Design and Implementation of Solar Battery Charge Control and Level Indicator Circuits for a Photovoltaic System: A Simulation Approach · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Chikono, David

Title

Design and Implementation of Solar Battery Charge Control and Level Indicator Circuits for a Photovoltaic System: A Simulation Approach

Abstract

This study intends to design a solar battery charge controller and level indicator circuits for a photovoltaic system using a simulation approach. The design consists of three stages which include a current booster, battery level indicator and a battery charge controller. In this study, the situation in Zimbabwe has been discussed where electricity has become a day to day problem and solar energy was identified as an alternative source of electricity in this study. This study explains how charge controllers could increase the lifespan of batteries in photovoltaic systems where the batteries are subjected to overcharging and overheating of cells. The Proteus software was used in the design and simulation of current booster, charge controller, level indicator circuits and the solar charge controller and level indicator circuitry in this study. The current booster circuits were simulated at different settings and the results obtained showed a direct variation between the supply voltage and the output voltage was regulated at 14.2V for power supplies greater than 17V. The results obtained from charge controller circuits showed that when the battery’s level of charge was far less than 11.9V, the transistor could not conduct and when the level of charge was set above 11.9V, the transistor started conducting, limiting the current flow to the battery thereby guaranteeing the safety of the battery. Also the level indicator circuits showed the level of charge through LEDs at different levels of charge and all the set conditions resulted in no doubt that these circuits will be helpful in the construction of a real solar battery charge controller and level indicator circuitry. The simulations of the combined circuitry at different levels of power supply and level of charge of the battery showed that the combined circuitry can be tested and implemented in real systems using mostly discrete electronic components. A comparative study of different techniques used in charge controllers is also included in this research.

Date

2023

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Design and Implementation

Solar Battery Charge Control

Supervisor

Dr Masanganise