Solar Panel Simulator

Project Title

Solar Panel Simulator

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

We created a power supply with the current and voltage characteristics of a thin film solar panel for testing solar panels in bad weather and wintertime. The device is best implemented using a 100 W power supply but will also work with a 10 W supply. It steps supply voltage down using an Arduino-controlled power converter. The Arduino detects the device’s current output, calculates the voltage a solar cell would output at that current, and adjusts output voltage to match that voltage. This control occurs through a servo loop. The sunless solar panel allows users to test solar-powered devices regardless of weather conditions. 

Project Objectives

We are working on a simulator that will:

• Have output current and voltage (I-V) characteristics of a        solar panel.

• Output at least 10 W.

• Be safe for inexperienced users.

• Be at least ten times cheaper than commercial alternatives.

• Testing of device does not need to wait for the sun to shine

Project Implementation Method

The first step is to review the literature. After that all the parts of the project will be tested through software and after successful testing we will implement the hardware and combine all the parts with each other as required and then we will verify the results and compare them to a original solar panel output

Benefits of the Project

•High efficiency

•Stability

•Low cost

•Large supporting research and developing community

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

In this project we are using the concepts of power electronics to implement a device that consists of a power converter which will produce the current signal after adjusting load resistor and this signal will be sent to the controller which is coded to produce the required voltage at that current, now the controller will command the digital potentionmeter to control the output of power converter and it will output the required voltage at that current.

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry ManufacturingOther Industries Energy Core Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	2747
controller	Equipment	1	700	700
resistors, capacitors, inductors	Equipment	15	4	60
current sensor	Equipment	1	197	197
digital potentionmeter	Equipment	1	300	300
power converter module	Equipment	1	450	450
connectors and wires	Equipment	3	130	390
lcd	Equipment	1	650	650