Solar Charge Controller

Major

Physics

Research Abstract

With solar panels becoming more popular there is a necessity to keep solar panel systems robust, cheap, and efficient with a low level of required maintenance. In the University of San Francisco Community Garden there is a solar charging station. Without proper regulation circuitry, solar overcharging can occur an cause battery lifetime to be dramatically reduced. We implemented a charge controller circuit that uses two voltage comparators to remedy improper solar charging, which ensures the battery a long and useful lifetime. This is an ideal low-cost design that could be implemented in many developing countries’ off the grid energy generators.

Faculty Mentor/Advisor

Thomas Bottger, Ph.D

Course

Physics Directed Research

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Apr 25th, 10:00 AM

Solar Charge Controller

With solar panels becoming more popular there is a necessity to keep solar panel systems robust, cheap, and efficient with a low level of required maintenance. In the University of San Francisco Community Garden there is a solar charging station. Without proper regulation circuitry, solar overcharging can occur an cause battery lifetime to be dramatically reduced. We implemented a charge controller circuit that uses two voltage comparators to remedy improper solar charging, which ensures the battery a long and useful lifetime. This is an ideal low-cost design that could be implemented in many developing countries’ off the grid energy generators.