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Solar Computing: Use of Solar Energy to Run Computer System

Ayesha Anam Irshad Siddiqui

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Computer Studies, Maulana Azad College of Arts, Commerce And Science, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, INDIA.

Corresponding Address:

[email protected]

Abstract: In this paper an attempt is made to explain the technological changes that have made solar power cost feasible for PC (Personal Computer) deployments and provide an overview to design for a solar powered PC deployment. It is common belief that converting solar energy to electricity was firstly introduced over 130 years ago, and it has been used to power PCs for more than 20 years. Solar energy has an important, clean, cheap and abundantly available renewable energy. This technology has widest scope. India is one of the countries where solar energy can be replaced by electricity. Among the renewable energy sources solar photovoltaic (PV) energy has been widely utilized in small size applications with PC. The heat and light received from the sun support the environment on the earth and this shows significant role in utilizing of solar energy in deployment PCs.

Keywords: Solar energy, solar cells, solar photovoltaic (PV) energy, Solar panel.

Introduction

Solar energy is a solar power derived from the sun through the use of solar panels. Active solar energy involves the conversion of sunlight to electrical energy, especially in solar (photovoltaic) cells Solar energy is vital to support life on earth, it helps to grow our food, light our days, influence weather patterns, provide heat, and can be used to generate solar electricity. Solar electricity relies upon man-made devices such as solar panels or solar cells in order to provide a source of clean, and low cost renewable energy. Now-a-days solar energy technologies become more advanced; that are able to exploit the energy we receive from the sun to provide a greater, significant amount of electricity. Proper and uninterrupted supply of electricity is not feasible at various parts of world. Especially, countries like India have a big problem of electricity where a large amount of electricity is generated by traditional methods. Therefore, irregularity of rainfall makes severe this problem. But, countries like India have great scope for solar energy.    The need today is to run computers in every corner of the country. Government, Banking, Financial Service and Insurance (BFSI), Education and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), all sectors depend on ICT for effective execution.  The power situation in India does not permit the use of computers in large parts of rural India.SPV based solar power generation has emerged as a reliable and efficient power source for those locations that are not connected to the electricity grid. A solar computing solution is feasible because of following reasons:

1. Run from the direct current generated by SPV and battery, not alternating current.

2. Light weighted, rugged and reliable, to reduce transport and service costs.

3. Able to operate in hot and dusty environments (like the climate of India)

Due to limitations on time, space and financial budget generation of electricity does not remain feasible as:

1. Electricity is expensive for both building power plants and producing electricity.
2. Miles and miles of electric wire are needed to reach peoples homes. 
3. With growing population, we need to make more and more electricity to support it.

      Many researcher have been attracted towards development the better efficiency appliances that save electricity, at lower cost. 

Figure 1: file photo showing working of solar energy.

Uses of solar Energy

1. Heat Swimming Pool With Solar Energy
2. Solar Energy Can Heat Water
3. Solar Energy Can Heat Home
4. Power Pumps With Solar Energy
5. Solar Energy For Battery Charging
6. Solar Energy For Cooking
7. Solar Energy for Indoor Lighting

Use of Solar Energy to Run Computer system

Running computer on solar power is an excellent way to work. Desktop computer can run on solar power. They are not as portables as a laptop but we get completely free electricity from the sun. Computers vary in the amount of power they need. A laptop computer uses much less power than a desktop, but in both cases it depends heavily on the types of hardware components in the computer and how it is used on a day to day basis. Here solar energy is replaced in place of electricity that decreases the consumption of electricity and moreover it is eco friendly too.

Requirements for Solar Power

Solar panel, Charge controller, Battery

Figure 2: file photo shows arrangement of computer systems based on solar energy

Working of computer with solar system

1. A solar panel that is powerful enough to run the computer. A solar panel must be rated 20% more than we need.
2. Compute power required by using the power adapter: If it doesn't list the watts, then multiply amps and volts to figure the wattage needed at peak usage.
3. Solar panels are rated at their peak output capacity and due to variations in weather it's unusual to get the full amount of rated power from them. Purchase a solar panel that is rated for at least 20 percent more than we need.
4. For example: A 60-watt solar panel may only produce an average of 48 watts an hour in the morning or afternoon of a clear day while producing 55 to 60 watts during the peak of sunshine around noon. If computer is running for many hours each day, it would be best to get a 72- to 80-watt
5. A solar charge controller required. The charge controller helps prevent the panels from sending too little or too much current to battery, plus it prevents the battery from discharging at night or on cloudy days.
6. An AC-to-DC inverter required. This gives a standard household wall socket that can plug the computer into.
7. Connect solar panel to the charge controller with the combined male/female plugs provided on each.
8. Connect charge controller to the battery.

      If charge controller has a male/female plug for connecting to the battery, we need an adapter that has the male/female combined plug on one end to connect to the controller, and the positive and negative wires on the other end to wire to the battery. Charge the battery from the solar panel for several hours to one full day before using it the first time. Connect inverter to the battery using the battery clips. Attach the positive (red) clip to the positive battery post and the negative (black) clip to the negative battery post. Turn on the inverter and plug computer cord into the outlet, and then turn the computer on.

Cost estimation for Solar Panel Installation

             The cost of power generated from coal and natural gas can range from Rs. 2 to 3 per KWh. The cost of wind power falls between Rs. 3 and 3.2 per KWh. In 2009, the cost of Solar Power from photovoltaic cells and solar thermal falls between Rs. 10 and Rs 15 per KWh. Solar photovoltaic systems sized between 1 to 5 kilowatts are usually sufficient. The average homeowner saves over Rs.50000 a year on electricity by installing solar panels on their roof. That's including the cost of solar panels. The most common way to go solar today is by leasing, which essentially means instead of paying the utility you pay less to produce your own energy.

Electricity required for running computers:

A typical desktop computer uses about 65 to 250 watts.

LCD monitor use 15-70 watts.

Most laptop computers use about 15-60 watts, far less than desktops.

Total cost can be calculated as:

    X    Cost per kilowatt-hour = Total Cost   

For example, A computer require 200watts. Energy consumption and cost evaluation:

200 watts x 24 hours x 365 days/yr = 1,752,000 watt-hours, or 1752 kilowatt-hours. If we are paying Rs.5 per kWh, so we are paying Rs. 8760 a year to run computer

Conclusion
An attempt is made to show significant role of solar energy in running computer system with lower costs reduction in electricity with saving environment. There is a bright future for solar power. On the average sunny day the sun shines approximately 1,000 watts of energy per square meter, enough energy to power all of our electricity needs and excess. Solar power a renewable resource because it is continuously supplied to us by the sun.  Solar technology is generally broken up into two different categories: photovoltaic and solar-thermal technology. The former converting the power of the sun directly into electricity and the later utilizing the heat generated by the sun. Both of these are highly praised for their lack of pollution due largely in part to the lack of the need of combustion. Many factors come into place when deciding what the outcome of solar power will be as a major player in energy technologies. Solar energy can only be extracted during light hours; leaving us to turn to other means at night. The technology to store large amounts of energy from solar power does not yet exist. That means that solar power would best be combined with other power.

References

1. http://www.eai.in/blog/2009/07/cost-of-solar-power-in-india-over-rs-15.html
2. http://electrical.about.com/od/appliances/tp/Top-10-Solar-Energy-Uses.htm
3. http://www.ehow.com/how_5879728_run-computer-solar-power.html
4. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/solar+energy
5. http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/energy_definitions/definition_of_solar_energy.
6. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-most-common-electrical-problems.htm
7. http://www.thinvent.in/products/solar/solar-computing
8. http://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/casestudies/WA-324794.pdf