Investigation of Solar Energy Applications with Design and Implementation of Photovoltaic Traffic Light Signal System for Qatar

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to promote the use of solar energy in powering traffic signal systems for rural areas in Qatar with no power grid. A photovoltaic system is needed in order to use this energy continuously. The results of the investigation of components, design, and market availability are shown in the paper. Solar cells, which are used for absorbing sunlight and generating electric current, are the main source for the system's operation. A charge controller is used to control the flow of charge through the battery and to protect the battery from overcharging and deep discharging. A dc-dc converter is used to regulate the output voltage which depends on the type of dc to dc converter. Lead acid batteries are used as the electric energy storage for the PV system to use electrical energy in the absence of sunlight. The principle operation of the system and the feasibility of using it for rural area with no power grid have been studied. For this project, a mount tracker was constructed that enabled the solar panel to be placed at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 degree angles in order to determine which angle and what time provides the optimum voltage. Experimental results for different angles of radiation at different times of the day and different days of the year are shown in the paper.

Investigation of Solar Energy Applications with Design and Implementation of Photovoltaic Traffic Light Signal System for Qatar

“…The energy of the absorbed light knocks the electrons loose from their atoms allowing them to flow through the compound. This flow of electrons produces a current that can be extracted and used as electricity [1]. The performance of a photovoltaic cell depends upon the following:…”

“…The practical Photovoltaic Traffic Light Signal system with the real components in the project is shown in Figure 1 where V SC is voltage across the solar cell, V load is voltage across the load (12V stop light signal), V CC = V B is voltage across the charge controller and battery, and I load is current across the load. The specifications of the components of the Photovoltaic Traffic Light Signal system used in this project are shown in [1].…”

PV Cell based Converter for Robotic Applications

“…Renewable energy sources such as wind or solar are weather-driven, and therefore non-scheduled as these sources depend on wind flow or solar activity respectively [1][2]. Small scale photovoltaic technology is costeffective in providing electricity in rural or remote areas, particularly countries like India [3][4]. Solar energy is being increasingly used for hybrid (solar panels and grid) or stand-alone applications and electric power supply.…”

Creating Public Awareness of Renewable Energy by Combining a Photovoltaic System and Nature

“…It was expected, that the load of the generator and the energy harvesting through the photovoltaic cells was not correlated, similarly to the problem described for traffic solar driven lights in [9]. That means, that users would use the AC outlet at times, where the sky was cloudy and therefore the source would not deliver enough energy.…”