Mobile solar-powered light tower

Abstract

Provided is a mobile lighting device that can derive power from a renewable energy source, such as solar power. The device can comprise a mobile base unit that can house one or more components of the device. The device further can comprise a solar power module associated with the mobile base unit that converts solar energy into electrical current. The device also can comprise a lighting module associated with the mobile base unit that is at least partially powered either directly or indirectly using the electrical current from the solar power module. The device further can comprise a solar power storage module, such as comprising one or more batteries, for storing energy and discharging as electrical current for powering the lighting module, which can be positioned atop a mast that can be extendable, pivotable, and/or rotatable. The invention also provides methods and systems for illuminating areas.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method for illuminating an outdoor area comprising:
 providing a mobile, solar-powered lighting device comprising:
 a mobile frame unit; 
 at least one solar array pivotally positioned on the frame unit and having an actuator connected thereto, the at least one solar array being configured to provide a power generation capacity of about 600 Watts to about 1,600 Watts; 
 at least one battery or battery bank that is at least partially rechargeable using electrical current from the at least one solar array, the at least one battery or batter bank having a storage and release capacity of at least about 400 amp hours; 
 an extendable mast; and 
 at least one light emitting diode (LED) floodlight connected to the mast so as to be turnable and tiltable relative to the mast; 
   transporting the mobile, solar-powered lighting device to the outdoor area; and   configuring the mobile, solar-powered lighting device in a charging/lighting mode by carrying out the following in any order:
 extending the mast to a lighting height; 
 causing the actuator to automatically pivot the at least one solar array from a transport position to a charging angle relative to a surface upon which the mobile, solar-powered lighting device is positioned; and 
 powering the at least one LED floodlight to provide illumination to the outdoor area per the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) RP-20-98 standards of a minimum horizontal illuminance of at least about 0.2 foot candles (FC), a uniformity ratio (maximum to minimum illuminance) of 20:1, and a minimum vertical illuminance of at least about 0.1 FC. 
   
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , comprising extending the mast so that the at least one LED floodlight is at a height of at least about 20 feet relative to the surface upon which the mobile, solar-powered lighting device is positioned. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the at least one solar array comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one solar array is pivotally attached to the mobile frame unit via the first end, and wherein the actuator is configured to raise or lower the second end of the at least one solar array relative to the first end. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the mobile frame unit comprises a trailer with a floor and wheels. 
     
     
         32 . A mobile, solar-powered lighting device comprising:
 a mobile frame unit;   at least one solar array pivotally positioned on the frame unit;   at least one battery that is rechargeable using at least electrical current from the at least one solar array;   a extendable mast that has a first height and that is extendable to a second, greater height that is at least about 20 feet; and   at least one light emitting diode (LED) floodlight connected to the mast so as to be turnable and tiltable relative to the mast, the at least one LED floodlight being configured to provide illumination of an area per the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) RP-20-98 standards of a minimum horizontal illuminance of at least about 0.2 foot candles (FC), a uniformity ratio (maximum to minimum illuminance) of 20:1, and a minimum vertical illuminance of at least about 0.1 FC.   
     
     
         33 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 32 , wherein the at least one solar array is configured to provide a power generation capacity of about 600 Watts to about 1,600 Watts. 
     
     
         34 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 32 , further comprising an actuator connected to the at least one solar array and configured for automated pivoting of the at least one solar array by raising a second end of the at least one solar array relative to a first end of the at least one solar array. 
     
     
         35 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 32 , wherein the at least one battery has a storage and release capacity of at least about 400 amp hours. 
     
     
         36 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 32 , further comprising a secondary battery charging component separate from the at least one solar array. 
     
     
         37 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 36 , wherein the secondary battery charging component comprises an alternating current or direct current charging device. 
     
     
         38 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 36 , wherein the secondary battery charging component comprises a wind mill configured to generate electrical current. 
     
     
         39 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 36 , wherein the secondary battery charging component comprises a fuel-powered generator. 
     
     
         40 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 32 , comprising one or more independent off-grid solar-powered electric systems that individually comprise at least one solar array configured to form electrical current and at least one charge controller configured to send the electrical current to recharge at least one battery or battery bank that is configured to power at least one LED floodlight. 
     
     
         41 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 32 , further comprising a controller configured for one or more of:
 automatically powering the at least one LED floodlight on and off;   automatically extending and retracting the mast;   automatically pivoting the at least one solar array; and   automatically controlling charging and discharging of the at least one battery.   
     
     
         42 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 32 , wherein the mast is configured for extending via a telescoping arrangement. 
     
     
         43 . A mobile, solar-powered lighting device comprising:
 a mobile frame unit;   at least one solar array pivotally positioned on the frame unit;   an actuator connected to the at least one solar array and configured for automated pivoting of the at least one solar array by raising a second end of the at least one solar array relative to a first end of the at least one solar array;   at least one battery that is rechargeable using at least electrical current from the at least one solar array;   a extendable mast; and   at least one light emitting diode (LED) floodlight connected to the mast so as to be turnable and tiltable relative to the mast.   
     
     
         44 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 43 , wherein the mast has a first height and is extendable to a second, greater height that is at least about 20 feet 
     
     
         45 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 43 , wherein the at least one solar array is configured to provide a power generation capacity of about 600 Watts to about 1,600 Watts. 
     
     
         46 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 43 , wherein the at least one battery has a storage and release capacity of at least about 400 amp hours. 
     
     
         47 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 43 , further comprising a secondary battery charging component separate from the at least one solar array. 
     
     
         48 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 47 , wherein the secondary battery charging component comprises an alternating current or direct current charging device. 
     
     
         49 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 47 , wherein the secondary battery charging component comprises a wind mill configured generate electrical current. 
     
     
         50 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 47 , wherein the secondary battery charging component comprises a fuel-powered generator. 
     
     
         51 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 43 , comprising one or more independent off-grid solar-powered electric systems that individually comprise at least one solar array configured to form electrical current and at least one charge controller configured to send the electrical current to recharge at least one battery or battery bank that is configured to power at least one LED floodlight. 
     
     
         52 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 43 , further comprising a controller configured for one or more of:
 automatically powering the at least one LED floodlight on and off;   automatically extending and retracting the mast;   automatically pivoting the at least one solar array; and   automatically control charging and discharging of the at least one battery.   
     
     
         53 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 43 , wherein the mast is configured for extending via a telescoping arrangement. 
     
     
         54 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 43 , wherein the at least one LED floodlight is configured to provide illumination of an area per the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) RP-20-98 standards of a minimum horizontal illuminance of at least about 0.2 foot candles (FC), a uniformity ratio (maximum to minimum illuminance) of 20:1, and a minimum vertical illuminance of at least about 0.1 FC 
     
     
         55 . A mobile, solar-powered lighting device comprising:
 a mobile frame unit;   at least one solar array pivotally positioned on the frame unit and configured to provide a power generation capacity of about 600 Watts to about 1,600 Watts;   at least one battery that is rechargeable using at least electrical current from the at least one solar array;   an extendable mast;   at least one light emitting diode (LED) floodlight connected to the mast so as to be turnable and tiltable relative to the mast; and   one or both of a forklift glove and a crane eye suitable for lifting of the mobile, solar-powered lighting device and supporting the weight thereof.   
     
     
         56 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 55 , further comprising an actuator connected to the at least one solar array and configured for automated pivoting of the at least one solar array by raising a second end of the at least one solar array relative to a first end of the at least one solar array. 
     
     
         57 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 55 , further comprising a secondary battery charging component separate from the at least one solar array. 
     
     
         58 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 57 , wherein the secondary battery charging component comprises an alternating current or direct current charging device. 
     
     
         59 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 57 , wherein the secondary battery charging component comprises a wind mill configured generate electrical current. 
     
     
         60 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 57 , wherein the secondary battery charging component comprises a fuel-powered generator. 
     
     
         61 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 55 , comprising one or more independent off-grid solar-powered electric systems that individually comprise at least one solar array configured to form electrical current and at least one charge controller configured to send the electrical current to recharge at least one battery or battery bank that is configured to power at least one LED floodlight. 
     
     
         62 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 55 , further comprising a controller configured for one or more of:
 automatically powering the at least one LED floodlight on and off;   automatically extending and retracting the mast;   automatically pivoting the at least one solar array; and   automatically control charging and discharging of the at least one battery.   
     
     
         63 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 55 , wherein the at least one LED floodlight is configured to provide illumination of an area per the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) RP-20-98 standards of a minimum horizontal illuminance of at least about 0.2 foot candles (FC), a uniformity ratio (maximum to minimum illuminance) of 20:1, and a minimum vertical illuminance of at least about 0.1 FC. 
     
     
         64 . The mobile, solar-powered lighting device according to  claim 55 , wherein the mast is configured for extending via a telescoping arrangement.