Mobile solar power trailers, with panels and batteries that fold away for transport, can carry much of that load and cut fuel deliveries significantly. This guide explains how to size and run a solar trailer system for an exploration camp, and where a diesel generator still fits.
Typical camp loads
A small exploration camp may have accommodation units with lighting and fans or air conditioning, a kitchen with refrigeration, an office with computers and satellite communications, a core shed with lighting and saws, and water pumps. Night loads are lower than daytime loads, but refrigeration and communications run continuously.
Estimate daily energy use in kilowatt-hours, not just peak power. Our guide to solar trailer energy per day shows how to build that estimate.
Core shed and laboratory
Core saws, lighting, dust extraction and small laboratory instruments add daytime load, sometimes in short, heavy bursts. Solar output is highest when this work happens, which suits solar well.
Sensitive instruments may need clean power from an inverter with good voltage regulation, or a small UPS.
Drill rig support
Most drill rigs carry their own diesel engines, so they are not usually powered from the camp system. However, drill sites may need power for lighting, pumps, compressors or monitoring equipment. A second, smaller solar trailer at the drill site can cover these loads and reduce idling of rig engines.
Plan drill site power separately from camp power, because drill sites move more often than camps.
Sizing panels and batteries
Panel capacity must cover daily energy use with margin for cloudy days and seasonal changes in sunlight. Battery capacity must carry the night load and some reserve. A trailer that is too small will run its batteries down and rely heavily on diesel; one that is too large adds cost and transport weight.
Use local solar data for the site and season. Exploration in tropical regions may face long rainy seasons with much lower output.
Diesel backup in a hybrid
Few camps run on solar alone. A diesel generator sized for peak loads and battery charging provides backup on cloudy days and covers high loads such as air conditioning in hot weather. The hybrid controller starts the generator only when batteries reach a set level.
This approach can cut generator running hours substantially, reducing fuel, maintenance and noise. Our comparison of solar and diesel mobile power explains the trade-offs.
Moving between targets
Solar trailers are designed to fold, secure and tow. When a camp moves, the trailer can be packed and relocated with the rest of the camp. Plan the move so panels are stowed carefully and batteries are protected from shocks and extreme temperatures in transit.
Check towing requirements and road conditions. Exploration access tracks can be rough, and trailers need suitable axles and tyres.
Wet and dry seasons
In regions with distinct seasons, solar output and camp loads can change significantly. Dry seasons may bring dust that reduces panel output, requiring regular cleaning. Wet seasons bring cloud and possibly flooding that limits access.
Adjust expectations for diesel use by season, and plan fuel deliveries accordingly.
Security and theft
Panels, batteries and cables are valuable. Camps should secure trailers with locks, fencing and lighting where possible. Remote monitoring of battery state and alarms helps detect tampering.
Mark equipment clearly and keep records of serial numbers to help recovery if theft occurs.
Fuel and logistics savings
Every litre of diesel not burned saves the cost of the fuel and the cost of moving it to site, which can be several times the fuel price for remote or fly-in camps. Fewer fuel deliveries also mean fewer vehicle movements, lower safety risk and less disturbance to the area.
Track fuel use before and after adding solar to measure the real saving.
Environmental and community benefits
Exploration companies increasingly report environmental performance to investors and regulators. Solar reduces emissions, noise and fuel spill risk at the camp. Quieter camps are also better neighbours to nearby communities and wildlife.
These benefits can support permitting and community relations as a project moves from exploration toward development.
Commissioning at a new camp
Each time a trailer arrives at a new camp, run a short commissioning routine. Orient and tilt the panels for the site latitude, check all cable connections after transport, confirm battery state of charge and temperature, and test the hybrid controller’s generator start and stop settings. Walk the camp with the site manager to confirm which loads are connected to the solar system and which stay on the generator.
Record the first week of energy production and generator hours. That baseline shows quickly whether the system is performing as expected at the new location, and whether loads need to be rearranged.
Scaling up as the project grows
If exploration succeeds and the project moves toward feasibility, power needs grow. Additional solar trailers can be added, or the experience can inform the design of a larger hybrid system for construction and operations. Our guide to off-grid solar trailers explains how systems can be combined.
Planning for growth early helps avoid replacing equipment that could have been expanded.
Who wrote this guide
Our hybrid power engineers wrote this guide from designing solar, battery and diesel systems for remote mining and infrastructure sites. USP&E designs, delivers and maintains those systems as the contractor, never as a broker, drawing on 24+ years in power, 150+ power projects in 45+ countries and 25,000 MW contracted since 2002. Our hybrid work is outlined on the hybrid power systems page.
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Exploration camp solar questions
Can a solar trailer power an entire exploration camp?
It can carry much of the load, especially in daytime, but most camps pair it with a diesel generator for cloudy periods and high loads.
Do solar trailers power drill rigs?
Usually not the rig engines, but they can supply lighting, pumps and monitoring at drill sites.
How much fuel can a solar trailer save?
It depends on loads, sunlight and battery size. Tracking fuel use before and after installation gives the real figure for each camp.
Can solar trailers move with the camp?
Yes. They fold and secure for towing, so they move with the camp between exploration targets.
Power your next camp with solar
Send your camp layout, loads and location, and our engineers will size a solar trailer and hybrid backup system for your exploration program.
Use the hybrid power enquiry form for a structured request, email info@uspeglobal.com with any site data you hold, or ring +27 10 822 2324 to speak to an engineer. Generators that pair well with solar trailers are listed on our inventory page.