Authors :
Chikwudo O. Nwoye; Stella O. Ezeonu; Ugochukwu J. Nwoye; Dozie T. Ekwunife
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 6 - June
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/3mrsbf55
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8116806
Abstract :
The embrace of solar energy by government
and individuals for the installation and operation of
public energy-enabled facilities is gradually dwindling in
recent times for reasons that may not be entirely cost
related especially with the recent past administration of
the Anambra State governments preference for diesel
powered street lights for eight years, the study was
motivated to focus on the need for adequate
measurement and evaluation of the output current,
output voltage, temperature, and open circuit voltage of
the solar energy system in the target area towards
assessing the environment’s suitability for household
and commercial based rich energy generation,
operations and sustainability. Adopting the Maximum
Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology, a brand new
ATmega328P Microcontroller System denoted as
CONST, was designed, constructed and implemented
with the aid of Current sensor (ACS 712), Voltage sensor
(Resistors 100Kohms), and Temperature sensor (LM35)
Other materials used for the construction were
Aluminum Heat Sink, Relay (5V), LCD, Vero circuit
board, 1mm flexible wire, white medium size casing,
solder, DC to DC Converter, and Buzzer sound alarm.
The field measurement was implemented using two PV
Solar Panels 280W, two 12V batteries (200AH and
70AH), two inverters (1KV and 12KV), two 100Watts
bulbs as load, and one Multimeter. In order to achieve
the objective of the study, the Constructed (CONST)
ATmega328P microcontroller system and another but
Industrial-Made (INDUSM) ATmega328P
Microcontroller system were utilized to conduct the field
measurement. Relevant data readings obtained were
comparatively analyzed using graphs and the One Way
ANOVA statistical tool. Output/results obtained showed
that on day 1, under CONST System, when temperature
is at 25oC (day 1), 30oC (day 2) and 33oC (day 3) at
0800hour, maximum Current and Voltage output of
3.45A (day 1), 7.36A (day 2) & 4.93A (day 3) and 14.11V
(day 1), V (day 2) & 13.21V (day 3) are observed. But
under the INDUSM System, a maximum Current and
Voltage of 6.6A (day 1) 8.1A (day 2) & 6.27A (day 3) and
10.3V (day 1), 10.4V (day 2) & 13V (day 3) are obtained
at 0800hour as Temperature output reads 38oC (day 1),
37oC (day 2) & 36oC (day 3). A higher output was
however observed at 1200hour. Under the CONST
System, when Temperature rises to 49oC (day 1), 45oC
(day 2) & 51oC (day 3), a maximum Current and Voltage
output of 9.11A (day 1), 12.5A (day 2) & 10.73A (day 3)
and 14.66V (day 1), 20.41V (day 2), & 14.47V (day 3) are
recorded. This is a bit different from the observations
under the INDUSM System where at 1200hour when
Temperature rises to 44oC (day 1), 57oC (day 2) & 43oC
(day 3), a maximum Current and Voltage output of
13.2A (day 1), 11.6A (day 2) & 12.42A (day 3) and 13.9V
(day 1), 13.4V (day 2) & 15.3V (day 3) are obtained.
Keywords :
ATmega329P Microcontroller, Output Current, Output Voltage, Solar Energy Measurement System, Temperature.
The embrace of solar energy by government
and individuals for the installation and operation of
public energy-enabled facilities is gradually dwindling in
recent times for reasons that may not be entirely cost
related especially with the recent past administration of
the Anambra State governments preference for diesel
powered street lights for eight years, the study was
motivated to focus on the need for adequate
measurement and evaluation of the output current,
output voltage, temperature, and open circuit voltage of
the solar energy system in the target area towards
assessing the environment’s suitability for household
and commercial based rich energy generation,
operations and sustainability. Adopting the Maximum
Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology, a brand new
ATmega328P Microcontroller System denoted as
CONST, was designed, constructed and implemented
with the aid of Current sensor (ACS 712), Voltage sensor
(Resistors 100Kohms), and Temperature sensor (LM35)
Other materials used for the construction were
Aluminum Heat Sink, Relay (5V), LCD, Vero circuit
board, 1mm flexible wire, white medium size casing,
solder, DC to DC Converter, and Buzzer sound alarm.
The field measurement was implemented using two PV
Solar Panels 280W, two 12V batteries (200AH and
70AH), two inverters (1KV and 12KV), two 100Watts
bulbs as load, and one Multimeter. In order to achieve
the objective of the study, the Constructed (CONST)
ATmega328P microcontroller system and another but
Industrial-Made (INDUSM) ATmega328P
Microcontroller system were utilized to conduct the field
measurement. Relevant data readings obtained were
comparatively analyzed using graphs and the One Way
ANOVA statistical tool. Output/results obtained showed
that on day 1, under CONST System, when temperature
is at 25oC (day 1), 30oC (day 2) and 33oC (day 3) at
0800hour, maximum Current and Voltage output of
3.45A (day 1), 7.36A (day 2) & 4.93A (day 3) and 14.11V
(day 1), V (day 2) & 13.21V (day 3) are observed. But
under the INDUSM System, a maximum Current and
Voltage of 6.6A (day 1) 8.1A (day 2) & 6.27A (day 3) and
10.3V (day 1), 10.4V (day 2) & 13V (day 3) are obtained
at 0800hour as Temperature output reads 38oC (day 1),
37oC (day 2) & 36oC (day 3). A higher output was
however observed at 1200hour. Under the CONST
System, when Temperature rises to 49oC (day 1), 45oC
(day 2) & 51oC (day 3), a maximum Current and Voltage
output of 9.11A (day 1), 12.5A (day 2) & 10.73A (day 3)
and 14.66V (day 1), 20.41V (day 2), & 14.47V (day 3) are
recorded. This is a bit different from the observations
under the INDUSM System where at 1200hour when
Temperature rises to 44oC (day 1), 57oC (day 2) & 43oC
(day 3), a maximum Current and Voltage output of
13.2A (day 1), 11.6A (day 2) & 12.42A (day 3) and 13.9V
(day 1), 13.4V (day 2) & 15.3V (day 3) are obtained.
Keywords :
ATmega329P Microcontroller, Output Current, Output Voltage, Solar Energy Measurement System, Temperature.
