SHRI LAXMANRAO MANKAR COLLEGE OF

POLYTCHNIC, RISAMA (AMGAON)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING
A
PROJECT REPORT
ON
“SOLAR GRASS CUTTER”

GUIDED BY

MR. R.R. RAUT

SUBMITTED BY

MR. VAIBHAV G. WADHAI MR. AVINASH M. FULLARE

MR. NIHAL L. BISEN MR. PRAKASH B. SHENDE

MISS. BHARTI S. BAGHELE MR. SHAILESH B. BAGHELE

MR. DIPAK P. GAUTAM MISS. KHOOSBU KURVE

SESSION 2020-2021

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 C ERTIFICATE

I hereby certify that the work which is being presented in the diploma in
engineering Major Project Report entitled “SOLAR GRASS CUTTER”, in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Diploma In Mechanical
Engineering and submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Shri
Laxmanrao Mankar College of polytechnic, Amgaon is an authentic record of my
own work carried out during 2020-2021 under the supervision of Mr. R.R. Raut

The matter presented in this Project Report has not been submitted by me for
the award of any other degree elsewhere.

Submitted By

MR. VAIBHAV G. WADHAI MR. AVINASH M. FULLARE

MR. NIHAL L. BISEN MR. PRAKASH B. SHENDE

MISS. BHARTI S. BAGHELE MR. SHAILESH B. BAGHELE

MR. DIPAK P. GAUTAM MISS. KHOOSBU KURVE

This is to certify that the above statement made by the student is correct to the best
of my knowledge.

Date: / /20

Project Guide H.O.D.

Mr. R.R. Raut Mr. D.C. Rane

PrincipaL
PORF.S.C.HANUWATE

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 A CKNOWLEDGEMENT

We express our sincere gratitude to Mr.D.C.Rane, Head of Department of

mechanical Engineering of Shri Laxmanrao Mankar College of Polytechnic, Amgaon
(M.S). India, for his stimulating guidance, continuous encouragement and supervision
throughout the course of present work.
We also wish to extend our thanks to other colleagues for attending our seminars
and for their insightful comments and constructive suggestions to improve the quality
of this project work.
We are extremely thankful to Prof. S. C. Hanuwate, Principal, Shri Laxmanrao
Mankar College of Polytechnic and Amgaon for providing me infrastructural facilities to
work in, without which this work would not have been possible.

PROJECTEES …….

MR. VAIBHAV G. WADHAI MR. AVINASH M. FULLARE

MR. NIHAL L. BISEN MR. PRAKASH B. SHENDE

MISS. BHARTI S. BAGHELE MR. SHAILESH B. BAGHELE

MR.DIPAK P. GAUTAM MISS. KHOOSBU KURVE

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 D ECLARATION

We undersigned hereby declared that the project entitled “SOLAR GRASS

CUTTER” submitted by us originally genuine work.

The system presented here is developed by us independently and has not been
duplicated from any sources.

We understand that any such copying is liable to be punished in any way the board
authorities deep fit.

Thanking You

STUDENT NAME SIGNATURE

MR. VAIBHAV G. WADHAI ………………………

MR. AVINASH M. FULLARE ………………………

MR. NIHAL L. BISEN ………………………

MR. PRAKASH B. SHENDE ………………………

MISS. BHARTI S. BAGHELE ………………………

MR. SHAILESH B. BAGHELE ………………………

MR.DIPAK P. GAUTAM ………………………

MISS. KHOOSBU KURVE ………………………

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

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 E XAMINARS CERTIFICATE

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE STUDENT OF FINAL YEAR

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING OF SHRI LAXMANRAO MANKAR
COLLEGE OF POLYTECHNIC, AMGAON HAVE SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETED THE PROJECT TITLED AS....

“SOLAR GRASS CUTTER”

Submitted By

MR. VAIBHAV G. WADHAI MR. AVINASH M. FULLARE

MR. NIHAL L. BISEN MR. PRAKASH B. SHENDE

MISS. BHARTI S. BAGHELE MR. SHAILESH B. BAGHELE

MR.DIPAK P. GAUTAM MISS. KHOOSBU KURVE

AS PRESCRIBED BY MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL
EDUCATION MUMBAI (MSBTE) AS PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD
OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DURING IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021.

DATE: - GUIDED BY
PLACE:-AMGAON MR.R.R.RAUT

INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

DATE: - DATE:

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

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 F ORWARDING LETTER

Forwarded herewith is the project entitled "SOLAR GRASS

CUTTER” submitted by MR. VAIBHAV G. WADHAI, MR. AVINASH M.
FULLARE, MR. NIHAL L. BISEN, MR. PRAKASH B. SHENDE, MISS. BHARTI S.
BAGHELE, MR. SHAILESH B. BAGHELE, MR.DIPAK P. GAUTAM, MISS.
KHOOSBU KURVE, was bonafied student in this institution .The project
work is in the partial fulfilment of the requirement towards the award of
the Diploma in MECHANICAL Engineering (ME) to the Maharashtra
State Board of Technical Education, Mumbai. It has been carried out
under the guidance and supervision of Mr,R.R.Raut Department of
Mechanical Engineering, Shri Laxmanrao Mankar College of
Polytechnic, Amgaon.

Project Guide H.O.D.

Mr. R.R. Raut Mr. D.C. Rane

PrincipaL
PORF.S.C.HANUWATE

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

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ABSTRACT
Nowadays pollution is a major issue for whole world. Pollution is
manmade and can be seen in own homes. In case Gas powered lawn mowers
due to the emission of gases it is responsible for pollution. Also the cost of fuel
is increasing hence it is not efficient. Grass cutter or lawn mowing with a
standard motor powered lawn mower is an inconvenience, and no one takes
pleasure in it. Cutting grass cannot be easily accomplished by elderly, younger,
or disabled people. Hence we design to make a grass cutter without any
power source due to reduce the power consumption. Design a solar powered
domestic lawnmower that utilizes solar power as an energy source is meant to
address a number of issues that standard internal combustion engine mowers
do not

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INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION

2. LITERATURE SURVEY

3. HISTORY

4. THEORITICAL ANALYSIS

5. CONSTRUCTION

6. WORKING

7. COST ESTIMATION

8. RESULT AND CONCLUSION

9. REFERENCE

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 CHAPTER NO. 1
INTRODUCTION

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INTRODUCTION
SOLAR GRASS CUTTER

Nowadays pollution is a major issue for whole world. Pollution is due to

the emission of gases it is responsible for pollution. Also the cost of fuel is
increasing hence it is not efficient. So the Solar powered lawn cutters
introduced. Solar powered lawn mower can be described as the application of
solar energy to power an electric motor which in turn rotates a blade which
does the mowing of a lawn. Solar energy is the renewable manmade and can
be seen in own homes. In case Gas powered lawn mowers energy. Grass cutter
or lawn mowing with a standard motor powered lawn mower is an
inconvenience, and no one takes pleasure in it. Cutting grass cannot be easily
accomplished by elderly, younger, or disabled people. Motor powered push
lawn mowers and riding lawn mowers create noise pollution due to the loud
engine, and local air pollution due to the combustion in the engine. Also, a
motor powered engine requires periodic maintenance such as changing the
engine oil. Even though electric lawn mowers are environmentally friendly,
they too can be an inconvenience. Along with motor powered lawn mowers,
electric lawn mowers are also hazardous and cannot be easily used by all.
Also, if the electric lawn mower is corded, mowing could prove to be
problematic and dangerous. The self- propelling electric remote control lawn
mower is a lawn mower that has remote control capability. This prototype is
robotic user friendly, cost efficient, safe to use, efficient to use, and
environmentally friendly. It can save significantly on labour costs. In large size
of lawn in the park, schools, college, are maintained manually. The gardener

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used hand scissors used to cut and maintain lawn uniformly. Moving the grass
cutters with a standard motor powered grass cutters is an inconvenience, and
no one takes pleasure in it. Cutting grass cannot be easily accomplished by
elderly, younger, grass cutter moving with engine create noise pollution due
to the loud engine, and local air pollution due to the combustion in the engine.
It is not easy and also very difficult to maintain uniform size. Also a motor
powered engine requires periodic maintenance such as changing the engine
oil. Even though electric solar grass is environmentally friendly, they to be an
inconvenience. Along with motor powered grass cutter, electric

Grass cutters are also hazardous and cannot be easily used by all. This
project is an autonomous solar grass cutter that will allow the user to their
grass with minimal effort hence we design to make a grass cutter without any
power source due to reduce the power consumption. Design a solar powered
domestic lawnmower that utilizes solar power as an energy source is meant to
address a number of issues that standard internal combustion engine mowers
do not. An electric lawnmower with a solar charger will be easier to use. It will
eliminate those unnecessary trips to the gas station for fill-ups. The unskilled
gardener is enough to operate the grass cutter. Most importantly it eliminates
the emissions of an internal combustion mower which are mostly responsible
for environmental pollution and causes the greenhouse gases effect believed
to be responsible for the worsening global warming of our planet. This is so
because solar energy is green/renewable energy. Different designs have been
made, each to suit a particular need or convenience. Making the process of
cutting grass easier over the years.

Many individuals have added modification to the original design speed,

efficiency and power of a mowing machine. The solar powered lawnmower is
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an improvement on cordless electric lawn mower. The sun provides
sustainable amount of the energy used for various purposes on earth for
atmospheric system. The solar powered lawnmower is based on the same
principle that other early inventions of lawn mowers works on. The difference
is just the application of the energy source. It uses the photovoltaic panel to
generate the energy needed to power the mower. It is assumed that a
lawnmower using solar as the energy source will address a number of issues
that the standard internal combustion engine and electric motors lawn
mowers do not. The project work was very great successful one. It is used to
maintain lawn of our college auditorium lawn maintenance.

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 CHAPTER NO. 2
LITERATURE
SURVEY

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LITERATURE SURVEY
OBJECTIVE

For the manufacturing of a solar grass cutter we referred various

literature, papers etc. The review of previous method used given below: In
this lawn mower uses an solar based energy source, which is easier to use,
more advantageous comparing to other energy source especially for gas based
source of power .But our lawn cutter is based on solar because this energy is a
renewable energy source and it is easy to work. So we made solar powered
lawnmower.

In today's climate of growing energy needs and increasing

environmental concern, alternatives to the use of non-renewable and
polluting fossil fuels have to be investigated. One such alternative is solar
energy. In this solar based lawn mower, the advantage of powering a lawn
mower by solar rather than by gasoline is mainly ecological. We manufactured
this lawn cutter because it is very easy method and many overcome produced
from this type lawn cutter.

The self-powered objective is to come up with a mower that is portable,

durable, easy to operate and maintain. It also aims to design a self- powered
mower of electrical source; a cordless electric lawn mower. The heart of the
machine is a battery powered de electric motor. It is also useful method for
our lawn mower. It is similar to our lawn cutter using display and keypad.

The present technology commonly used for trimming the grass is by

using the manually handle device. In this project we have automated the
machine for trimming the grass.

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HISTORY
The first lawn mower was invented by Edwin Budding in 1830 just
outside Stroud, in Gloucestershire, England. Bedding's mower was designed
primarily to cut the grass on sports grounds and extensive gardens, as a
superior alternative to the scythe, and was granted a British patent on August
31, 1830.

Cast
iron gear
wheels

CHAPTER NO. 3
HISTORY

transmitted power from the rear roller to the cutting cylinder, allowing the
rear roller to drive the knives on the cutting cylinder, the ratio was 16:1.
Another roller placed between the cutting cylinder and the main or land roller
could be raised or lowered to alter the height of cut. The grass clippings were
hurled forward into a tray-like box. It was soon realized, however, that an
extra handle was needed in front to help null the machine along. Overall, these
machines were remarkably similar to modern movers.

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 From the late nineteenth century through the middle of the twentieth
century, DC-to-AC power conversion was accomplished using rotary
converters or motor-generator sets (M-G sets). In the early twentieth century,
vacuum tubes and gas filled tubes began to be used as switches in inverter
circuits. The most widely used type of tube was the thyratron. The origins of
electromechanical inverters explain the source of the term inverter. Early AC-
to-DC converters used an induction or synchronous AC motor direct-
connected to a generator (dynamo) so that the generator's commentator
reversed its connections at exactly the right moments to produce DC. A later
development is the synchronous converter, in which the motor and generator
windings are combined into one armature, with slip rings at one end and a
commentator at the other and only one field frame. The result with either is
AC-in, DC-out. With an M-G set, the DC can be considered to be separately
generated from the AC; with a synchronous converter, in a certain sense it can
be considered to be "mechanically rectified AC". Given the right auxiliary and
control equipment, an M-G set or rotary converter can be "run backwards",
converting DC to AC. Hence an inverter is an inverted converter.

FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS

Could be drawn by animals, and sixty years before a steam-powered

lawn mower was built. It took ten more years and further innovations to
create a machine that

 In the 1850s, Thomas Green & Son of Leeds introduced a mower called
the Silens Messor (meaning silent cutter), which used a chain to
transmit power from the rear roller to the cutting cylinder. These

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 machines were lighter and quieter than the gear driven machines that
preceded them, although they were slightly more expensive. The rise
“popularity of lawn sports helped prompt the spread of the invention.
Lawn mowers became a more efficient alternative to the scythe and
domesticated grazing animals. Fig: 2.3 Commercial lawn mower
 Manufacture of lawn mowers took off in the 1860s. By 1862, Ferrabee's
company was making eight models in various roller sizes. He
manufactured over 5000 machines until production ceased in 1863. The
first grass boxes were flat trays but took their present shape in the
1860s. James Sumner of Lancashire patented the first steam- powered
lawn mower in 1893.
 The first United States patent for a reel lawn mower was granted to
Amariah Hills on January 12, 1868. In 1870, Elwood McGuire of
Richmond, Indiana designed a human-pushed lawn : very lightweight
and a commercial success.
 John Burr patented an improved rotary-blade lawn mower in 1899, with
the wheel placement altered for better performance. Amariah Hills went
on to found the Archimedean Lawn Mower Co, in 1871,
 In the United States, gasoline powered lawn mowers were first
manufactured in 1914 by Ideal Power Mower Co. of Lansing, Michigan,
based on a patent by Ransom E. Olds. Ideal Power Mower also
introduced the world's first self-propelled, riding lawn tractor in 1922,
known as the "Triplex.
 The roller-drive lawn mower has changed very little since around 1930.
Gang mowers, those with multiple sets of blades, were built in the
United States in 1919 by the Worthington Mower Company.

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ROTARY MOWERS

Rotary mowers were not developed

until engines were small enough and
powerful enough to run the blades at
sufficient speed. Many people
experimented with rotary blade mowers in
the late 1920s and early 1930s, and Power
Specialties Ltd. introduced a gasoline-
powered rotary mower.

KutKwick replaced the saw blade of the "Pulp Saw" with a double-edged
blade and a cutter deck, converting the "Pulp Saw" into the first ever out- front
rotary mower. One company that produced rotary mowers commercially was
the Australian Victa company, starting in 1952. Its mowers were lighter and
easier to use than similar ones that had come before. The first Victa mowers
were made at Mortlake, an inner suburb of Sydney, by local resident Mervyn
Victor Richardson. He made his first model out of scrap in his garage and then
moved to a shed behind St Mary's Church of England, where the first Victa
mowers were manufactured, going on sale on 20 September 1952. The new
company, Victa Mowers Pty Ltd, was incorporated on 13 February 1953.

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 CHAPTER NO. 4
THEORITICAL
ANALYSIS

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THEORITICAL ANALYSIS
SOLAR GRASS CUTTER

The lawn mower or grass cutter is made up of an induction motor, a

battery, an alternator, three collapsible blades, and a link mechanism. The
power and charging system comprises of an alternator which charges the
battery while in operation. The D.C. motor forms the heart of the machine and
provides the driving force for the collapsible blades. This is achieved by the
combined effect of mechanical action of the cutting blades and the forward
thrust of the mower. The system is powered by an electrical switch which
completes the circuit comprising the induction motor and the battery. The IR
senor is finding the path to avoid the obstacles and machine damage. The shaft
fitting mechanism with which the height of cut is altered.

Solar power as an energy source will address a number of issues that

standard internal combustion engine mowers do not. An electric grass cutter
with a solar charger will be easier to use. There is no messy dangerous
gasoline to deal with Most importantly it eliminates the emissions of an
internal combustion mower. A lawn mower is a device which by means of one
or more revolving blades issued to cutgrass or other plants to an even length.
Lawnmowers employing a blade that rotates about a vertical axis are known
as rotary mowers, while those employing a blade assembly that rotates about
a horizontal axis are known as cylinder or reel mowers.

Solar grass cutter are based on the use of small but powerful engine that
provides enough torque to spin a very sharp horizontal blade that cuts the
grass upon contact. The blade is located in the deck that prevents grass from

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flying all over the place when struck. In most cases, the motor is situated at
the top of the deck, which is usually mounted on four wheels. There is also a
bag connected to the deck that is used to collect cut grasses the opinion that
lawnmowers must be designed to reduce pollutions generated than at
present.

Fig 3.1 Solar grass cutter it uses the photovoltaic panel to generate the
energy needed to power the mower. It is assumed that a lawnmower using
solar as the energy source will address a number of issues that the standard
internal combustion engine and electric motors lawn mowers do not. A
lawnmower with solar energy will be easier to use, it eliminates down time by
frequent trips to the gas station for fill-ups and danger associated with
gasoline spillage. The dangerous emissions generated by the gasoline spillage
and that of the internal combustion engine into the atmosphere are
eliminated. The solar powered lawnmower will help to reduce air pollution as
well as noise pollution produced by other types of lawnmowers. In addition, it
will help to reduce the running cost of using and maintaining a lawnmower.

The main components of the solar powered grass cutter

 Solar panels
 Brush less DC motor
 Solar charger
 Mechanism used Circuit breaker
 Blades
 Batteries

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BUMPER

The physical bumper is made up of an inner square created by PVC Pipe.

The outside has PVC pipe with attached sheet metal that is attached to Inner
Square with PVC pipe loaded by a spring. There is a bolt through r spring
connecting the outside and inside layer of the PVC pipe. The spring allows the
bumper to compress when the mower has contact with a pushbuttons. Object.
The bumper also has bolts through it that are there to activate pushbutton.

MOTORS

The Lawn Bot has a total of two motors. The blade mower came
attached to the mower's body frame. Both of its terminals are attached to a
Specified slot on the main terminal block. The other two mowers are used to
move the wheels of the mower. They are both attached to the mower's body
frame with two U-bolts. The terminals for these two motors are attached to
the motor driver's terminals.

CUTTING PATTERNS

The user will place the robot in the centre of their lawn and let it cut. To
achieve this cutting pattern both wheels must turn at two very different The
lawn mower will have two types of cutting styles: spiral and speeds with the
outmost wheel moving the fastest.Fig: 3.4 Cutting patterns

PLASTIC WHEELS

The plastic wheels will be connected to the DC motors. As soon as they

create the torque, these wheels will help the move. Fig: 3.6 Plastic wheels

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HANDLE

 Handle (grip), a grip attached to an object for using or moving the object
 Handle (mathematics), a topological ball
 Handle (computing), an abstract reference to a resource *
 In gambling, the total amount bet, usually at a given place or for a given
event
 Handle System, a system for uniquely numbering digital objects
 Handles (novel), a children's book by Jan Mark
 Adjustment handles, little boxes for resizing a GUI control
 Opaque pointer, in computer programming, a datatype that hides its
internal implementation using a pointer
 Reference (computer science), an object referring to data stored
elsewhere in computer memory
 Pseudonym used in a communication system
 User (computing), a pseudonym used within an online system
 Handle-o-Meter, a machine that measures surface friction and flexibility
of sheeted materials

THE FRAME OF SOLAR GRASS CUTTER

A mild steel plate was used in the construction of the frame due to its strength,
workability, availability and cost effectiveness. The frame provides support
for the electric motor, battery as well as the handle frame. The diameter of the
deck is 25cm and height 40cm deck is also made of four hand lever adjusters
which are used to raise and lower the deck to the desired height of cut. Each is

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made of flat metal with five spin hooks to aid the operation. They transmit the
load of 15kg to the wheel equally and length of each is 30 diameter.

CHAPTER NO. 5
CONSTRUCTION

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CONSTRUCTION
SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun harnessed using a
range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, solar photo voltaic,
solar thermal energy, solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis.

It is an important source of renewable energy and its technologies are

broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the
way they capture and distribute solar energy or convert it into solar power.
Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic systems, concentrated
solar power and solar water heating to harness the energy. Passive solar
techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with
favourable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces
that naturally circulate air.

Solar energy is very large, inexhaustible source of energy. The power

from the sun interrupted by earth is approximately 1.8/10MW, which are
many thousands of times larger than the present consumption rate on the
earth of all energy sources. The quantum of energy India's land area receive
from sun is equivalent to 15,000 time sits consumption requirement (500
billion kWh) as projected for 2004. In addition to its Size, solar energy has two
other factors in its favour. Firstly, unlike fossil fuels and nuclear power, it is an
environmentally clean source of energy. Secondly, it is free and available in
adequate quantities in almost all parts of the world people live. But there are
some problems associated with its. The real challenge in utilizing solar energy
is of and economic concern. One has to strive for the development of cheaper

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methods of collection and storage so that large initial investments required at
pre-set in most applications are reduced, solar energy in India.

Every minute the sun radiates about 5.68x10 and the earth intercepts
only 2.55x1026 calories (NRF, 2010). This represents only 2000 millionth of
the total solar energy sent into the Space. The total solar energy is estimated
to be 30,000 times greater than the total annual energy of the world. A large
amount of solar radiation fall of India and for most of the country very few
days are without sunshine.

India lies within the latitude of 7 N to and 37 N with annual calories of

energy average intensity of solar radiation as500 to 600 Cal/cm/day with
more such insulations available in arid and semi-arid regions.

Average solar radiation falling on India in arid and semiarid cegions is

7.5 Kw h/m/day. Solar energy 5x 10 K w h/year potential to meet basic
energy needs of teeming millions who live in rural India. Solar energy is an
important, clean, cheap and abundantly available renewable energy. The sun
radiates heat and light. The heat, light received from the sun supports the
environment on the earth through the following well known natural effects.

 Temperature balance on the earth

 Photo-synthesis by biological plants production of oxygen and organic
materials, production of organic chemicals and bio-mass.
 Wind due to unequal heating of water, land surfaces.
 Heating of ocean water: ocean thermal energy (OTEC).
 Waves in ocean: ocean wave energy

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 The sun produces enormous amount of energy of heat and light through
sustained nuclear fusion reactions. The solar energy received on the earth in
the form of radiation is used for heating and producing an electrical energy.
Among the non-conventional sources of energy solar energy is the most
promising. Hence our project is based on energy conversion to mechanical
energy to run a normal grass the solar cutter. Fig. 4.Isolar energy.

SOLAR PANEL

A solar panel is a set of

solar photovoltaic modules
electrically connected and
mounted on a supporting
structure. A photovoltaic
module is a packaged,
connected assembly of solar
cells. The solar panel can be
used as a component of a
larger photovoltaic system to
generate and supply
electricity in commercial and
residential applications. Each
module is rated by its DC output power under standard test conditions (STC),
and typically ranges from 100 to 320 watts. The efficiency of a module
determines the area of a module given the same rated output - an 8% efficient
230 watt module will have twice the area of a 16% efficient 230 watt module.

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 A single solar module can produce only a limited amount of power,
installations most contain multiple system typically includes a panel or an
array of solar modules, modules. A photovoltaic an inverter, pune sometimes
a battery and/or solar tracker and interconnection wiring. Fig: 4.2 Solar panel
Polycrystalline PV cells connected in a solar module. Solar modules use light
energy (photons) from the sun to generate electricity through the
photovoltaic effect. The majority of modules use wafer-based crystalline
silicon cells or thin-film cells based on cadmium telluride or silicon. The
structural (load carrying) member of a module can either be the top layer or
the back layer. Cells must also be protected from mechanical damage and
moisture. Most solar modules are rigid, but semi-flexible ones are available,
based on thin-film cells

PHOTOVOLTAIC PRINCIPLES

The photo- voltaic effect can be observed in nature in a variety of

materials that have shown that the best performance in sunlight is the
semiconductors as stated above. When photons from the sun are absorbed in
a semiconductor, that create free electrons with higher energies than the
created there must be an electric field to induce these higher energy electrons
to flow out of the semi-conductor to do useful work. A junction of materials,
which have different electrical properties, provides the electric field in most
solar cells for the photon interaction in a semiconductor. Solar photovoltaic
cells are essentially semi-conductors, which have electrical transmission
properties like metal or salt water and insulators like rubber, Panels are
constructed with sheets of doped silicon, primary element in beach sand with
impurities added like phosphorus that allows electrons to flow. When the

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protons from the solar energy hit a photovoltaic cell, a flow of electrons starts
which can be drawn off by a pair of wires, thereby creating direct current. A
number of solar cells electrically connected to each other and mounted in a
support structure or frame is called a photovoltaic module. Modules are
designed to supply electricity at a certain voltage. The current produced is
directly dependent on how much light strikes the module.

PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT

A solar cell consists of

 Semi-conductor in which electron hole pairs are created by the

absorption of incident solar radiation.
 Region containing a drift field for charge separation.

The photo-voltaic effect can be described easily for p-n junction in a semi-
conductor. In an intrinsic semi-conductor such as silicon, each one of the four
valence electrons of the material atom is tied in a chemical bond, and there are
no free electrons at absolute zero. If a piece of such a material is doped on one
side by a five valance electron material, such as arsenic or phosphorus, there
will be an excess of electrons in that side, becoming an n-type semi-conductor.

The excess electrons will be practically free to move in the semi- conductor
lattice. When a three valance electron material, such as boron dopes the other
side of the same piece, there will be deficiency of electrons leading to a p-type
semi-conductor. This deficiency is expressed in terms of excess of holes free to
move in the lattice. Such a piece of semi-conductor with one side of the p-type
and the other, of the n-type is called p-n junction. In this junction after the
protons are absorbed, the free electrons of the n-side will tends to flow to the

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p-side, and the holes of the p-side will tend to flow to the n-region to
compensate for their respective deficiencies. This diffusion will create an
electric field from the n-region to the p-region. This field will increase until it
reaches equilibrium for voltage, the sum of the diffusion potentials for holes
and electrons. If electrical contacts the connected through an external
electrical conductor, the free electrons will flow from the n-type material
through the conductor to the p-type material.

Here the free electrons will enter the holes and become bound electrons
thus both free electrons and holes will be removed. The flow of electrons
through the external conductor constitutes an electric current, which will
continue as long as move free electrons and holes are being formed by the
solar radiation. This is the basis of photo-voltaic conversion that is the
conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. The combination of n-type
and p-type semiconductors thus constitutes a photo-voltaic cell or solar cell.
All such cells some rate direct current that can be converted into alternating
current it desired. The photo-voltaic effect can be observed in almost any
junction of material that have different electrical characteristics, but the best
performance to date has been from cells using semiconductor material
especially all of the solar cells used for both space and terrestrial applications
have been made of the semiconductor silicon.

CALCULATION OF SOLAR RADIATION

Calculating the estimation of average solar radiation monthly is given by

Agbo (2010) as

H = H (a'+ b' (n/N) (viii) Where, H is the average solar radiation

available for conversion. H is the monthly average horizontal solar radiation

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for a clear day. a and b' are arbitrary constants 0.35 and 0.61 respectively. n is
the average hours of bright sunlight for same period. N is the maximum daily
hours of bright sunlight for same period

The solar panel that was used in the construction of the solar powered
lawnmower is rated 50watts, 12 volts, consisting of 24 cells. Hence, according
to Khurmi and Gupta (2000)

Power = IV (ix) Where, I is the current V is the voltage

I=P/V

I= 50/12

I=4,17A

The solar panel is connected to the battery via a solar charging

controller and from the battery to the motor. Also, an electric switch is
connected to the circuit to control the flow of current.

THE RACK FOR SOLAR PANEL

This is the main solar panel safety device. It provides tight and safe
holding reducing the risk of a new panel. The design was done within our
specific panel dimensions, modifications can be done to accommodate other
panel sizes. Some factors that were taken into account included;

 The base stands of the holder( firm to enable steady positioning)

 The height from the ground, ( high to reduce obstacle interference )
 The weight and strength of the materials used(for durability and
mobility) •
 The corrosion resistance of the materials. Environments). Corrosive

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  Angular adjustment (for angular adjustments for maximum isolation )

We need an angle line steel bar 40mm in width from which we cut 4
pieces, two of 750mm length and the other two of 540mm length. The 4 pieces
are welded together to form a rectangular frame of dimensions 750mm by
540mm. The remaining angle plate is used to fabricate the stand onto which
the frame is mounted to. Fig: 4.6 the rack for solar panel

APPLICATIONS OF SOLAR TECHNOLOGY

Solar energy refers primarily to the use of solar radiation for practical
ends. However, all renewable energies, other than geothermal and tidal,
derive their energy from the sun. Solar technologies are broadly characterized
as either passive or active depending on the way they capture, convert and
distribute sunlight. Active solar techniques use photovoltaic panels, pumps,
and fans to convert sunlight into useful outputs. Passive solar techniques
include selecting materials with favourable thermal properties, designing
spaces that naturally circulate air, and referencing the position of a building to
the Sun. Active solar technologies increase the supply of energy.

THE ENVIRONMENT USE

Solar energy is a renewable resource a renewable resource is a resource

that is able to be replaced or replenished, either by the earth’s natural
processes or by human action. Solar energy is available at varying proportions
almost everywhere on earth. It cannot be depleted unlike the fossil fuel based
energy resources. Solar energy is a "clean" energy resource. It does not
involve the emission of Green House Gases (GHGS) that are believed to be
responsible for the worsening global warming of our planet, Earth.

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DC MOTORS

A DC motor is a
mechanically commutated
electric motor powered from
direct current (DC). The stator is
stationary in space by definition
and therefore so is its current.
The current in the rotor is
switched by the commentator to
also be stationary in space. This
is how the relative between the
stator and rotor magnetic flux is maintained near 90 degrees, which generates
the maximum torque. DC motors have a rotating armature winding (winding
in which a voltage is induced) but non-rotating armature magnetic field and a
static field winding (winding that produce the main magnetic flux) or
permanent magnet. Different connections of the field and armature winding
characteristics. The speed of a DC motor can be controlled by changing the
voltage applied to the armature or by changing the field current. The
introduction of variable resistance in the armature circuit or angle provide
different inherent speed/torque regulation field circuit allowed speed control.
Modern DC motors are often controlled by power electronics systems called
DC drives.

MOUNTING THE MOTOR

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 When mounting the motor to the mower deck the most important thing
was to make sure it was cantered and properly secured. The motor made sure
it was cantered by measuring an equal distance from the sides of the motor to
the outside diameter of the mower. Secured the motor to the deck with four
3/8" bolts with washers. Adding washers between the motor and the deck
allowed me to raise different sides of the motor to level. It needed to place two
washers on the front two bolts to bring the motor up to level.

BLADES

A blade is that portion of a tool,

weapon, or machine with an edge that
is designed to cut and/or puncture,
stab, slash, chop, slice, thrust, or scrape
surfaces or materials. The blade is
seldom sharp enough to give a neat
cutting. The blade simply tears the
grass resulting in brown tips. However,
the horizontal blades are Easy to
remove and sharpen or replace.
Existing engine trimmers suffer from high initial cost, high levels of engine
noise, high fuel consumption rates and high operator’s fatigue in long-run.
Mower blades are the cutting components of lawn mowers. They are usually
made of sturdy metals as they must be able to withstand high- speed contact
with a variety of objects in addition to grass. The materials used (as well as
size, thickness, and design of the blades) vary by manufacturer. A blade may

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be made from a flaking stone, such as flint, metal (usually steel), ceramic, or
other material. Here we used two blades i.e. fixed blade and sliding blade.

FIXED BLADE

The blade which has no motion is called fixed blade. This fixed blade is
welded to the frame. And this is placed below the sliding blade.

SLIDING BLADE

This blade slide over the moving blade this blade is connecting to wheel
and this is connected to DC motor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It is also dependent on the height, density and the area covered by the
object. Therefore, in designing the blade of the solar powered lawn mower,
the force required for effective mowing should be greater than 10 Newton. A
stainless steel was used in the construction of the cutting blade because of its
strength and weight which can transmit same speed as that of the DC motor or
a little less cause of friction.

Mass of Blade

The area of the blade= length x width (i)

Mass of the blade= density x volume (ii)

The density of a stainless steel (Singh, 2005) is 7922kg/m = 7922 x

1800 x 10-0.9 = 0.014kg.

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WEIGHT AND TORQUE ON THE CUTTING BLADE

The weight of the blade, W= Mg (i1)

Where, M = mass of the blade = 0.014kg

g= acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s

Therefore, W =Mg = 0.014 x 9.81 = 0.14N

Hence, the torque (T) produce by the blade is given by T= Wr (iv)

Where, W is the weight r is the radius of the blade r= 450/2 = 255mm

Therefore, T =Wr = 0.14 x 225 = 31.5Nm

ANGULAR VELOCITY AND FORCE PRODUCE

Universally known that angular velocity (o) is given as 0= 2xN/60 (v) Where,
o is the angular velocity N is the rotational speed of the motor = 1450 rev per
minute *=3.142 W =2 x 3.142 × 1450/60 o = 151.86 rad/s.

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 CHAPTER NO. 6
WORKING

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WORKING PRINCIPLE OF SOLAR POWERED GRASS CUTTER

The working principle of solar grass cutter is it has panels mounted in a

particular arrangement at an in such a way that it can receive solar radiation
with high intensity easily from the sun. These solar panels convert solar
energy into electrical energy. This electrical energy is stored in batteries by
using a solar charger. The main function of the solar charger is to increase the
current from the panels while batteries are charging, it also disconnects the
solar panels from the batteries when they are fully charged and also connects
to the panels when the charging in batteries is low. The motor is connected to
the batteries through connecting wires between these two mechanical circuit
breaker switch is provided. It starts and stops the working of the motor. From
this motor, the power transmits to the mechanism and this makes the blade to
slide on the fixed blade and this makes to
cut the grass.

The designed solar powered

lawnmower comprises of direct current
(D.C) motor, a rechargeable battery,
solar panel, a stainless steel blade and
control switch. Mowing is achieved by
the D.C motor which provides the
required torque needed to drive the
stainless steel blade which is directly
coupled to the shaft of the D.C motor. Fig:
5.1 Solar Powered Grass Cutter

39 | P a g e
OPERATION PRINCIPLE OF DC MOTOR

Electrical energy of the battery is converted to mechanical energy

through a set of blades designed to achieve cutting operation. The electric
circuit ensures power transfer from the battery to run the D.C. motor, whilst
the solar panel power to continuously recharge the battery while in operation.
The cutting blades tap power from the D.C. motor.

When the power switch is on, the electrical energy from the battery
powers the motor which in turn actuates the blades. The solar panel generates
current to recharge the battery, thereby compensating for the battery
discharge. The rotating blades continuously cut the grass as the mower is
propelled forward and the cut grass. Height of cut is adjusted by means of the
link mechanism via the lift rod. Fig: 5.5 DC Motor Blade

SOLAR CHARGER

The power charge regulator is also known as charge controller, voltage

regulator, charge-discharge controller or charge-discharge and load
controller. The regulator sits between the array of panels, the batteries, and
the equipment or loads.

The charging station is like the refill station for our battery which is
used as a source of energy to drive the motor. This is done initially before
using the battery for the first time and subsequently thereafter each mowing
session depleting its charge. Importantly, since the solar panel and charge
controller are of specified ratings, most of our design went to the solar panel
rack holder.

40 | P a g e
 Solar chargers should never be connected in parallel. In order to
protect the battery from gasification, the switch opens the charging circuit
when the voltage in the battery reaches its high voltage disconnects (HVD) or
cut-off set point. The low voltage disconnects (LVD) prevents the battery from
over discharging by disconnecting the load. The most modern regulators are
also able to automatically disconnect the panels during the night to avoid
discharging of the battery.

They can also periodically overcharge the battery to improve their life,
and they may use a mechanism known as pulse width modulation (PWM).
Solar charger has three light indicators. The first light blinks when the
batteries are charging by using solar energy.

The second light glows when the charging in the batteries is very low.
The third light glows when the batteries are fully charged and an extra load
(charging) is applied on the batteries. By monitoring the voltage of battery,
the regulator prevents overcharging or over discharging. Regulators used in
solar applications should be connected in series: they disconnect the array of
panels from the battery to avoid overcharging, and they disconnect the
battery from the load to avoid over discharging. The connection and
disconnection is done by means of switches which can be of two types:
Electromechanical (relays) or solid state (bipolar transistor).

THE CHARGE CONTROLLER

The charge controller or control panel as it is commonly known has two

primary functions. First, it provides a central point for connecting the load, the
module and the battery. Secondly, it manages the system so that the harvested
electricity is effectively used, and so that components are protected from

41 | P a g e
damage due to changing voltage levels. The charge controller at the very least
should act as a junction box. Here, the battery, load and solar module are
fastened together by means of connector strips. Fuses are incorporated to
protect the equipment from damage by short circuits. Charge controllers
contain a blocking diode. This blocking diode prevents current from flowing
from the batteries to the solar cell module when the battery voltage is higher
than the module voltage. This prevents energy losses in the system.

BATTERY

Solar cell modules

produce electricity only when
the sun is shining. They do not
store energy, therefore to ensure
flow of electricity when the sun
is not shinning, it is necessary to
store some of the energy
produced. The most obvious
solution is to use batteries,
which chemically store electric energy. Batteries are groups of electro-
chemical cells (devices that convert chemical energy to electrical energy
connected in series. Battery cells are composed of two electrodes immersed in
electrolyte solution which produce an electric current when a circuit is
formed between them. The current is caused by reversible chemical reactions
between the electrodes and the electrolyte within the cell. Batteries that are
re-chargeable are called secondary or accumulator batteries. As the battery is
being charged, electric energy is stored as chemical energy in the cells. When

42 | P a g e
being discharged, the stored chemical energy is being removed from the
battery and converted to electrical energy Fig:5.13

The batteries are used as a storage device for solar energy which can be
further converted into electrical energy. The only exceptions are isolated
sunshine load such as irrigation pumps or drinking water supplies for storage,
for small units with output less than one kilowatt. Batteries seem to be the
only technically and economically available storage means. Since both the
photo- voltaic system and batteries are high in capital costs, it is necessary
that the overall system be optimized with respect to available energy and local
demand pattern.

BATTERY MOUNTING

Once the motor was mounted needed to find a place for the battery to
sit. As mentioned in the mounting the motor section, the base of the motor
was facing the rear of the mower and would provide a solid mounting surface
for the battery mount. To get the proper weight distribution I wanted to
mount the battery as close as could to the back wheels. This would allow the
handle bars to serve as a lever and allow the mower to easily pivot when on
its back wheels. Using a piece of stainless steel purchased from a local scrap
yard fabricated the battery mount. It started by placing the battery in the
centre of the square piece of stainless steel. Then marked the outline of the
battery on to the steel. Next cut the corners to allow the sides that extend
beyond the battery to be folded up. After folding up all four sides welded them
together for support. The battery fits tightly into the mount so no excess
strapping is needed. Fig: 5.14 Mounted battery of solar grass cutter

MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS
43 | P a g e
 In the first phase we just considered only about the mechanical
arrangements, which is responsible for rotating the dynamo. For this the team
members divided the work into two divisions. The mechanical arrangement
consisting of

 External framework
 Solar frame
 Shaft with free-wheeling bearing
 Wheels with DC motor
 Secondary spring with breaking arrangement
 Blades
 Battery

EXTERNAL IRON FRAME WORK

The external frame work is having 20/15 inches .There are four pairs of
cylindrical hollow pipes are welded as pillars, which will give the support for
the surface of the platform .Fig:6.2 Platform with lever arrangement.

At the bottom of the platform we have attached a lever Hence when a

pressure is applied on the surface of the platform the platform compresses
softly with the help of springs which is attached between the platform and the
hollow cylindrical iron pipes and the suspension for the platform will be given
by the spring the spring will compress for the average weight of 55 to 70 kg.
The spring's compression is tested for average weight using the spring
balance.

44 | P a g e
SOLAR FRAME

The solar frame having the iron cylindrical hollow pipes are welded in
square shape which is used to carry the solar panel. The solar panel is 12watts
which is connected to the battery Fig: 6.3 solar frame

Back side blade of solar grass cutter this blades rotates with the help of
a de motor which is connected with this blades. Due this de motor the blades
rotates very fast which uses to cut the grass. This de motors are 1000 rpm
with hydraulic gear motors 12 watts. There are two blades one in arranged
front of the solar grass cutter and another blade is arranged at the back side of
the grass cutter.

BATTERY

The solar energy was saved in the battery. Batteries that are re-
chargeable are called secondary or accumulator batteries. As the battery is
being charged, electric energy is stored as chemical energy in the cells. When
being discharged, the stored chemical energy is being removed from the
battery and converted to electrical energy. The battery is 12watts

45 | P a g e
46 | P a g e
COST ESTIMATION
BILL OF MATERIAL
SR.
NAME OF PRODUCT QUANTITY COST (RS.)
NO.

1 BATTERY 1 1250

2 SOLAR PLATE 1 3000

3 CUTTER 1 150

4 D.C.MOTOR 1 500

5 CHAPTER NO.
PRESS COMPONENT 1 7 400

6 COST ESTIMATION
BODY 1 1800

7 BEARING PART 1 250

8 OTHER EXPENSES - 1700

TOTAL 9050

47 | P a g e
 CHAPTER NO. 8
RESULT &
CONCLUSION

48 | P a g e
RESULT & CONCLUSION

Our project entitled Manufacturing of solar powered grass cutter is

successfully completed and the results obtained are satisfactory. It will be
easier for the people who are going to take the project for the further
modifications. This project is more suitable for a common man as it is having
much more advantages i.e., no fuel cost, no pollution and no fuel residue, less
wear and tear because of less number of moving components and this can be
operated by using solar energy. This will give much more physical exercise to
the people and can be easily handled. This system is having facility of charging
the batteries while the solar powered grass cutter is in motion. So it is much
more suitable for grass cutting also. The same thing can be operated in night
time also, as there is a facility to charge these batteries in day light.

The mechanism which we used i.e. Scotch yoke mechanism does not
given excepted efficiency. This efficiency can be increased by using some
other mechanism. and speed of motor is reduce because we have used heavy
material and this material can be replaced by using light weight material and
design of blades should be done based on types of grass is used to cut. The
project which we have done surly reaches the average families because the
grass can be trimmed with minimum cost and with minimum time finally this
project may give an inspiration to the people who can modify and can obtain
better results.

49 | P a g e
 CHAPTER NO. 9
REFERENCE

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REFERENCE

 https://www.google.com/search?
q=solar+grass+cutter+project&oq=SOLAR+GRASS+CUTTER+&aqs=chro
me.1.69i57j0l4j0i457j0l4.8550j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325221845_Automatic_Sola
r_Grass_Cutter
 https://www.google.com/search?
q=solar+grass+cutter+wikipedia&sxsrf=ALeKk03Y_Irm_YXZfcT8WK9eT
pdOOl0Ngw%3A1621676948095&ei=lNOoYLSzBeeX4-
EPt86i6A4&oq=solar+grass+cutter+WIKI&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMY
ADICCAAyBggAEBYQHjoHCCMQsAMQJzoHCAAQRxCwAzoECCMQJzoHC
AAQhwIQFDoHCCMQsAIQJzoECAAQDToHCAAQyQMQDVCOKlitamCjdG
gEcAJ4AIAB3QeIAekfkgELMC45LjQuNS0xLjGYAQCgAQGqAQdnd3Mtd2l
6yAEJwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz

  "Mower History".  oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk.

  Gary A. Smith (June 2001). "Technical Report: Lawn Mower-Related
Injuries to Children".  AAP News & Journals Gateway. Committee on Injury
and Poison Prevention.

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