ABSTRACT

Solar controlled traffic light is a generic term describing a street light that

is facilitated by solar power. Study shows that about 80% of solar traffic

lights stop functioning few months after installations and many cases;

they are usually abandoned to deteriorate. And this magnitude of failure

could be attributed to so many factors of which the interest of this

research work is to critically look into the menace of failure of solar

powered traffic lights and proffer solution to ensure sustainability. This

research intends to adopt investigative and analytic approach in accessing

and solving the problems. Also, there will be need to carry out laboratory

tests on effects of environmental conditions (temperature, pressure,

humidity and dust) on the solar system. This thesis when successfully

completed, would provide enough information and guidelines on

effective maintenance and prevention of failures in solar powered

devices.
 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The essence of incorporating solar energy into the various manufacturing

processes and production in engineering and other sectors is to bring to a

minimum level the use of fossil fuel and its adverse effect on our

environment. The world is currently fighting global warming and one of

the way this could be tackled is by replacing the current energy source to

renewable energy sources such as solar energy. The sun emits about 63

million watts of energy per square meter, and by the time this energy

reaches the earth having journeyed through a distance of about 150

million kilometers, it reduces to 1,370 watts per square meter at the top of

atmosphere directly facing the sun (known as extraterrestrial solar

radiation ) [1]. The amount reaching the earth atmosphere is attenuated by

the components of the atmosphere where part of it are absorbed or

reflected. Whereas the total amount of sun’s radiation that arrives at the

surface of the earth consist of two parts namely, the direct (beam)

radiation and indirect or diffuse radiation. With this data on the hugely

available energy from the sun, it could be clearly seen that the challenge

here isn’t whether there is sufficient energy but how effective the

technology for its utilization.

The technology used in harnessing this free gift of nature to mankind is

through photo-voltaic solar panel or solar collectors. Photo-voltaic is a

term which deals with the conversion of light into electricity using

semiconducting materials that exhibits the photo-voltaic effect: a

phenomenon that governs the creation of voltage and electric current in a

material when exposed to light [2].

1.1 Statement of problem

The effectiveness of solar panels especially the ones used in powering the

streetlights and traffic lights in the city of Abuja has been deteriorating

drastically due to the deposition of dust particles on the surfaces. This

research project is designed to look into the failure mechanism and how

to curb its effects.

1.3 Aim/objectives

The aim of this research is to ascertain the causes as well as proffer

the needed solutions to the poor performance of solar powered

devices especially street lights, dust being the chief suspect. To

achieve this aim, the following set objectives will be adopted:

 To test the effect of dust particles on solar panels

 To examine the effect of temperature on the surface of solar panels

 To evaluate the extent of vandalism on the system components

1.4 Significance of the Research

This research, when completed, aim and objectives achieved, will bring

lasting solutions to the underlying issues of solar powered devices.

1.5 Scope

This research is limited to the study of the effect of dust and temperature

on solar panels.

1.6 Methodology

 To test the effect of dust and the power efficiency of solar controlled

traffic light, samples of defective panels would be tested and the dust

level determined. This will be done by washing off the dust on the

panel and weighing it thoroughly to determine the weight increment

based on the volume of water used. And when re-measured, any

increase in weight will justify that something was on the panel. Also,

a new solar panel will be subjected to dust deposition on progressive

measure and the effect determined. The results will be used analyzed

to see if there is any relationship between quantity of dust

accumulated and the power efficiency.

 To examine the effect of moisture content, obsolete solar panels can

be assessed for the different level of moisture content by drying in the

oven to establish the percentage of moisture. The effective power

transmission through the obsolete materials would be carried out and then

reversed before determining the moisture content. Constant weight from

selected obsolete samples would also be determined. The next thing

would be taking a new solar panel and subject the samples to moisture

content varying the time of exposure (soaking).

 To determine the effect of temperature on the solar panel, sample

panels would be subjected to various degrees of temperature while testing

to ascertain the outcome.

 To investigate the rate of vandalism, careful observation of the

various areas where this solar traffic light are situated would be carried

out to find out the components that could be missing or vandalized in the

system causing it not to work properly or efficiently and effectively.

1.7 Materials

To address these factors (or variables), experimental setup to measure

the effect of the variables on the power efficiency would be

conceived.

The materials needed will include the following:

 Solar panel capable of generating wavelength

 XENON LAMP which will represent Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation.

 A monitoring instrument to detect radiation efficiency of sample

panels.

 For Dust, there will be need to source for environmental dust, fumes,

particulates, and algae e.t.c.

 For Moisture, soaking utensils (it could be glass cups or basins) and
 oven for drying.

 For Temperature, I will use oven to raise the temperature of the

sample panels to selected degrees

 Thermometer will also be used to determine the temperatures

 Weighing balance and other scientific instruments for measurements.

2.0 Literature Review

3.0 Results

Results obtained will be compared with the available data in the

literature. Mathematical analysis will be carried out to establish possible

relationships: Time of exposure (te), temperature of exposure (Te),

efficiency (Eff) and quantity of voltage (Vp) produced. Failure in life-

cycle could be deduced through mathematical modeling.

4.0 Conclusion

Appropriate interpretation of the data in the results will be used to

determine the effect of the environmental variables.

Preventive techniques can also be induced from parameters of

significance.

draft

Solar based systems failure could be traced to environmental parameters

such as:

 Dust deposition on the surface area of the panel

 Moisture or humid conditions on the panel;

 and the ambient temperature of the environment

 Vandalism of the component of the system

 Environmental degradation which seems to be more devastating

resulting to failure.
REFERENCES

1. David, Sarokin (August 2018) Solar Energy and The Earth. Retrieved
from www.sciencing.com/earth-recover-heat-sun

2. <http://wikipedia.org/solarcells>

3. <https://sciencing.com/kind-light-solar-cell-need-21539.html.>

4. Gueymard CA. The sun’s total and spectral irradiance for solar energy
applications and solar radiation models. Solar Energy 2004;76(4):423–53.

5. Meral ME, Dinc¸ er F. A review of the factors affecting operation and

efficiency of photovoltaic based electricity generation systems.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2011;15(5):2176–84.