Description
ABSTRACT
This work describes the modification of a conventional 3.5kva solar system to a GSM control solar system. This gives the system a remote control of a stand-alone photovoltaic system using a GSM. In normal conditions, the system controls the ON/OFF of a 3.5kva solar system using a GSM sms control. Moreover, through appropriate instructions, users are able to modify the system power control. However, for a more general, flexible and cost-effective implementation, the remote communications are based on the GSM network and, in particular, on the short text message service.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL PAGE
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUNDOF THE PROJECT
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
1.4 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 HISTORITICAL BACKGROUND OF PHOTOVOTAIC CELL
2.2 THEORETICAL REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL
2.3 REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL EFFICIENCY
2.4 REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL MATERIALS
2.5 DESCRIPTION OF GSM
2.6 GSM MODULE INTERFACING WITH ARDUINO
2.7 PRECAUTIONS BEFORE INTERFACING GSM MODULE WITH ARDUINO
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 BLOCK DIAGRAM
3.2 SOLAR CONNECTION DIAGRAM
3.3 WIRELESS MODULE
3.4 COMPONENTS FOR GSM CONTROL SYSTEM USING ARDUINO
3.5 WORKINGS OF THE WIRELESS SYSTEM
3.6 SYSTEM PROGRAM CODE
3.7 HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST INVERTER BATTERY
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULT ANALYSIS
4.0 CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE AND TESTING
4.1 CASING AND PACKAGING
4.2 ASSEMBLING OF SECTIONS
4.3 TESTING OF SYSTEM OPERATION
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 CONCLUSION
5.2 REFERENCES
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The solar inverter is a vital component in a solar energy system. It performs the conversion of the variable DC output of the Photovoltaic (PV) module(s) into a clean sinusoidal 50 or 60 Hz AC current that is then applied directly to the commercial electrical grid or to a local, off-grid electrical network. A solar cell (also called photovoltaic cell) is the smallest solid-state device that converts the energy of sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. A Photovoltaic (PV) module is an assembly of cells in series or parallel to increase voltage and/or current. A Panel is an assembly of modules on a structure. An Array is an assembly of panels at a site. Typically, communication support scheme is included so users can monitor the inverter and report on power and operating conditions, provide firmware updates and control the inverter grid connection.
A conventional solar system involves using the factory made switch to control the ON/OFF of an inverter. However due to the advancement of technology, this old system of controlling a solar system needs to be modified using wireless network – GSM service.
Using wireless network – GSM serviceto control a solar system involves triggering the system remotelywhich allows the user to run the system remotely.
This paper presents the design and modification of a 3.5kva solar system. In this work an arduino is used with GSM module to control the ON/OFF of a solar system remotely. A cell (mobile) phone acts as a modem for the control of the solar system. This is achieved when the mobile phone number is dialed and an appropriate command button is pressed. This design is customized as a central device for the solar device using relay to activate the power gadgets.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
If there is one factor that has perpetually maintained the status of Nigeria as a less developed country, it is its electricity sector. Till date, many households and industrial businesses cannot be guaranteed of 24 hours supply of electricity from the National grid. At this stage of Nigeria’s social and economic development, the country cannot deliver sufficient energy to the citizens despite huge financial resources that have been expended in the sector.
Rather, Nigerians have continued to rely on electricity generators for their power supply, fuel marketers are taking significant portion of households’ institutions of learning’and businesses’ incomes to supply power, noise pollution from regular humming generators have become integral part of living for many Nigerians with imaginable consequences on their health.Because of these problems, solar system was invented. However, for a very long time solar system on/off control have been on manual control which is stressful and consumes time and the worse of it is that it always need human intervention for the system to operate. In order to overcome this problem, a solar system is incorporated with a gsm module which will allow the system to be operated remotely, which is the scope of this study.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aim of this work is work is to design and modify a 3.5kva solar system. The modification is based on the interfacing a GSM module to the system. The objectives of the study are:
- To build the system prototype using arduino and GSM module
- To provide a convenient means of controlling the on/off of a solar system
- To provide efficiency, steadiness in the use of power appliances, by ensuring continuous availability of power supply in the cause of main outage during an execution of an important or urgent assignment. Thereby enabling the departments meet up with its office duties even when central power is not available.
- Reduce load on the National grid that turn to be reduce the overall energy consumption dependency on the main energy supply in the country
- Decrease customer utility bill on energy utilization because of its non-fuel consumption, low price and maintenance cost as compared to the convectional sources of power supplies within International and Local market.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this work covers modifying a conventional 3.5kva solar system by interfacing gsm module and arduino. This will enable the user to enable users to remotely control their soalr systems using a cell phone-based interface. To access the control unit, the user should send an authentication code along with the required/desired function/action to his/her solar system via GSM. Upon being properly authenticated, the GSM-based interface at the solar system (control unit) would relay the commands to an arduinot hat would perform the required function/action, and return a function completion code that would be sent to the source of the original command (user’s GSM).
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Solar system control using GSM can be used to turn on / off the device remotely. It can prove very useful for disabled people. This project can also be used in shop, offices, industry. User has to dial a call to the mobile which is connected to the project. This will go along way helping the student becoming familiar with the operation and application of a GSM module.
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 CONCLUSION
The controlling of solar system wirelessly was discussed in this work. However, various components were designed and tested separately and collectively to ensure it does meet the specification of the end-users by avoiding the incident of fire outbreak as a result of failure to switch off the electronic gadgets which may get burnt when there is slight power surge. This makes the control of solar system to be easy to deal with as against the manual way.
