CHAPTER 2

2.1 COMPONENTS OF SOLAR IV PLOTTER

SOLAR PANEL: A solar panel is actually a collection of solar (or photovoltaic) cells, which can
be used to generate electricity through photovoltaic effect. These cell are arranged in a grid-like
pattern on the surface of solar panels.
LOAD: An electrical load is an electrical component or portion of a circuit that consumes (active)
electric power. From this load we determine current generated and voltage.

RESISTOR : A resistor is a two-terminal electronic component that produces a voltage across

its terminals that is proportional to the electric current through it in accordance with Ohm's law:
V = IR.

CURRENT SENSING ELEMENT: A current sensor is a device that detects electric current in
a wire, and generates a signal proportional to that current. The generated signal could be analog
voltage or current or even a digital output. This senses the current across the load.

VOLTAGE SENSING ELEMENT: A voltage sensor can in fact determine, monitor and can
measure the supply of voltage. It can measure AC level or DC voltage level. The input to the
voltage sensor is the voltage itself and the output can be analog voltage signals, switches, audible
signals, analog current level, frequency or even frequency modulated outputs. This senses the
voltage across the load.

5 VOLT POWER SUPPLY: This power supply is given externally. This is used by
microcontroller to carry out its work.

LIGHT EMITTING DIODE : A light-emitting diode (LED) is an electronic light source. LEDs
are used as indicator lamps in many kinds of electronics and increasingly for lighting. LEDs work
by the effect of electro luminescence, discovered by accident in 1907. The LED was introduced
as a practical electronic component in 1962. All early devices emitted low intensity red light, but
modem LEDs are available across the visible, ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths, with very
high brightness.
LEDs are based on the semiconductor diode. When the diode is forward biased (switched on),
electrons are able to recombine with holes and energy is released in the form of light. This
effect is called electro luminescence and the color of the light is determined by the energy gap
of the semiconductor. The LED is usually small in area (less than 1 mm 2) with integrated
optical components to shape its radiation pattern and assist in reflection. 19 LEDs present many
advantages over traditional light sources including lower energy consumption, longer lifetime,
improved robustness, smaller size and faster switching. However, they are relatively expensive
and require more precise current and heat management than traditional light sources