PTR Solar Power: The Polaris Power System

Did you know PTR manufactures Solar Power equipment?

As an industry leader, we’re continually striving to leverage advancements in technology. Our Solar Power option provides an environmentally-friendly alternative to powering equipment. By utilizing energy from the sun, you’ll see significant savings with installation and operating costs.

Our model Polaris Power System solar power option enables your organization to take a critical step in becoming a universal green energy. If your company has “green” goals, this is a great way to get there! Solar Power helps protect our environment, as well as our economy as we move into a future.

The Polaris Power System provides a complete integrated solution of powering your waste equipment. It can be a stand-alone power source that requires NO external power. Or, it can be used as a hybrid energy option. With the latter option, you would need the support of an alternate 120 VAC charging configuration.

PRIMARY COMPONENTS

The primary components of the solar power option include:

• Two 42 volt PV Photovoltaic Solar Panels,Each rated at 350 Watt. This converts sunlight into DC for powering and charing the machine.

• 6KW inverter with built in AC charger and built in Solar MPPT charger.

• 48 VDC 120Ah Battery Pack. This stores energy potential for machine power.

• Auxiliary Power to run the compactor. There are 2 option here. The first requires the operator to install a 120VAC 30Amp power line. The second line provides a 100ft plug in cord that can be powered by an 15amp convenience outlet for supplemental charging.

Solar options are based on power requirements and intended use with consideration to frequency of use, number of cycles and recovery time to charge. First, we’ll determine the total power requirements of the machine and then size the capacity of the solar option with regard to the number of cycles.

The Polaris Power System includes an intuitive, easy to use touch screen to serve as the local HMI (Human Machine Interface). System health can be determined quickly and easily based on status conditions including Low Battery Level Alarm, Battery Voltage, Battery Temperature, and many more.

The solar option is usually provided as a factory option and mounted directly to the compactor. Note that if the solar option is provided as a hybrid option, you may need provision of a 120 VAC receptacle at 30 amps.

It’s important to consider that even partial shading of the PV panels can significantly hinder the system’s performance. Ensure that the panels will be completely exposed to sunlight to get optimal performance!

Pictured are the PTR Solar Power Self-Contained Compactor and Solar Power Vertical Compactor. There’s lots of in depth information available, so contact us to learn more or request to be sent a complete manual. 

(800) 523-3654

Industry Update: Cardboard Price Reaches New Heights

A Look at the Steel Industry During The Pandemic

The Fabricator is a magazine that provides market, industry, and product news to metal fabrication professions. Back in April 2020, they published an article called, “A brief history lesson on steel prices during crises”. It was the very early stages of the Covid 19 Pandemic, and the publication drew comparisons to the Great Recession of 08-09 in order to gauge how the steel industry would be affected by the global health crisis.

Reading this article nearly a year later, we know the steel industry, and all those industries that rely on it, are continuing to face significant challenges.

In Spring 2020, steel production and prices were indeed declining, but not nearly as severely as the Recession of ’08. Both hit suddenly and we saw a sharp decline in the demand and cost for steel. In 2020, mills were forced to close or drastically reduce their capacity, along with businesses across the globe.

Fast forward to mid-March 2021. While things are improving concerning the pandemic, many unknowns remain. Steel prices are now setting record highs. Demand is still grossly higher than what supply can keep up with. In an article published just a few days ago, “Steel prices continue to set new record highs week after week’, The Fabricator provides an updated look at how this is presenting very real challenges to fabricators and buyers alike. Availability is restricted, and pricing has become almost unpredictable. Throw the growing inflation into the mix and the landscape looks even more unpredictable.

According to SMU (Steel Market Update), “the market on March 8-9 showed the benchmark price for hot-rolled steel reaching $1,270/ton ($63.50/cwt), topping the previous high mark set in 2008 by $200/ton.” (TheFabricator.com)

Things to consider as one navigates this:

1. How and when to pass the price increase along to the consumer. Now is the time to plan on how to roll this out.

2. Keep your eye on inflation indicators, in particular, wage increases. While some industries like construction and hospitality are seeing increases, this isn’t affecting all industries. Wage inflation is a key driver of inflation.

3. Consider stockpiling inventory. Not just with steel, but with any consumable or commodity that is used frequently. This locks on your costs for a period of time. If this isn’t possible, try to negotiate with your suppliers.

4. Build partnerships. Unprecedented times call for thinking outside of the norm. Analyze what type of unconventional business partnerships could help ease the burden of rising steel prices and production costs.

5. Don’t rely on one vendor. Another reason for the rising price of steel is supply chain issues. If possible, have several vendors you can rely on for steel and other commodities, in the event that one can’t deliver.

We post two blog updates here a month, but be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn, for more frequent industry news!

You can read the article from last year in its entirety here, and the latest article here.