Specifications
4
2.2.1 Solar Power input
The final device will utilize solar panels to harness energy from the sun and convert it to
useful electrical power. The solar panels used should be low cost and low maintenance,
while being as efficient as possible. In general, the lower cost panels output a lower
amount of power. For this reason, the cheapest panels cannot be automatically
selected, and instead price must be balanced with the power requirements of the
system as a whole. Since solar panels generally output a DC voltage, storage of the
energy created by them in a battery will be a straight forward process. Since the one of
the overall goals of the system as a whole is to be portable, size and weight of the
panels must be limited. Thus, the panels chosen must maximize power generated for its
size and weight when compared to other available panels. The solar panels will be
mounted to a tripod stand. The tripod stand will be the base of the power generators for
the entire system. The method for mounting the solar panels should be such that they
can be quickly and easily removed when the entire device needs to be relocated. This
also includes a quick and easy way to connect/disconnect any and all cabling that is
related to the panels.
2.2.2 Wind Power Input
The device will also harness energy from the wind via a wind turbine. The wind turbine
will convert the wind energy to electrical power, which will either be immediately used or
stored in a battery for later use. As with the solar panels, the wind turbine should be low
cost and low maintenance, while maintaining a high efficiency. Again, price must be
balances with the power requirements of the whole system. Some wind turbines output
a three phase AC power, while others have circuitry already included in their design to
output a DC voltage. This is because in most applications, the energy generated by the
turbine is not immediately consumed. It is instead, stored in a battery for use at a later
time. When it comes to wind turbines, there aren‟t a lot of options in the price range we
are looking for, but it is still important to keep size and weight in mind when making the
final selection for one to be used in this system. The turbine will be mounted to the top
of a tripod stand, which will also hold the solar panels. The method used to mount the
turbine to the tripod should be such that the turbine can be easily installed and removed
in the event the entire device needs to be relocated, and as with the solar panels, this
should also include an easy way to connect/disconnect all related cabling.
2.2.3 AC Power Output
The generator by specifications is designed to supply and AC power output in order to
power a laptop and a projector. The AC output is to be obtained from the DC battery
power supply with the use of a inverter in conjunction with a standard power strip to
provide outlets for the projector and laptop to tap into the power system.
2.2.4 DC Power Output
After the power is collected in the battery from the various generation sources the power
will be delivered to the loads in the form of a DC output. In order for that power to be
used by the loads it will later have to be transformed to an AC output by way of an
inverter.