Solar Assisted Vehicle Electrical System (S.A.V.E.) 2012-01-1058
S.A.V.E. (SOLAR-ASSISTED VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) is a
microcontroller-based closed loop system designed to optimize the
duty cycle of alternator in conventional vehicle electrical system.
This has been done by integrating a SOLAR PANEL on the rooftop of a
popular hatchback. The SOLAR PANEL supplies continuous power to
battery for charging thereby reducing alternator duty cycle.
Consequently, in order to optimize/control alternator functioning
based on demand, a microcontroller has been incorporated.
S.A.V.E. consists of a microcontroller which senses the
instantaneous electrical load (in terms of current & voltage
drawn) from battery. The controller using the intelligent algorithm
keeps on checking this real-time consumption with the threshold
values & decides when to activate/deactivate alternator. Thus
with this controller, a) reduction in actual CO₂ emission &
consequent, and b) 6% improvement in vehicle fuel efficiency has
been achieved.
