Chile's General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC), in partnership with Thales, inaugurated the world's first 100% solar-powered radar station, located at an altitude of over 3,500 meters in the Atacama Desert. With 340 solar panels, the station takes advantage of the region's high radiation to ensure the control and surveillance of civil and military air traffic, generating around 960 kWh per day. The installation, which combines primary and secondary surveillance radars, represents a significant advance in the safety and efficiency of air operations in northern Chile, as well as demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and the preservation of local archaeological sites. The project involved the collaboration of three countries (France, Chile and Brazil), with around 30 people distributed between DGAC, Thales and Clemar, a Brazilian company that is part of the consortium and responsible for providing the project's civil infrastructure. Jobs were created for another 300 people living in the region, who acted as suppliers and collaborators.
Source: Forças de Defesa Newsroom April 24, 2024