Solar Roadways Feasibility Study

=Problem Definition=

Demonstrate the feasibility of Solar Roadway&trade; panels being implemented as part of the walkways for the soon to be constructed Idaho Central Credit Union Arena.

Background
The University of Idaho is currently preparing to expand on campus next to the Kibbie Dome. The building that will be erected is the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena, which will occupy the current gravel lot adjacent to the enclosed football field on the northern side. While the project will begin groundbreaking following its secured funding for construction, time remains where additions may be suggested to those directing the project. The senior design team would like to simulate conditions in which the use of solar panels as designed by SolarRoadways could be implemented within the construction of the building and be utilized in the final design. The team is currently able to immediately acquire two panels for the use of experiments in which they would demonstrate the added benefits of the panel’s implementation. The students and their investigation would seek to prove that multiple instances of their panels would prove beneficial for the university within a proposed time frame.

Deliverables
 Understanding and implementing detailed controls which allow for the manipulation of the LED displays for each panel Determining the optimization and usage of the heating elements within each panel Validating the efficiency of the PV panels to that of other PV panels located on campus 

Specifications
=Design Considerations=

=Project Learning= Overall Project Learning Goals   Gain a better understanding of solar panel integration an already existing grid   Gain a better understanding of semiconductor physics within a solar panel   Gain a better understanding of how the angle of a install solar panel effects efficiency  Gain a better understanding of implementing time division multiplexing to transmit multiple digital signals over a common channel split into segments with a short time duration </li> </ul>

Photovoltaic Cells

Semiconductor with a pn junction is exposed to light. The photons of the light can energize the electrons in the valence band. If the electron gains enough energy to cross the band gap, then it creates an electron hole pair, with the electron going to the conduction band. There is an electric field being created from the electrons and holes combining, which the free electrons increase the electric field, increasing the voltage and creates a current to produce power. The Antireflection coating is so photons aren’t reflected off the semiconductor’s surface. The front contacts are to allow current to flow, because shocker semiconductors aren’t the best conductors. The glass is there to protect the cell.

Time Division Multiplexing

Time division multiplexing is a communications process that transmits two or more streaming digital signals over a common channel. In Time division multiplexing, incoming signals are divided into equal fixed-length time slots. After multiplexing, these signals are transmitted over a shared medium and reassembled into their original format after de-multiplexing. Time slot selection is directly proportional to overall system efficiency.

Temperature and Efficiency

As temperature increases, the power decreases. An increase in temperature decreases the band gap of the semiconductor, or another way to think of it is the electrons gain more energy. For solar cells, the open circuit voltage is affected most by the temperature increase. There’s a lot of device physics and equations behind the concepts. =Final Design=

=Validation=

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

Project Schedule

Gantt chart

Meeting Minutes

9/11 Meeting Minutes 9/18 Meeting Minutes 9/25 Meeting Minutes 10/2 Meeting Minutes 10/9 Meeting Minutes 10/16 Meeting Minutes 10/23 Meeting Minutes 10/30 Meeting Minutes Presentations

Concept Design Review

Client Interview

Client Interview