College students come up with sensor-based solar light system

Jalandhar, February 9

A research team of CT Group of Institutions has made a passive infrared (PIR) sensor-based solar light system.

Navdeep Singh, assistant professor, electronics and communication engineering, said: “The system consists of a solar panel module that converts light energy (photons) from the sun to generate electricity in direct current form. This module is fixed firmly on top with suitable tilt and inclination so as to receive maximum sunlight throughout the day. So, it produces suitable voltage and current, which is used to charge the battery. This energy stored in the battery is used to light up the LED during night time.”

He said the main feature of this light was “Walk By, Lights On: Motion Sensor”. “Solar light can detect up to 140 degrees with a longer sensor length of 26 feet IP65 waterproof rechargeable solar lamp. It can convert up to 17 per cent of the sunlight into electricity energy,” he said.

Singh said: “This system also consists of charge controller, which is used to control the charging of the batteries. Since the output from solar panels is variable and needs adjustments, charge controllers fetch the variable voltage/current from solar panels and condition it to suit the safety of the batteries. The main functions of charge controllers are to prevent overcharging of batteries from solar panels, over-discharging of batteries to the load and to control the functionalities of the load. The charge controller protects the battery from overcharge and deep discharge.”

Appreciating the efforts of the team, director Dr Jasdeep Kaur Dhami said in spite of all these features, this development could be implemented as a sustainable energy. “Also, we are planning to solarise some parts of our campus,” she said. — TNS