Solid state white light source powered by photovoltaic panels

• Main Author: Lim, Shaun Weiqing.
• Other Authors: Wong Kin Shun, Terence
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Electric apparatus and materials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/20760
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Solar energy presents the greatest potential for a renewable energy source in Singapore. This is due to its geographical location in the equatorial sun belt. Subject to weather conditions, the potential amount of sunlight hours is 12 hours a day. White light emitting diodes (WLEDs) are being positioned as a solid state replacement for current lighting systems using fluorescent tubes and incandescent light bulbs. With greater efficacy and lower energy consumption, WLEDs offer an environmentally friendly light source alternative. WLEDs have the advantage of being able to be driven by DC voltage sources, presenting the opportunity for portable battery operated WLED systems. Supercapacitors with their higher capacitance value, compared to normal capacitors, have been used as back up energy sources for low current applications or as energy storage devices for regenerative power in industrial and automotive applications. It presents an alternative to traditional rechargeable batteries for an energy storage device in portable applications. This project explores the feasibility of integrating the different technologies into a standalone autonomous solar powered WLED lighting system. In this project, a prototype system was developed, designed and fabricated. Design objectives were for the system to be fully charged within 8 hours and light up for 12 hours. Test results show the system is able to perform full charge within 4 hours of sunlight and produce light output for about 12 hours.