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Modular Power Systems for Deployable Command Centers

A command post that runs on a single generator has a single point of failure — and a loud one. Modular battery-and-solar microgrids keep C2 running silently, scale with the mission, and survive the loss of any one module.

NUE Field GuideUpdated Nov 202610 min read
The short answer

Modular power for a deployable command center combines stackable battery generator nodes (e.g., 2.5–5.1 kWh SunCase™ 2425/3651 units), scalable solar arrays built from 240 W modules, vehicle DC charging, and a generator used only for opportunity charging. A small TOC averaging ~700 W (≈17 kWh/day) is typically served by three to four ~5 kWh nodes and ~4–5 kW of solar, with no single point of failure.

ArchitectureSources → battery bank → loads.
ScaleAdd nodes and panels, not bigger generators.
ResilienceLose a node, keep the net.
SilenceGenerator becomes backup, not baseline.

01Reference architecture

Deployable command post microgrid
SOLAR ARRAYVEHICLE / ALT.GENERATOR / GRIDSunFold240 stringsDC-DC charge on the moveOpportunity charge onlySTORAGE + INVERSIONBattery generatorbank (stackable)SunCase 2425 / 3651 nodesCOMMS STACKC2 / ITSUPPORT LOADSRadios, SATCOM, meshLaptops, displays, serversLighting, charging, medical
Every source charges the battery bank; every load runs from it. Losing any single source or node does not drop C2.

02Sizing a command post

LoadSmall TOC (avg W)Medium TOC (avg W)
Tactical radios & retrans120300
SATCOM / LEO terminals80200
Network, servers, switches150400
Laptops & mission planning180480
Displays & projectors60240
LED lighting60180
Charging stations (EUD, NVG, radio batteries)50200
Average total700 W2,000 W
Daily energy≈ 17 kWh≈ 48 kWh
Planning values only. Environmental control (heating/cooling) can add several kW and is often powered separately.
ConfigurationSmall TOCMedium TOC
Battery nodes3–4 × SunCase 3651 (~15–20 kWh)8–10 × SunCase 3651 or NUE-Power 48 V banks
Solar~4–5 kW (16–20 × SunFold240)~12 kW + mobile solar trailer
Vehicle / generatorOpportunity charge in bad weatherGenerator scheduled for top-up only
Inverter capacityDistributed across nodesAdd high-capacity inverter system (e.g., 5 kW SunKit class)
Example configurations; NUE engineers size real deployments from measured loads.
Generator run-hours per day — illustrative small TOC
Generator-only24 h/dayBattery + generator (charge cycling)~6 h/dayBattery + solar + generator backup~0–1 h/day
Illustrative; solar-first operation reduces generator hours to near zero in good weather.

03Why modular beats monolithic

Resilience

No single point of failure

A failed node or panel reduces capacity slightly instead of blacking out the TOC.

Mobility

Move in pieces

Units that two people can lift deploy from any vehicle, aircraft or trailer — no crane, no prime mover for the power plant.

Scale

Grow with the mission

Start with a cell, add nodes and panels as the CP grows from a TAC to a TOC.

Signature

Quiet C2

Silent battery operation; thermal mitigation for exposed nodes; generator only when needed.

04Suppliers by module

ModuleWhat to sourceNUE option
Battery nodesStackable LiFePO4 battery generators with parallel rechargeSunCase 2425, SunCase 3651
Expansion storage48 V lithium battery banksNUE-Power 48 V 100 Ah (5,120 Wh)
High-power inversion5 kW-class pure sine systemsSunKit 5050 (5,000 W continuous)
SolarModular arrays, ground mounts, mobile trailersSunFold240â„¢ arrays, SunWingâ„¢ Gecko mobile solar trailer
Signature managementThermal cases for exposed unitsSunStealthâ„¢
GeneratorTactical generator for opportunity chargingIntegrates with existing fielded generators
Command post / sustained ops
SunCaseâ„¢ 2425
Output
2,400 W
Storage
~2,500 Wh LiFePO4
System
48 V
Weight
~70 lb

Two-person lift. Runs a TOC's comms stack, laptops, lighting and charging banks.

View SunCaseâ„¢ 2425Get a configured quote

05Frequently asked questions

How do you power a deployable command center without a generator?
Use a bank of stackable battery generators sized to the command post's nightly energy, recharged by a solar array sized to daily energy, with vehicle charging as backup. Keep a generator only for extended bad weather.
How much power does a tactical operations center use?
A small TOC commonly averages 0.5–1 kW (12–24 kWh per day) before environmental control; larger TOCs average several kW. Measure loads to size the system accurately.
What is a tactical microgrid?
A local network of power sources (solar, batteries, generators, vehicles) and loads that operates independently of the grid, with storage balancing supply and demand.
Can SunCase units be combined?
Yes. The SunCase line supports stackable, parallel recharge architectures so multiple units can be charged together and deployed as nodes of a larger system.

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Sources & references
  1. NUE — SunKit 5050INT datasheet
  2. NUE — NUE-Power 48V 100Ah datasheet
  3. EIN Presswire — SunFold240

Published by New Use Energy (NUE), a veteran-led portable power company and manufacturer of the SunCaseâ„¢ line. Where we compare our products to other categories or companies, we say so. Specifications are nominal; confirm the current datasheet before procurement. Planning figures for device loads are typical values; measure your own equipment. Last updated 2026-11-03.

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