Introduction

Waleed Atallah– Technology High School– Rohnert Park, California

Solar to Electrical Energy Systems Design:

Creating a mobile energy platform powered by the Sun

A SHIP Project

Ship = Summer High School STEM Internship Program– A partnership between the School of Science and Technology (SST) at Sonoma State University (SSU) and the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE)

The Main Idea

● Solar Energy and its Potential– Under-used in US– Solar Market expected to double by the end of 2012

● Our Objectives– Remote Data Acquisition– Making solar power mobile

The Project

● Portable Energy Source– Converting solar energy to electrical energy– Energy Storage

● 12 Volt Battery

– 110 Volt AC outlet

● Mechanical and Electrical Aspects– Building the frame– Wiring and building the electrical circuits

Engineering Requirements● Structurally Sound

– Top heavy; support– everything on a pole

● Mobile– Easy to move– Easy to transport

● Easy to adjust– Face the sun– Collect most energy

Mechanical Design

● Building the System– Make the parts list

● Supplies● Quantity● Cost● Subtotal

– Shop for the parts– Design and build the– mechanical structure– Design and add electrical circuits

Electrical Engineering

Solar Panels

Voltage Regulator

Battery

Voltage Converter

for electronics

Voltage Inverter for

AC

Electrical Engineering

● 12 to 5 volt converter– 12 Volts in, 5 Volts out

● Customizable– Most electronics run on– 5 Volts– Design, build, and add– Features

Electrical Measurements

● Volt meters and Watt meters– Acquiring Data– Variable Positioning– Solar panels in series and– in parallel

Extra Gadgets

• LED• 12 Volt Tow Light• Light Bulb• Compass• Magnetic Protractor

Results

● Efficacy of Solar to Electrical Conversion

● Maximum Efficiency– Most Power

Completed Project

Accomplishments– Energy Storage– Variable voltage to consistent 12 volts– 12 volts DC to 5 volts DC– 12 volts DC to 110 volts AC

● Future Applications– Emergency/Disaster-Relief Kits

Acknowledgments● ES Department, School of Science & Technology, SSU

● Dr. Ali Kujoory, My Mentor, Engineering Science Dept.

● Dr. Suzanne Rivoire, SHIP Coordinator, Computer Science Dept.

● Jessica McCready, Environmental Science Teacher, Orchard View High School, Teacher Leader, NASA “Energy from the Sun” Project

● Shahram Marivani, Engineering Science Dept.

● John Collins, School of Science and Technology Technician

● The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE)

URL: http://www.sonoma.edu/users/k/kujoory/ship/Atallah_2012.pdf