Design and Development of BRRI Solar Powered Light Trap

Abstract

This research intends to design, assemble and evaluate the performance of an eco-friendly solar light trap to reduce the insect population in rice fields as well as to minimize the use of harmful chemical pesticides. An AutoCAD drawing tool 2016 was used to sketch the design of solar light trap. The main component of this light trap was bulb, solar panel and battery. Design of solar panel and battery was done considering by 5W LED bulb. A total of five bulbs with different colors were selected to test the insect’s reaction by visible light. Study indicated that ultra violet-blue bulb showed the best performance compare to others based on the high percentage of insect trap (31.22%). A 20-watt solar panel and two 4.5 ah batteries of 6 volts were used to operate the solar light trap. The current, voltage, solar intensity was recorded to check overall performance of solar panel. The solar panel generated more power in April than May due to higher solar radiation in the study area. Study suggested that only 4.26 sunshine hours were required to full charge the battery. The solar light trap was operated 5.5 hour in night which was sufficient to reduce the insects in rice field. Moreover, the light sensor was showed 100% functional for ON/OFF purposes. The dominant insects like yellow stem borer (YSB), green leafhopper (GLH) were mostly observed. The average largest numbers of YSB and GLH were 900 and 600 respectively. In conclusion, the solar light trap is eco-friendly, low cost, easy and self-sufficient in term of solar energy. Finally, the newly developed light trap could be helpful for manufactures, decision makers, and engineering community as well as farmers as a best tool to protect nature in comparison to other pesticide using practices.