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
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.
