Solar Roadways Feasibility Study

=Problem Definition=

Demonstrate the feasibility of various solar panel options available for installation on campus.

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 investigate the solar panel options available for installation on campus. The team reviewed unique solar panel features to combine into a more versatile prototype. The final product will generate power at increased efficiencies compared to its counterparts and house an original LED display capable of representing a range of possible demonstrations.

Deliverables
 Understanding and implementing detailed controls which allow for the manipulation of the LED displays for each panel Design of a custom angle adjusting frame to house the Q-Cell 305W Mono Module solar 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 on 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=

Software 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 11/13 Meeting Minutes 11/27 Meeting Minutes 12/4 Meeting Minutes 1/16 Meeting Minutes 1/23 Meeting Minutes 1/30 Meeting Minutes 2/6 Meeting Minutes 2/13 Meeting Minutes 2/20 Meeting Minutes 2/27 Meeting Minutes Presentations

Concept Design Review

Client Interview

Client Interview