A preliminary assessment of the near-term market for photovoltaic highway applications is presented. Among the potential users, two market sectors are considered: government and commercial. Within these sectors, two possible application areas, signs and motorist aids, are discussed. Based on judgemental information, obtained by a brief survey of representatives of the two user sectors, the government sector appears more amenable to the introduction of photovoltaic power sources for highway applications in the near-term. However, considerable interest and potential opportunities were also found to exist in the commercial sector. Further studies to quantify the market for highway applications appear warranted

Bifano, W. J.

Poley, W. A.

Rosenblum, L.

Scudder, L. R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

General Disclaimer 
One or more of the Following Statements may affect this Document 
 
 This document has been reproduced from the best copy furnished by the 
organizational source. It is being released in the interest of making available as 
much information as possible. 
 
 This document may contain data, which exceeds the sheet parameters. It was 
furnished in this condition by the organizational source and is the best copy 
available. 
 
 This document may contain tone-on-tone or color graphs, charts and/or pictures, 
which have been reproduced in black and white. 
 
 This document is paginated as submitted by the original source. 
 
 Portions of this document are not fully legible due to the historical nature of some 
of the material. However, it is the best reproduction available from the original 
submission. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Produced by the NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI) 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19780009992 2020-03-22T06:21:06+00:00Z
^I
	
DOE/NASA/1022-77/22
NASA TM-73863
Q!AS,1-Tf1- 738f3) 	 PBCTCVCL,AIC HIGHWAY
APPLIC'1TICNS: AEEEtS`!EN4 CI IHE REAP-YELN
MARKET ('7A7,A)	 12 p HC A32/MF A)1	 C3CL C5E1
t`x^1,10TOVOLTAIC
HIGHWAY APPLICATIONS:
ASSESSMENT OF THE
NEAR-TERM MARKET
N'18-17935
?tnclas
43/85 04458
t
Louis Rosenblum, Larry R. Scudder,
William J. Bifano, and William A. Poley
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lewis Research Center
Cleveland, Ohio 44135
December 1977
k
t'
FLUis 1978
Y: ^A O ff FACIL117
Prepared for
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Division of p olar Energy
Under Interagency Agreement E(49-26)-1022
4t^
Pr: r:Irl.
':'hi'; frl urt was Irel arerl to ducurcnt w,rk ,;I un4 , :rn.d 1,,r
the tJnited 6tata!: , k vormeont. unithnr the v;ate.j otaty%
N.r lt!, agont, t1m pnitu,l ::tatoL gncrgy Am:eatch and
p evclolront Ildminl5tratron, nor any le,teral erI*loyen'..,
nor any „ t t11Ca1 CUntractora, :JU12;gRtCacr4[Sor thalr
nrrl loyrm;, maLn. any warranty, exprnr,,. , , r iri lied, or
a^a,une :; ln}' loyal liability or renl+anoi"IlLy tOr the
accuracy, con'plctanas:,, or usofulnon % of any lnfnma-
i
	
ti[,n t ajparatus, f-rodut or p¢ouc!;: diuclrsed, or
roprouonti, that ltn uua would not infringo Irlvatcly
1
	
owned rnghts.
k`
I
ORIGINAL PAGD, IS
OP POOR QUALPPY
:I
I Hrpon Nu	 11 vrr inn nl M, s n Nr
NASA TM-73883
4 Tdh •
 amt !ir i hidle
PHOTOVOLTAIC HIGHWAY APPLICATIONS:
ASSESSMENT OF THE NEAR-TERM MARKET
7 Adhry•d
f	 Louis Rosenblum, Larry R. Scudder, William J. Bifano,
and William A. Paley
U 1 r6,nnmq Orysmtmmn Name and Addlm
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lewis Research Center
Cleveland, Ohio 44135
17 swrisonng Agency Name and Add,rss
Department of Energy
Division of Solar Energy
Washington, D.C. 20545
H	 qii r rrt. ( I ,r I,, I N
5 Hr Pnrt P.tlr
December 1077
t. {'rr lioninry tvgeii^:.nm =. C, ^d^^ 	 I
It	 l ^^ iun r l l	 i n r.ie^ni Ili . l .. ,rt `.
E-0452
10 'NnrA Ibut N "
	 -
[lrrntr.nl n (; r ant N,,
13 T YPr ' nl Nrn • ni nnl Vr , ,1 t: :. 
Technical Memorandum
lA 8pnnsnnn9 Agrn,y cnib
DOE/NASA/ 1022-77;22
__ -__ __ -y
r
Prepared under Interagency Agreement E(40-20)-1022
Ie. Abstract
A preiimtnary assessment of the near-term market for photovoltaic highway applications is
presented. Among One potential users, two market sectors are considered: government and 	 i
commercial. Within these sectors, two possible application areas, signs and motorist aids,
are discussed. Based on judgemental information, obtained by a brief su rvey of representatives
of the two user sectors, the government sector appears more amenable to the introduction of
photovoltaic power sou r ces for highway applications in the near-term. However, considerable
interest and potential opportunities were also found to exist in the comnlercinl sector. Further
studies to quantify One market for highway applications appear warranted.
17, Key Wnrds M1991 1 sted by Author(s)) 	 19. Dlsbibubnn statement
Photovoltaic	 Unclassified - unlimited
Terrestrial applications	 STAR Category 85
Market assessment 	 ERDA Category UC-63d
19. Security Cmtnf. (of this rupo,t) 	 2e. Sacunly C1355d Inf this page)	 11. Na nl Pages
Uncla	
I	
Unclassified
	
Far sale by the Niflonfl Te[hnc il I0Ln','n6nn Srtivliu. $pnlq;fn •I I	 21161
H
1PIIOTOVOLTAIC HIGHWAY APPLICATIONS'.
ASSESSMENT OF THE NEAR-TERM MARKET
by Louis Rosenblum, Larry R. Scudder,
It	 William J. Bifano, and William A. Poley
Lewis Research Center
SUMMARY
A preliminary assessment of the near-term market for photo-
voltaic highway applications is presented. Among the potential users,
two market sectors are considered' government and commercial.
Within these sectors, two possible application areas, signs and motor-
rn
W
	 ist aids, are discussed. Based on judgemental information, obtained
by a brief survey of representatives of the two user sectors, the gov-
ernment sector appears more amenable to the introduction of photo-
voltaic power sources for highway applications in the near-term.
However, considerable interest and potential opportunities were also
found to exist in the commercial sector. Further studies to quantify
the market for highway applications appear warranted.
INTRODUCTION
A major goal of the Department of Energy (DOE) National Photo-
voltaic Program is to raise solar cell array production from the pre-
sent 300 kW/year to 600 MW/,year by 1986; a corollary goal is to
stimulate the demand of potential users to absorb this production rate.
In order to achieve these near-term goals, various markets for which
photovoltaics can provide a viable power source need to be penetrated.
For the most part, however, these markets are latent. Many potential
users are unaware or unsure of the benefits and the readiness of solar
s '	 cell power for their applications. Unless such users, and the manu-
i	
ORIGINAL PAGE ,.
OF POOR QUALrXY
.:	 -	 t	 fh:	 b--- _I	 .: 1	 r
2
N
facturers serving such users, are fully cognizant of the solar electric
option, their entry into the solar cell market may be greatly delayed.
Due to the complexity of getting photovoltaic systems into the
marketplace, the government has an important role to fill. This is to
share the risk of new venture development and to facilitate the transfer
to technology to the users and manufacturers. In this endeavor it is a
major objective of the Tests and Applications Project, managed by the
NASA, Lewis Research Center (LeRC) for the DOE National Photovoltaic
Program, to identify and cooperatively test, with selected users, appli-
cations judged to be cost-effective in the near-term. These near-term
applications experiments are structured to engage the active partici-
pation and interest of the private sector; they are intended to lead to
commercial development and marketing of photovoltaic-powered pro-
ducts. It is also expected that these experiments will provide a flow
of application-related information to the technical community, espe-
cially the DOE Photovoltaic Program participants and contractors.
A category of applications termed Photovoltaic Highway Appli-
cations is discussed herein which appears potentially attractive for
the introduction of photovoltaic power sources. This category was
originally identified (1) because of indicated user interest from both
Federal and State Highway Departments of Transportation, (2) be-
cause photovoltaics appeared cost effective in competition with an
alternative power source for several of these applications, (3) be-
cause users have indicated interest in cost sharing experiments, and
finally (4) because such experiments could assist in promoting a gen-
eral awareness of photovoltaics as a power source for other potential
applications.
DEFINITIONS AND TERMINOLOGY
For purposes of discussion, the Photovoltaic IIighway Application
Category has been divided into two major areas: signs and motorist
aids (table 1).
IF(
3
Signs
The signs considered herein are limited to those requiring electric
power for their function, that is, for illumination or motion. These
signs fall into Lwo general user sectors: government and commercial.
The government sector is composed of Federal, state and munici-
pal highway agencies. The signs they use may be characterized as in-
formation, hazard warning, or control. A nocturnally illuminated sign
which alerts drivers to the approach to highway interchanges is an ex-
ample of an information sign. A dust storm warning sign which func-
tions on remote command is an example of a hazard warning sign.
An open/closed/ change lane sign is an example of a control sign.
The major portion of highway signs used by the commercial sec-
tor consists of billboards and other types of advertising signs. Also
included in the commercial sector are railroad crossing signs and
signals.
Motorist Aids
The "Motorist Aid" area of highway applications includes call
boxes, rest stops, and information centers. Most, if not all, appli-
cations in this category fall in the government sector. Call boxes are
those communication linIcs placed strategically along highway systems
in remote areas to enable motorists in trouble to call for assistance.
Rest and information areas are sometimes combined, but in any case
are often not situated near utility power. Power is used by both types
of areas for illumination and occasionally for potable water pumping
and sewage treatment. In the case of information areas, power is also
used for displays such as those dispensing recorded information re-
garding selected areas of interest.
±1
1
A
4
MARKET ASSESSMENT
A brief market survey was made in May, 1977 to obtain prelimi-
navy estimates of markets and the potential for photovoltaic highway
applications. A list of the contacts made during this survey within
the government and commercial sectors is presented in Appendix A.
The major market segments and characteristics of this particular
application category are discussed below.
Signs
The government market is probably more amenable at present to
the introduction of photovoltaic powered signs, due to funding avail-
ability and statutory highway safety require inents, For example, the
highway Trust Fund Acts of 1973 and 1975 include $300 million for
installing various types of warning signs and signals by 1983. The
1976 highway Act allocated $80 million for a new technology dennon-
stration program and $122 million for improved safety signal systems.
A particular example of a potential application cited by a U. S.
Dpartment of Transportation official is the emerging market in change-
able message signs. A sign of this type has been powered by photo-
voltaics since April 19, 1977 as part of a joint experiment between the
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Lewis Research
Center (fig. 1). The sign is one in a network of 40 radio-controlled
highway signs, in the Phoenix-Tucson-Gila Bend region, erected 2 to
3 years ago by ADOT to alleviate chain-reaction accidents caused by
low visibility driving conditions resulting from blowing dust. When
conditions are such that dust storms are possible, the warning system
is activated by a radio control link from a Department of Public Safety
dispatcher in Phoenix. On signal the signs change from a normal
i	 "Interstate 10" directional information mode to "Dust Storm Alert,
Radio 550/620/910. " In addition to powering the changeable message,
the photovoltaic power system also supplies electricity for lighting
and for radio communications. 	
ORIGINAL PALL ^.
OF POOR QUALITY
5The remaining 39 signs are powered by propane fueled, 00-watt,
thermoelectric generators. The photovoltaic system provides a less
expensive operating system; AL" OT estimates that when all signs are
converted to photovoltaic power, they will save approximately $12, 000
a year in sign operating costs.
Another potential market is the 7000 illuminated information signs
to be installed on the Interstate Highway System by the mid-1980's.
Still other possibilities are control signs which are widely used, but
need further investigation to quantify their market potential
The U. S. Department of Transportation officials contacted ex-
pressed interest in establishing working relationships with DOD and
LeRC to educate states regarding the potentials of photovoltaic power
systems and to develop their interest and participation in tests and
experiments. Of eleven state Departments of Transportation surveyed,
all but one expressed interest in photovoltaic power and requested more
information. is
In the commercial sector, the expected revenue from signs and out-
door advertising is estimated to be about $1. 5 billion in 1977. The major
portion of the outdoor sign market consists of 400, 000 billboards, of
which 100, 000 are illuminated. However, present power requirements
for illuminated billboards range from 3 to 5 kW. While it may not be
feasible for photovoltaics to provide power for large billboards unless
illumination level standards change, nothing is known at present re-
garding the market for small illuminated outdoor signs. Industry sources
indicate that the outdoor adveristing market is quite inelastic. ITence
significant price increases, if any, due to the use of photovoltaic systems
may be absorbable. This brief survey pointed up a serious gap that ex-
ists in that the sign industry has little or no information regarding the
capability of photovoltaics.
Another opportunity in the commercial sector is that presented by
railroad crossing signs or signals. According to a study performed by
Aerospace Corp. for DRDA (ref. 1), there are approximately 220,000
ti
i^
Y1
such crossings in the U.S., of which 170, 000 are unprotected. How-
ever, most may not be eligible for federal aid or may be near utility
power. A more detailed look at this segment is needed to determine
the actual potential.
Motorist Aids
The Federal and State highway officials contacted have expressed
interest in possible use of photovoltaics in highway rest areas. Officials
in Georgia and Arkansas have already indicated their desire to enter
into cost-shared experiments for rest area projects in their state. The
overall market potential for these and other motorist aid applications
will require additional investigation, however, to better define the market
potential.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Government markets will probably lead the way in the introduction
of photovoltaic systems for highway applications because of available
funding and statutory highway safety requirements. Further studies to
quantify this market appear warranted.
It is not possible at this time to gauge the commercial sign photo-
voltaic potential. However, interest has been expressed by companies
and trade associations in joint tests and demonstrations. Preliminary
assessment indicates that photovoltaic power systems for large bill-
boards will not be attractive unless illumination requirements are sub-
stantially reduced. Small signs may be a practical application.
t
7z
Arens, John
Illumination Branch
DOT/Fed. Hwy. Adm.
Washington, DC
Brooks, James
Off. Traffic Opns.
DOT, Washington, DC
Connors, Robert
Chief, Traffic Control
Systems Division
Fed. Hwy. Adm. -DOT
Washington, DC
Oliver, Richard
State Traffic Engr.
Texas DOT
Austin, TX
Fenton, Richard
DOT, Washington, DC
Forbes, Carlton
Engr. & Opns.
California DOT
Sacramento, CA
APPENDIX - A GOVERNMENT AND COMMERCIAL CONTACTS
MADE FOR MARKET RELATED INFORMATION
GOVERNMENT
i
George, Bruee
Tech. Spec. for RR
Crossings
Fed. Railway Adm.
Washington, DC
Rudy, Harold
NC DOT
Raleigh, NC
Moellier, Richard
Off. Rt. of Way & Acq
Div.
Fed. Hwy. Adm,
Washington, DC
Maxilian, J.
NY DOT
Albany, NY
McHugh, Paul
Dep. Chief Eng.
MA DOT
Boston, MA
Moberley, George
IL DOT
Springfield, IL
Nevada DOT
Carson City, NV
Catlin, Russ
Chief, Eng. & Design
OH DOT
Columbus, OH
Dody, J. R.
Dir. Bureau of
Traffic Engr.
PA DOT
Harrisburg, PA
Ryan, Donald
Fed. IIwy. Adm.
Washington, DC
Harwood, John
Chief Engineer
VA DOT
Richmond, VA
Wolfe, Gregory
Asst. General Counsel/
Legislation
DOT, Washington, DC
Wyoming DOT
Cheyenne, WY
I	 ORIGINAL PAGE IS
I	 OF POOR QUALITY
8F
i
Claris, Vernon
President, Outdoor
Advertizing Assoc.
of America (Lobby)
Washington, DC
Claus, Jun
Research Inst. of
Signage
Palo Alto, CA
Flannery, Jim
Pres. White Way Sign
& Maintenance Co.
Chicago, IL
COMMERCIAL
Gilchist, R. T.
Dir. Planning
Fed. Sign & Signal
Chicago, IL
Griggen, Ed
Timo-matics
Danville, IL
Lamb, John
Cincinnati Sign Supplies
Cincinnati, OIi
Muoller, Jim
National Electric Sign
Assoc.
Oak Brook, IL
Stump, Howard
Point of Purchase Adv.
Inst.
NY, NY
Swormstedt, Jerry
Signp. of the Times
Magazine
Cincinnati, OH
Tidwell, Roy
Office of Director
National Highway Inst.
Washington, DC
j
Li
it
VII myna
9
REFERENCE
1. Rattin, E. J.: Mission Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Energy
A
	 Conversion. Vol. 2 - Survey of Near-Term (1976-1985)
Civili:m Applic, : ons in the United States. ATR-(7574-07)-1,
Aerospace Corp., 1977. (See also SAN/1101-77/1)
i
10
TABLE I. - PHOTOVOLTAIC HIGHWAY APPLICATION CATEGORIES
User sectorCategory Type
Signs Information Government
Hazard warning (Federal, State,
Control Municipal)
Billboards Commercial
On-site signs
Railroad crossing signs and signals
Motorist Aid Call boxes Government
Rest stops
Information center s
4
I
ORIGINAL PAGP, IS
OF, POOR QUALI%Ty
'r
0
	
•
	
.,I
RADIO 5	 0, gin
01010. ,it,r, p..;., c.•.:'J ' ,1 storm warning sign on Inrrrstste 10 hetv&, cm
ORIGINAL I'AGE
OF PWR QLALI'1",


Photovoltaic highway applications: Assessment of the near-term market

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server