Powering the Silvanet Mesh Gateway (Generation 3)

The Silvanet Mesh Gateway Gen 3 is engineered for fully autonomous operation in remote forest environments. It features a built-in solar panel on the front face of the device, eliminating the need for external panels and simplifying installation.

Power System Overview

Integrated Solar Panel: The Silvanet Wildfire Sensor includes a 50 cm x 25 cm solar cell on its front housing. It continuously generates energy during the daytime and recharges the device with sufficient power for after sunset. It then begins to discharge until sunrise. After sunrise, it begins to recharge to 100%.

Supercapacitor Energy Storage Management: The Silvanet Mesh Sensor uses a set of supercapacitors to store energy for use by the radio and other components. It stores the energy for day-to-day tasks and has a reasonable amount of reserve power to operate the radio module during the night.

As supercapacitors have an expected lifespan of 10 years or more, the Mesh Gateways are essentially maintenance free. This allows for an expected lifespan between 10 and 15 years.

Supercapacitors have a high capacity but a small maximum voltage of 2.7 V so a series of capacitors are loaded to 4 V. Capacitors are fully charged to 5.2 V.

Key Benefits of the Built-in Solar Design

• No external components = faster installation and fewer failure points
• Designed for forest environments: optimized to work even in dappled light
• Rugged housing protects both the electronics and the solar panel from weather and impact

Installation Tips

To maximize energy capture and ensure uninterrupted operation:

• Mount with the solar panel facing the sun – ideally true south (Northern Hemisphere) or true north (Southern Hemisphere)
• Ensure at least 3–4 hours of direct or filtered sunlight daily
• Avoid obstructions such as foliage, rocks, or overhangs