Design and implementation of cost-effective solar powered portable power bank system for multi-purpose applications

Abstract

Energy is required to do any work. So, to perform any work, be it simply walking or lighting up a locality, energy is required. Different sources of energy can be used for the work to be done. In order to light up a bulb in our home, electricity is needed which is generated by burning Coal or Natural Gas or maybe by a nuclear reaction or probably by a hydroelectric plant set up on a river. These energy sources can be divided into two groups: Renewable (which can be easily replenished) and Non-renewable (that cannot be easily replenished). Most of the energy sources that are used, are non-renewable in nature and hence it is necessary to use energy more efficiently. Also, the rapid use of these exhaustible resources has affected the environment resulting in depletion of the biosphere and accountable for the increasing global warming. So sooner or later we have to rely on renewable resources for energy among which solar energy is an easily available source. Over the last few years, the dependency on the non-renewable resources has increased to a great percentage due to the increase in population. Thus, research to rely more on the renewable resources is on high demand at present and renewable energy targets are increased in a consisting manner in many countries like the European Union and the United States. In this work, an attempt has been made to find out an alternative solution towards the transfer of energy dependencies from replenishable energy to abundant solar energy in charging application with reduced cost. The solar powered portable power bank system incorporates an adequate level of charge protection to the li-ion cells in a highly reduced cost as compared to the market price which results in increased lifespan of the system, thus, proving it be economically feasible product. The study of the characteristics of solar cell and its implementation in solar charging is simulated using Matlab/Simulink before proceeding with the hardware design.