Operating environment: −40 °C to +75 °C
The DESERT SHIELD climate class is a specialized autonomous energy station designed to operate under the most demanding environmental conditions: extreme solar radiation, surface temperatures up to +75°C, severe sandstorms, and nighttime freezing in winter desert environments down to −40°C. This dual-extreme capability makes DESERT SHIELD the only GT GmbH system rated for year-round desert operation without climate-zone switching.
The station features a proprietary 180° storm-folding mechanism where solar panels fold completely glass-to-glass, transforming into a sealed armored assembly with only aerospace-grade aluminum frames exposed to abrasive dust. Combined with integrated atmospheric water generation (AWG) and advanced thermal management, DESERT SHIELD delivers uninterrupted power in locations where conventional solar installations fail within months.
+75 °C
−40 °C
IP66/67
200+ km/h
4.32 kWp
16 / 32 / 48 kWh
The signature DESERT SHIELD feature is its patented two-stage storm protection system, inherited from defense applications and now available for commercial deployment.
Stage 1 — Horizontal Book Fold (180°): One wing of the 3×2 panel array rotates 180° toward the other. Panels fold GLASS-TO-GLASS like a closed book lying flat. Only aluminum frame edges remain exposed; glass surfaces are completely protected inside the "sandwich."
Stage 2 — Vertical Tilt (90°): The entire folded assembly tilts upward to vertical position. Final configuration: closed book standing on its spine. Wind and sand encounter only the narrow aluminum frame edge — total exposed area reduced by 95%.
Trigger Conditions: Anemometer >100 km/h sustained, sandstorm detection (particulate sensor), or manual override via Mission Control.
The dual-axis tracking system operates in six distinct modes, automatically transitioning based on environmental sensors and predictive weather data from Mission Control.
| Mode | Position | Purpose | Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRACKING | Sun-following | Dual-axis tracking, maximum energy harvest | Default daytime operation |
| STORM | 180° + 90° vertical | Full sandstorm protection, glass sealed | Wind >100 km/h or sand detection |
| NIGHT | Horizontal flat | Maximize radiative cooling, dew collection | Irradiance <50 W/m² |
| WASH | 45° tilt | AWG-assisted panel cleaning cycle | Scheduled or dust sensor threshold |
| SERVICE | Vertical 90° | Ground-level maintenance access | Manual override (remote/local) |
| HAIL | 180° closed + inverted | Glass protection, aluminum facing up | Hail forecast or acoustic detection |
DESERT SHIELD employs aerospace-derived dual-axis tracking optimized for high-temperature operation and extreme precision in desert environments where every degree of alignment translates to measurable energy gains.
All exposed aluminum surfaces on DESERT SHIELD receive a multi-layer protective treatment derived from aerospace applications, specifically developed to resist abrasive desert sand particles traveling at high velocities.
Al₂O₃ Hard Anodizing (Type III): Primary protection layer, 50–75 μm thickness. Vickers hardness 400–600 HV (comparable to hardened steel). Integral to aluminum substrate — cannot chip, peel, or delaminate. Provides excellent resistance to particle impact erosion typical in sandstorm conditions.
DESERT SHIELD incorporates a closed-loop thermal management system that serves dual purposes: maintaining battery and electronics within optimal temperature ranges, and generating potable water from atmospheric humidity using waste heat.
The integrated AWG system utilizes the refrigeration cycle's cold side to condense atmospheric moisture, producing clean water for panel washing and, in extended configurations, supplemental potable water.
DESERT SHIELD utilizes a modular 2 kW inverter block architecture with N+1 redundancy. If any single module fails, the system continues operating at full rated power without interruption.
DESERT SHIELD is available in three pre-configured tiers, each optimized for specific deployment scenarios. Custom configurations available on request.
Essential Desert Operation
BASE CONFIGURATION
Ideal for: Remote telecom, IoT networks, security systems
Extended Capability
HYBRID
Ideal for: Military forward bases, oil & gas, agricultural monitoring
Maximum Autonomy
ULTIMATE
Ideal for: Remote research stations, defense installations, humanitarian operations
Calculated based on 90% Depth of Discharge (DoD). Formula: (Capacity × 0.9) / Load = Hours
| Load Profile | CORE-16 (14.4 kWh usable) |
HYBRID-32 (28.8 kWh usable) |
ULTIMATE-48 (43.2 kWh usable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50W (IoT/Gas sensors) | 288h (12 days) | 576h (24 days) | 864h (36 days) |
| 150W (Security cameras) | 96h (4 days) | 192h (8 days) | 288h (12 days) |
| 300W (C-UAS Radar) | 48h (2 days) | 96h (4 days) | 144h (6 days) |
| 500W (Telecom Hub) | 29h (1.2 days) | 58h (2.4 days) | 86h (3.6 days) |
| 800W (Oil/Gas Monitoring) | 18h (0.75 days) | 36h (1.5 days) | 54h (2.25 days) |
Note: Autonomy calculations assume no solar input. Actual autonomy with partial solar can extend 2–3× in typical desert conditions.
DESERT SHIELD is specifically engineered for arid and semi-arid regions worldwide where extreme heat, dust storms, and temperature swings present significant challenges to conventional solar installations.