Renewable Solar Power Solution for Remote Noise Monitoring

JCE designed and supplied a self-sufficient solar power system to provide reliable power for a remote noise monitoring device near Edinburgh Airport.

JCE was approached to develop a renewable energy solution for a noise monitoring device being installed near Edinburgh Airport.

The installation supports noise monitoring activities around the airport area, helping enable the collection of reliable data from a remote monitoring location. Edinburgh Airport’s Noise Action Plan 2024–2028 outlines its approach to managing and mitigating the impact of aviation noise on surrounding communities, with noise monitoring forming part of this wider approach.

This is the first monitoring device of its kind being deployed in the area for the client, with the potential for further units to be installed at additional locations in the future.

The noise monitoring device is being installed near Craigiehall, north-east of Edinburgh Airport, at a location where access to a conventional mains power supply is limited.

The client required a solution that could independently generate and store renewable energy, providing a reliable power supply for the noise monitoring equipment.

Continuous operation was a key requirement, with the power system needing to be designed around the client’s requirement for 100% availability to the monitoring load.

The client also wanted to minimise work at the installation location. A plug-and-play approach was therefore required to reduce installation time, simplify deployment and minimise disruption on site.

JCE designed and supplied a complete Safe Area Solar Assembly, providing an independent source of renewable power specifically configured around the requirements of the noise monitoring equipment.

The system incorporates three 365 W solar panels, these are integrated with a JCE Safe Area Solar Charge Controller and Safe Area Battery Enclosure, providing the generation, storage and power management required for remote operation.

The complete solution includes:

• Three 365 W solar panels
• Safe Area Solar Charge Controller
• Safe Area Battery Enclosure ensuring 6 days autonomy in case of absence of sun
• Battery
• Battery isolator
• Solar isolator
• Associated drawings, installation and maintenance information and EU Declaration
• The system incorporates inbuilt testing functionalities in order to facilitate the O&M operations.

The solar panels generate power during daylight hours, while the integrated charge control and battery storage system manages and stores energy for use when solar generation is reduced.

By integrating the key components into a complete engineered package, JCE has also created a practical plug-and-play solution that minimises the work required during installation.

• Independent Renewable Power
  • The system generates and stores its own energy, removing the requirement for a permanent connection to the electrical grid.
  • Three 365 W solar panels provide the renewable generation required to support the remote monitoring application.
• Reliable Energy Storage
  • Integrated battery storage and charge control support continued operation during periods of reduced solar generation.
• Designed for Continuous Operation
  • The system has been engineered around the client’s requirement for 100% power availability to the noise monitoring load.
• Plug-and-Play Installation
  • The integrated design simplifies deployment and reduces the amount of installation work required at the monitoring location.
• Suitable for Remote Locations
  • With no reliance on a permanent mains supply, monitoring equipment can be deployed in locations where establishing conventional electrical infrastructure would be difficult or impractical.
• Scalable Solution
  • The design provides a repeatable approach that can be adapted to support the potential deployment of further monitoring devices around the airport area.

The JCE solution provides the client with an autonomous renewable power system capable of supporting remote noise monitoring without the need for a conventional mains connection.

Combining solar generation, battery storage and power management within an integrated system reduces the infrastructure required at site while providing a reliable source of power for continuous monitoring.

The project demonstrates how off-grid renewable energy can enable environmental monitoring equipment to be deployed in remote or infrastructure-limited locations, providing greater flexibility over where monitoring devices can be positioned.

As the first installation for the client in the area, the project also establishes a scalable approach that could support the future deployment of additional noise monitoring devices around Edinburgh Airport.