Solar powered weather station
PV generator and mechanical design group
M.C. Haas (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
A.W. van der Knaap (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
P. Manganiello – Mentor (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
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Abstract
This project deals with the design of a weather station that can work completely offgrid. Its only source of power must be an embedded PV panel. The energy generated by the PV panel can be directly used by the station itself or stored in a battery. Energy can be drawn from the battery when the energy from the PV panel is not sufficient or totally absent (for instance during night). The design of this PV generator, tailored to the needs of the solar powered weather station, is vital to the effectiveness of the whole system. This thesis will discuss and cover, what measures should be taken to create a working prototype of a PV panel that can power the internal electronics of the weather station and what type of design is necessary to house the system as a whole. This design includes the housing of the electronics and the frame that is used to connect the panel with the housing. This frame could also be mounted to a pole. This also includes how many solar cells are necessary. Or the possible angles for the solar panel, and what influence they have on the lifetime and reliability of the system.