A Greenlite System: An Efficient Solar Energy Solution Using A Sun Tracker Panel And A Light Harvesting Control Panel
- Conference
- Location
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Austin, Texas
- Publication Date
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June 14, 2009
- Start Date
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June 14, 2009
- End Date
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June 17, 2009
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Design in Engineering Education
- Page Count
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8
- Page Numbers
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14.32.1 - 14.32.8
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--4840
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/4840
- Download Count
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342
Paper Authors
Zesheng Chen Florida International University
Zesheng Chen is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Florida International University. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2005 and 2007. He also holds B.E. and M.E. degrees from the Department of Electronic Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China in 1998 and 2001, respectively. His research interests include network security and the performance evaluation of computer networks.
Erik Pazos Florida International University
Erik Pazos is currently working as an Electrical Estimator at Hypower Inc. He achieved a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineer this past December 2008. He also achieved Associated in Arts Degree in Summer 2006. With his early age of 25 years old, he has manage to gain 6 year of experience in the construction field; where he has learn the great values and principles of Electrical work. He is currently attending an electrical apprenticeship school to exceed his understanding his knowledge in the Electrical field. He also posses the knowledge of some essential programs in the construction industry.
Darian Garcia Florida International University
Dayron Garcia Florida International University
Julio Duharte Florida International University
Julio Duharte will receive his B.S. in Computer Engineering from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Florida International University in May 2009. His research interests include web applications, embedded programming and computer networks. Currently working for Discovery Cruise Line as Communications Assistant.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
A GreenLite System: An Efficient Solar Energy Solution Using a Sun Tracker Panel and a Light Harvesting Control Panel
Abstract
Reducing high energy consumption and costs is imperative and significant to our daily life. In this paper, we describe a capstone senior design project that develops an efficient energy-saving solution. The solution is called the GreenLite system and consists of two components: a self- adjustable solar tracker panel and a light harvesting control panel.
The solar tracker panel tends to maximize the absorption of solar power. Specifically, the solar tracker panel can adjust itself automatically to the direction where the panel is directly facing the Sun. To achieve this, the component employs photo-sensors to measure the irradiance of the Sun and to provide the feedback signal on the current position of the panel. The component also uses actuators that contain motors to rotate the panel at all possible angles.
The light harvesting control panel designs a dimming fluorescent lighting system. Specifically, the system tends to reduce energy demand by diming lights proportional to the amount of daylight received, based on the measurements from photo-sensors. Moreover, this control panel is powered by the energy obtained form the solar tracker panel.
In the project, the microcontroller dspic30f4011, programmed by C++ language, is used to control the motors on the actuators. The system is also designed as sturdy and lightweight as possible for increased durability and mobility. The details of the implementation are given, and the lessons learnt are discussed.
Introduction
In recent years, there have been increased interest and demand in reducing high energy consumption, avoiding environment pollution, and finding alternative energy. Solar energy is such an ideal alternative. First, solar energy provides a sustainable source for generating power and thus satisfies high energy consumption demand. Second, solar energy is green and can potentially free us from depending on polluting non-renewable sources such as coal, oil, and gas. Last, solar energy is free and can reduce the cost. Therefore, we study an efficient energy serving solution using solar energy in our capstone senior design project.
Our solution is called the GreenLite system and consists of two components:
≠ A self-adjustable solar tracker panel. The solar track panel transforms solar energy into stored electrical power. Our designed solar tracker panel tends to maximize the absorption of solar power. Specifically, the solar tracker panel can adjust itself automatically to the direction where the panel is directly facing the Sun.
≠ A light harvesting control panel. The control panel designs a dimming fluorescent lighting system. Specifically, the system tends to reduce energy demand by diming lights
Chen, Z., & Pazos, E., & Garcia, D., & Garcia, D., & Duharte, J. (2009, June), A Greenlite System: An Efficient Solar Energy Solution Using A Sun Tracker Panel And A Light Harvesting Control Panel Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--4840
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