NIT Rourkela develops clean energy innovation to improve solar energy harvesting

Hyderabad: Researchers of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have succeeded in innovating a new low-cost technology to extract maximum power from solar panels under changing weather conditions. The developed technology has also been granted a patent, according to a press release issued by the Institute on Thursday. The team of researchers led by Prof. Susovon Samanta of department of Electrical Engineering comprised PhD student Satabdi Bhattacharya, Dual Degree Student Madhusmita Barik.

Solar panels produce electricity from sunlight, but the amount of power they generate changes throughout the day due to shifts in temperature and the intensity of sunlight. To ensure they always produce the most energy possible, solar systems use a technique called Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT). This is a smart system that helps solar panels produce the most electricity possible by adjusting voltage and current based on sunlight and temperature changes.

It consists of a microcontroller that runs the MPPT algorithm, sensors to measure voltage and current, and a DC-DC converter that regulates power flow. The system continuously monitors the solar panel’s output and makes minor adjustments to keep it operating at peak efficiency, ensuring minimal energy waste. Traditional MPPT methods can waste energy and respond slowly when weather conditions change. They also require expensive current sensors, making them less affordable for low-cost solar setups.

To overcome these limitations, Prof. Samanta’s team developed a voltage sensor-based MPPT method that eliminates the need for current sensors, reducing system complexity and cost. Their approach uses a simple voltage sensor or a resistor divider circuit to track the Maximum Power Point (MPP) more accurately while maintaining stable and efficient steady-state operation, leading to improved tracking efficiency and better PV energy harvesting.

Speaking about the innovation, Prof. Samanta said, “Our method prevents small power fluctuations that older techniques struggle with, ensuring stable and efficient power extraction. It also responds quickly to changes in sunlight and temperature, allowing the system to consistently operate at peak efficiency. Additionally, by using only a voltage sensor or a simple resistor divider circuit, it reduces system complexity and cost. Its adaptable design enables integration into various solar power setups, making it a versatile solution for a wide range of applications”

This innovation has broad applications in the renewable energy sector. Eliminating the need for expensive current sensors, reduces costs and makes it a good fit for affordable and small-scale solar projects. In addition to this, the developed innovation can also be used in Solar-powered IoT devices such as weather sensors and remote communication towers, where maintaining reliable energy output is crucial, affordable consumer solar products like home lighting systems and portable solar chargers, where cost and efficiency are key consideration and microgrid and off-grid energy solutions, providing a stable and reliable power source in remote or rural areas.