ST315: Design Of Reverse Current Protection For Solar Charge Controller

LIEW HUI FANG UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PERLIS

Solar energy systems, mainly made up of photovoltaic (PV) panels, convert sunlight into electricity, offering a clean and sustainable energy source. Additionally, the system integrates a robust reverse current protection mechanism that ensures unidirectional flow of electricity, thereby safeguarding the PV cells during non- operational periods or at night. Despite their benefits, these systems face several challenges, including damage from overcharging and overstressing of components, as well as energy loss due to climate changes. Additionally, fluctuations in solar panel output can affect system reliability and energy storage, particularly in off-grid and hybrid setups. These challenges were tackled, by integrating reverse current protection into the charge controller to prevent damage and extend the system's life. By utilizing MPPT technology, the system will optimize the PV panels' power output under various conditions, ensuring maximum energy utilization. The system's performance will be evaluated by measuring the accuracy of power, voltage, and current delivered to the system and load, thereby reducing energy waste. The charge controller will operate with a system voltage of 20 V connected in parallel and a system current of 2.22 A, with a maximum input voltage of 12.5-14.00 V and an expected load voltage of 5.5 VDC The system will use two PV cells, each delivering between 30 W and 40 W with a voltage of 14 V. This project is vital for enhancing energy utilization and system performance, particularly in rural and urban areas, ensuring better energy reliability and sustainability.