Design and Construction of a Stand-Alone PV System for Charging Mobile Devices in Urban Landscapes in Medellin

Abstract

Stand-Alone PV System (SAPVS) supply an alternative means of electrification in urban landscapes that are not connected to power utility grid and that have a high flow of visitors. People are constantly using their mobile devices and in open spaces, it is difficult to get access to a battery charging station. This paper shows the design and construction of un SAPVS for charging mobile devices in urban landscapes in Medellin, based on calculations of consumption of mobile devices and portable equipment and technical variables such as intensity of solar radiation, capacity of panels and batteries. SAPVS utilize solar photovoltaic power as renewable energy source and has 6 photovoltaic solar panels of flexible technology that allow to supply the energy of the lighting system, the control system and the charging system, with a storage capacity of 240Ah, with 4 USB ports for connecting mobile devices and 2 110V - 1000W power socket for connecting laptops. From different tests of operation, it was verified that the photovoltaic solar system was able to satisfy the energy requirements, obtaining an autonomy of the system in saturation of 7 hours and an energy saving of 1246Wh, equivalent to a consumption of 230.180W, generating Thus saving 89,758.69 gr of CO2 emissions in one year of operation. This option has shown that SAPVS can adequately meet the energy needs of the people and contribute to the enhancement of the landscape and its environment in the city of Medellin.