Energy from Sun

Output from the sun is 3.8 x 10 kW Solar energy received by Earth and Atmosphere is 1.7 x 10 World population of 10 with 10kW/person needs 1.0 x 10 kW Enough energy even if 1% land area collects energy at 10% Conversion Efficiency The Sun gives us more energy than what we needed.

Solar energy
The solar energy originates with the termonuclear fusion reaction occur in the Sun August Mouchot was the first person to develop a system that uses solar power in 1878 Solar energy has greatest potential of all the sources of the Renewable energy

Benefits and Limitations of solar energy

Benefits : No pollution No political control Unlimited Low technology

Limitations : Intermintent Low density ( cost effectiveness ) Social acceptance

Solar panel
Semiconductor device known as solar module, photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel. use light energy from the sun to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect. The majority of modules use wafer-based crystalline silicon cells or thin-film cells based on cadmium telluride or silicon. Usually used to store charge in battery. Two types of solar panel , Crystalline and Amorphous.

Amorphous solar panel

Amorphous technology is most often seen in small solar panels, such as those in calculators or garden lamps. Using thin-film to collect energy from the light. Advantage : Relatively low cost per Watt of power generated. Disadvantage : Lower power density; more panels are needed for the same power output and therefore more space is taken up. Besides, amorphous solar panel have a low lifetime .

Crystalline solar panel

Crystalline solar cells are wired in series to produce solar panels. Solar cells are based on silicone. There are three type of crystalline solar panel. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Each cell produces a voltage of between 0.5 and 0.6V. Advantages : Longer lifetime than the amorphous solar panels, lower installation cost, greater heat resistance. Disadvatages : Crystalline solar panels are fragile.

Application of solar energy

Malaysia is the most suitable country that can use solar energy as an alternatif. This is because Malaysia has a total of 10 hours of solar energy each day. Besides, solar energy is safe and environmental than the other source of energy. Solar energy can be apply :

Power powerup a house or factory Industrial Agricultural Water pumping, Dryers, Greenhouse. Domestic Water heating , Cooking Transportation Street light , Traffic light and solar vehicles

But, the application of solar energy in our country is very low. There are no solar usage in the large quantity in Malaysia although Malaysia receive sunlight for a long period.

Watt-peak (Wp)
Watt-peak (Wp) is a measure of the nominal power of a photovoltaic solar energy device under laboratory illumination conditions. Solar panel Watt-peak is measured by using the formula below. Watt peak (Wp) = Voc x Isc

Voc : Open Circuit Voltage Isc : Short Circuit Current

Solar specification

Pm ( Maximum power ) Vmp ( Maximum voltage power ) Imp ( Maximum current power ) Voc ( Open circuit voltage ) Isc ( Short circuit current )
Watt-peak (Wp) for our solar panel is:

20W 17.2V 1.17A 21.6V 1.3A

Watt-peak

: : :

Voc

Isc 1.3A

21.6V x 28 Wp

Solar cell 28 Wp means solar cell have a maximum power of 28Wp during the sun at noon. This situation will last for 4~5 hours. So, 28 Wp x 4~5 hours = 140W. 140W is a maximum capacity usage for each day For an example :

Maximum capacity usage for each day is 140W Bedroom light Living room light Bathroom light 10 watt x 5 hours = 50 watt / day 10 watt x 5 hours = 50 watt / day 5 watt x 4 hours = 20 watt / day ---------------------------------------------total = 120 watt / day

There are 20 watt left to use.

Charge Controller operation

Function of charge controller :

Charge the battery. Stable the charge that entering battery and leaving battery. As a Cut-off to the battery usage.

Overall, charge controller usage is to ensure the battery is in good condition. Charge controller will make sure the battery is not OVERCHARGED and UNDERCHARGED. This will increase the lifetime of the battery.

Charge controller schematic diagram