LiFePO₄)
Cell Chemistry
LiFePO₄ (Low-Temperature Grade)
Nominal Voltage
51.2V (16S)
Capacity Options
16 / 32 / 48 kWh
Usable Capacity
90% DoD
Discharge Temperature
−35°C to +55°C
Charge Temperature
0°C to +45°C (heating required)
Cycle Life
>6,000 cycles @ 80% DoD
Calendar Life
>15 years
Enclosure & Physical
Material
6063-T6 Aluminum
IP Rating
IP65 (elec.) / IP67 (actuators)
Thermal Envelope
−60°C to +40°C
Insulation
Aerogel 20–40 mm
Humidity
0–100% RH
Salt Spray
1000+ hours
Dimensions
Electronics Enclosure
600 × 800 × 400 mm
Array (deployed)
~5.0 × 2.5 m
Array (folded)
~2.5 × 1.2 × 0.15 m
VAWT Rotor
Ø1200 × H2000 mm
Total Height (with VAWT)
~6.5 m
System Weight
~950 kg (incl. VAWT)
Critical: Charging below 0°C damages lithium cells. The PTC heating system MUST bring battery temperature above 0°C before charging commences. BMS enforces this automatically.
Foundation
Arctic foundations must address permafrost considerations and the absence of concrete curing capability in extreme cold.
Foundation Specifications
Type
Helical screw piles OR permafrost anchors
Quantity
6 units (hexagonal pattern)
Dimensions
76 mm shaft, 200 mm helix
Depth
2.0–3.0 m (below active layer)
Installation
No concrete required
Permafrost
Thermal break to prevent thaw
Connectivity & Mission Control
Communication
Primary
4G LTE Cat-M1 / NB-IoT
Secondary
Satellite (Iridium SBD) — REQUIRED
Local
RS485 / CAN / Ethernet
Protocol
SNMP v3 / Modbus TCP
Telemetry
30 sec interval
GPS
Integrated
Sensor Array
Wind
Ultrasonic (0–60 m/s)
Ice Detection
Dedicated sensor
Light Sensors
4× (tracking)
Inclinometer
Dual-axis
Pyranometer
Integrated
Temperature
×8 (extended range to −60°C)
Snow Depth
Ultrasonic sensor
Security
Tamper detection
Configurations
ARCTIC EDITION is available in three pre-configured tiers, optimized for different operational requirements and budget constraints.
CORE
Essential Arctic Operation
BASE CONFIGURATION
Solar Array
2.88 kWp
Battery
16 kWh
180° Storm-Folding
Included
Dual-Axis Tracking
Included
PTC Heating System
Included
Aerogel Insulation
Included
VAWT 500W
Not included
Autonomy (300W)
~53 hrs
Ideal for: Summer-only Arctic deployments, lower latitudes
HYBRID
Polar Night Capable
HYBRID
Solar Array
2.88 kWp
Battery
32 kWh
180° Storm-Folding
Included
Dual-Axis Tracking
Included
PTC Heating System
Included
Aerogel Insulation
Included
VAWT 500W
Included
Supercapacitor Buffer
Included
Polar Night Operation
Enabled
Ideal for: Year-round Arctic operation, telecom, research
ULTIMATE
Maximum Autonomy
ULTIMATE
Solar Array
2.88 kWp
Battery
48 kWh
180° Storm-Folding
Included
Dual-Axis Tracking
Included
VAWT 500W
Included
Satellite (Iridium)
Included
Security Perimeter
Included
Autonomy (300W)
~70 hrs
Ideal for: Defense, critical infrastructure, Antarctic research
Key Features
●
Hybrid solar-wind architecture for polar night operation
●
500W H-Darrieus VAWT with omnidirectional wind acceptance
●
180° storm-folding mechanism — blizzard and ice protection
●
−60°C validated operation with PTC battery heating
●
Aerogel insulation (0.015 W/m·K thermal conductivity)
●
PCM thermal buffer (+10°C phase change)
●
Low-temperature LiFePO₄ cells (discharge to −35°C)
●
Supercapacitor buffer absorbs wind gust transients
●
Cold weather solar boost (+17% at −40°C)
●
Self-clearing snow management (steep tilt + oscillation)
●
Ice detection with automated de-icing cycles
●
Ceramic hybrid bearings with Krytox lubrication
●
Satellite connectivity (Iridium) — required for Arctic
●
Permafrost-compatible foundation (thermal break)
Target Regions
ARCTIC EDITION is engineered for the most extreme cold-weather environments on Earth, where conventional infrastructure cannot survive.
Arctic Circle (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia)
Alaska (USA)
Northern Canada (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Greenland
Iceland
Svalbard
Antarctic research stations
High-altitude mountains (Himalayas, Andes, Alps)
Siberia
Northern Japan (Hokkaido)
Primary Design Factors
- Extreme cold operation (−60°C validated)
- Polar night (weeks/months without sunlight)
- Blizzard and ice storm exposure
- Snow accumulation management
- Permafrost foundation requirements
- Battery heating energy budget
- Wind as primary winter energy source
- Satellite connectivity (beyond cellular coverage)
- 15-year design life in harsh conditions
Certifications & Warranty
CE
European Conformity
IEC 62619
Lithium batteries for industrial
IEC 61215 / 61730
PV module qualification
IEC 62109
Power converter safety
IP65 / IP67
Ingress protection
MIL-STD-810G
Environmental qualification (cold)
UN38.3
Battery transport safety
Warranty Coverage
- System: 5-year comprehensive warranty
- Battery: 10-year capacity guarantee (≥70% SoH)
- Solar Panels: 25-year power warranty
- Actuators: Lifetime mechanism warranty
- VAWT: 5-year warranty
Engineering Philosophy
"Where DESERT SHIELD fights heat, ARCTIC EDITION fights cold. The engineering challenge inverts — but the mission remains the same: reliable power where infrastructure does not exist."
"At 70°N latitude, the sun disappears for months. Only the wind remains. Arctic Edition was designed for this reality."
"Component-level failure is anticipated. System-level loss is not."