FEASIBILITY STUDY OF SOLAR POWERED BICYCLE RACE

MOHD HAFIFI BIN SABRI

This thesis is submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Hons.) (Power System)

Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Universiti Malaysia Pahang

OCTOBER, 2010

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“References of information from other sources are quoted accordingly; otherwise the

information presented in this report is solely work of the author.”

Signature : ____________________________

Author : MOHD HAFIFI BIN SABRI

Date : 29 OCTOBER 2010

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Throughout the completion of this project I have gained chances to learn new

skills and knowledge. I wish to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to my

supervisor, Mr. Omar Bin Aliman for his continuous guidance, concern, encouragement

and advices which gave inspiration in accomplishing my final year project.

Special thanks to University Malaysia Pahang for supporting and providing

equipment and information sources that assisted my studies and projects.

My sincere appreciation to the lecturers of Faculty of Electrical and Electronics

Engineering who have put in effort to the lectures and always nurture and guide us with

precious advices. Thank you for sharing those experiences.

To all my lovely current and ex-roommates and friends who always willingly

assist and support me throughout my journey of education, you all deserve my

wholehearted appreciation. Many thanks.

Last but not least, my beloved family members who always stand by my side

concerning the ups and downs of my life. Home is where I find comfort. Endless love.

Mohd Hafifi Bin Sabri

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ABSTRACT

There are many solar race in this era such as solar bicycle race, solar car race

and other. Because of solar race regulations system which have similarities in using

battery as storage power, the idea to customize the system solar race especially solar

bicycle race come to mind. This study purpose is to develop guideline for solar powered

bicycle race and prove the feasibility with simulation. So, this study is based on

choosing the suitable components and the relations between them. With the suitable

selection of the components in this study, guideline has been developed as the strategy to

win the race. This study will use fully solar powered as energy to move the bicycle. The

result of this study will produce a bicycle that can finish the race in below 19 second in

100 meter. This thesis can be use as a reference and guideline to other people or

organization to organize a solar bicycle race competition.

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ABSTRAK

Terdapat pelbagai perlumbaan solar pada era ini seperti perlumbaan basikal

solar, perlumbaan kereta solar dan lain-lain. Oleh kerana terdapat banyak peraturan

perlumbaan solar basikal yang hampir sama seperti penggunaan bateri sebagai tempat

menyimpan kuasa, satu idea untuk mengubah Kajian ini adalah untuk membangunkan

satu garis panduan basikal lumba solar dan membuktikan garis panduan ini dengan

melakukan kaedah simulasi. Oleh itu, kajian ini adalah untuk memilih komponen-

komponen basikal lumba solar dan hubungan antara setiap komponen. Dengan

pemilihan komponen ini, strategi untuk memenangi perlumbaan di susun. Kajian ini

akan menggunakan seluruh kuasa daripada solar sebagai tenaga untuk menggerakkan

basikal. Hasil daripada kajian ini menunjukkan basikal in dapat menghabiskan jarak 100

meter dengan masa bawah 9 saat. Kajian ini boleh dijadikan sebagai rujukan dan garis

panduan kepada orang ramai dan organisasi yang hendak melakukan perlumbaan basikal

solar.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1: Introduction 1

1.2: Problem Statement 2

1.3: Photovoltaic Energy 3

1.4: Objectives 4

1.5: Scope of Project 4

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 6

2.1: Introduction 6

2.2: Solar Powered Pump 8

2.2.1: Controller 9

2.3: Solar Powered Vehicles 9

2.3.1: Solar Car 10

2.3.2: Solar Bicycle and Motorcycle 11

2.3.3: Solar Ship 12

2.3.4: Solar Airplanes 12

2.3.5: Solar Boat 13

2.3.5.1: Charger 13

2.3.5.2: Battery 14

2.3.5.3: Motor 15

2.4: Solar Powered Racing Car 15

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2.4.1: Car Design 16

2.4.2: Electrical System 17

2.4.2.1: Motor Selection 19

2.4.3: Mechanical System 19

2.4.4: Solar Array 20

2.4.5: Aerodynamic 21

2.4.6: Mass 21

2.4.7: Rolling resistance 22

2.5: Solar Powered Bicycle Race 22

3 METHODOLOGY 23

3.1: Introduction 23

3.2: Competition Regulation 25

3.2.1 : Track 26

3.2.2 : Rider 27

3.2.3 : Solar Bicycle Specification 31

3.3 : Bicycle 31

3.4 : Power Calculation 32

3.4.1 : Wind Resistance 33

3.4.2 : Rolling Resistance 35

3.5 : Cycling 30 meter 37

3.6 : Solar Panel 38

3.6.1 : Monocrystalline 38

3.6.1.1 : Efficiency 38

3.6.1.2 : Space Saving 39

3.6.1.3 : Specification 40

3.6.2 : PV Performance 40

3.6.3 : Solar Panel Selection 41

3.7 : Motor 43

3.7.1 : DC Motor 43

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3.7.1.1 DC Brushless Motor 44

3.7.2 : Motor Torque Calculation 45

3.7 : Controller 46

4 RESULT 47

4.1 : Introduction 47

4.2 : Bicycle 50

4.3 : Rider 51

4.4 : Wind Resistance 54

4.5 : Rolling Resistance 55

4.6 : Power versus Speed 57

4.7 : Cycling Speed 59

4.8 : Solar Panel 60

4.9 : Motor 62

4.9.1 : Simulation of Motor 69

4.10: Guideline for solar powered bicycle race 72

4.10.1 : Track Condition 73

4.10.2 : Bicycle Solar Race Component 73

4.10.3 : Rider 74

4.10.4 : Strategy 74

5 CONCLUSION 75

5.1 : Conclusion 75

5.2 : Recommendations 76

5.3 : Costing 76

REFERENCES 77

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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE

2.1 Average speed of winner from year 1987 until 2009 17

3.1 Survey result for male UMP student 27

3.2 Survey result for female UMP student 28

3.3 Survey result for public people 29

3.4 Survey result for SMK Ayer Puteh Student ` 30

3.5 Drag coefficient 34

3.6 Air density 35

3.7 Rolling coefficient 36

3.8 Time taken to cycling complete 30 meter 37

3.9 Solar panel at various size 42

4.1 Results by bicycle specification 50

4.2 Energy of rider 51

4.3 Results by velocity versus wind resistance 54

4.4 Results by weight versus force 56

4.5 Results by total weight 58

4.6 Results by power required on solar bicycle at

certain speed 58

4.7 Result by solar panel specification 60

4.8 Result by motor specification 62

4.9 Result by torque required at certain speed 64

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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO. TITLE PAGE

3.1 Logo solar BikeRayce USA 25

3.2 Track 26

3.3 Solar panel 39

3.4 DC motor 44

3.5 Controller 46

4.1 Herculas bicycle from Raleigh company 50

4.2 Graph of weight versus power 52

4.3 Graph of wind forces versus velocity 55

4.4 Graph of forces versus weight 57

4.5 Graph of power versus speed 59

4.6 Graph of distance versus torque 65

4.7 Graph of speed at certain torque 65

4.8 Graph of distance versus speed (motor assist) 67

4.9 Graph of speed assist motor and without assist motor 68

4.10 Graph of distance versus time 69

4.11 Graph of power required for motor at certain speed 70

4.12 Graph of efficiency and speed of motor 71

4.13 Graph of power loss of the motor 72

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LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX TITLE PAGE

A Survey form 79

B Simulation (Excel Software) 81

C Datasheet 99

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

SPBR Solar Powered Bicycle Race

AC Alternate Current

CHS Convection Heat Storage

DC Direct Current

LED Light Emitting Diode

ICS Integrated Collector Storage

PV Photovoltaic

USA United States of America

SMK Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

A solar powered bicycle is an electric vehicle powered by solar energy

obtained from solar panels the on vehicle. Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert the sun's

energy directly into electrical energy.

Solar bicycle racing refers to competitive races bicycle which are powered by

solar energy obtained from solar panels on the bicycle. Solar bicycle race almost

same like normal solar bicycle but the difference between solar bicycle race and

normal solar bicycle is performance and composite or type every component. Such as

the type of solar panel, motor drive and bicycle metal.

The main component of solar powered bicycle race is a bicycle. Size of the

bicycle is very important to make sure the solar bicycle is not carrying extra weight.

This is because that weight can reduce the speed of the solar bicycle.

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The other main component in solar powered bicycle race is motor. Motor is

needed to give a kinetic energy to move the bicycle. Suitable motor is very important to

give a high performance and maximum condition of solar powered bicycle race. The

solar panel located at the back of the bicycle. This is for make sure aerodynamic of the

bicycle is efficient and the value of the wind resistance is small.

Solar bicycle races advantage is to promote the development of alternative

energy technology such as solar cells. Such challenges are often entered by universities

to develop their students' engineering and technological skills, but many business

corporations have entered competitions in the past. A small number of high school teams

participate in solar car races designed exclusively for high school students.

1.2 Problem Statement

Solar race competition is very famous in big country like a USA[1]. One of the

famous solar race is solar bicycle race. Their organizer very excited to make solar

bicycle race competition until this race competition is make every single year. Their

people very interest to participate in this race. This is because they are interested doing

research in renewable energy like a solar powered vehicle. Effect of this situation, many

guideline and strategy for solar vehicles like a solar powered bicycle race is develop. But

It’s difference from Malaysia, solar bicycle race competition is not famous in Malaysia

because don’t have any organizer interest to doing this competition. If have the

organizer interest organize the solar bicycle race competition, Malaysia people just join

the race for fun. They want be a champion but they not interest to doing the research in

order to be a champion in solar bicycle race. So, Malaysia doesn’t have any solar bicycle

guideline.

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1.3 Photovoltaic Energy

The term "photovoltaic" has two parts: photo, a Greek word meaning light, and

voltaic, a reference to electrical energy innovator Alessandro Volta. In 1839,

French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, the production

of a volt by use of a semiconductor[2]. This discovery prompted further experimentation

with light sources and semiconductors, which led to the invention of solar cells that

produce photovoltaic energy.

Photovoltaic’s (PV) is a method of generating electrical power by

converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that

exhibit the photovoltaic effect. These semiconducting cells are usually made

of silicon and do not contain any corrosive materials or moving parts. As long as the

solar cells are exposed to light, they will produce photovoltaic energy with a minimum

of maintenance. This energy is also environmentally clean, quiet, and safe.

The resulting output of photovoltaic energy is dependent upon the size of the

array. The size may vary, depending on the amount of available sunlight and the amount

of power needed. Even though the power output of a photovoltaic energy system

depends on the overall amount of light exposure, it will still generate energy on cloudy

or overcast days. To store this energy for later transmission, a variety of storage systems

are available to consumers. Most reliable storage systems use a combination of

rechargeable batteries and energy-storing capacitors, some of which can be designed

for AC or DC power.

The amount of power available on cloudy days and at night in a photovoltaic

energy system depends on the energy output of the photovoltaic modules and the battery

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arrangement. Adding additional modules and batteries will increase the available power,

but will also increase the cost of the system. For best results, a thorough analysis of

needs vs. cost must be conducted in order to create a system design that will balance cost

and need with convenience of use. Systems that are well-designed offer the opportunity

for expansion or reduction as energy needs increase or decrease.

1.4 Objectives

1. To develop guideline for the solar powered bicycle race.

2. To prove the feasibility of solar powered bicycle race.

1.5 Scopes of Project

This study will focus on the design a workable of solar powered bicycle by

means of photovoltaic energy. However battery as energy to energize solar powered

bicycle race movement is out of the study. Scope on this study is focus on efficiency of

this solar powered bicycle race . The limitation of this study is focus on one group of

rider of solar powered bicycle race. Since the result of study is not know either feasible

or not this solar powered bicycle race take part in race, therefore no hardware will be

built as model of solar powered bicycle race. On the other hand, this study are use

combination of the calculation technique and specification to develop guideline of solar

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powered bicycle race. Excel software will use for simulate to prove the guideline of

solar powered bicycle race. For this study, track distance 100 meter will use.

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by

humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies.

Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such

as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the

available renewable energy on earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar

energy is used.

Solar powered electrical generation relies on heat engines and photovoltaic.

Solar energy's uses are limited only by human ingenuity. A partial list of solar

applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable

water via distillation and disinfection, day lighting, solar hot water, solar cooking,

and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes. To harvest the solar

energy, the most common way is to use solar panels.

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Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active

solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active

solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to

harness the energy. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun,

selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and

designing spaces that naturally circulate air.

The Earth receives 174 petawatts (PW) of incoming solar radiation (insulation) at

the upper atmosphere[3]. Approximately 30% is reflected back to space while the rest is

absorbed by clouds, oceans and land masses. The spectrum of solar light at the Earth's

surface is mostly spread across the visible and near-infrared ranges with a small part in

the near-ultraviolet.[4]

Earth's land surface, oceans and atmosphere absorb solar radiation, and this

raises their temperature. Warm air containing evaporated water from the oceans rises,

causing atmospheric circulation or convection. When the air reaches a high altitude,

where the temperature is low, water vapor condenses into clouds, which rain onto the

Earth's surface, completing the water cycle. The latent heat of water condensation

amplifies convection, producing atmospheric phenomena such

as wind, cyclones and anti-cyclones[5]. Sunlight absorbed by the oceans and land

masses keeps the surface at an average temperature of

14 °C[6]. By photosynthesis green plants convert solar energy into chemical energy,

which produces food, wood and the biomass from which fossil fuels are derived[7].

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2.2 Solar Powered Pump

These solar applications made economic sense because the location was too

remote to run a long power line. A solar-powered water system is one of the easiest solar

power systems to install, since not need a battery or battery charging equipment. When

the sun is shining, the system is pumping, when the sun is not shining, the system is off.

By adding a storage tank and increasing the size of the pumping system, excess

pumped water can be stored, which can continue to supply water during the night or

when it’s cloudy and the pump is off.

Low voltage DC pumps designed to operate on solar power are not designed like

220-volt AC water pumps. A DC water pump is designed to pump using the absolute

minimum of electrical power. Unfortunately, this also usually means a very low flow

rate, so having a storage tank or open trough is essential.

Although the flow rate can be less than one gallon per minute (GPM) for the

smaller pump sizes, this small flow will be fairly constant throughout the solar day (9

AM to 3 PM for most locations). This low flow rate can still provide over 350 gallons of

water per day from all but the deepest well applications.

A solar module can be mounted almost anywhere. Most farm and ranch

applications should have the modules and pump controller mounted on a raised pole to

stay above snow drifts and potential damage from animals.

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2.2.1 Controller

Each residential-size solar module will produce a fairly constant 17-volts output

at almost any level of sunlight. However, the current output (amps) will be directly

proportional to sun intensity. The pump will have a minimum current draw when stalled

and no pumping is taking place. As the voltage is increased, pump rotation and water

pumping is increased as long as enough current is available. During less than ideal solar

periods, the current output of the solar module(s) can be below the amp draw required

for the pump to begin pumping. A solar pump controller will convert any excess voltage

of the solar array to more output current.

The resulting lower voltage will not provide the normal flow output from the

slower turning pump, but it will allow reduced flow during those hours the pump will

normally be “stalled.” In addition to matching the voltage and current load of the pump

with the charging current and voltage output of the solar module, a solar-pump

controller also includes wiring terminals for normally open (n.o.) and normally closed

(n.c.) switch contacts. This makes it easy to add a high and low level float switch to the

storage tank, or a low-limit float switch for the well or pond providing the water source.

2.3 Solar powered vehicles

A solar vehicle is an electric vehicle powered by solar electricity. This is

obtained from solar panels on the surface (generally, the top or window) of the vehicle

or using a solar jacket in electric bicycles. Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert the sun's

energy directly into electrical energy.

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Solar vehicles are not sold as practical day-to-day transportation devices at

present, but are primarily demonstration vehicles and engineering exercises, often

sponsored by government agencies. However indirectly solar-charged vehicles are

widespread and solar boats are available commercially.

2.3.1 Solar Car

Solar cars combine technology typically used in

the aerospace, bicycle, alternative energy and automotive industries. The design of a

solar vehicle is severely limited by the amount of energy input into the car. Most solar

cars have been built for the purpose of solar car races. Exceptions include solar-powered

cars and utility vehicles.

Solar cars are often fitted with gauges as seen in conventional cars. In order to

keep the car running smoothly, the driver must keep an eye on these gauges to spot

possible problems. Cars without gauges almost always feature wireless telemetry, which

allows the driver's team to monitor the car's energy consumption, solar energy capture

and other parameters and free the driver to concentrate on driving.

Solar cars depend on PV cells to convert sunlight into electricity. In fact, 51% of

sunlight actually enters the Earth's atmosphere[8]. Unlike solar thermal energy which

converts solar energy to heat for either household purposes, industrial purposes or to be

converted to electricity, PV cells directly convert sunlight into electricity[9]. When

sunlight (photons) strike PV cells, they excite electrons and allow them to flow, creating

an electrical current. PV cells are made of semiconductor materials such as silicon and

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alloys of indium, gallium and nitrogen. Silicon is the most common material used and

has an efficiency rate of 15-20%. Of late, several consulting companies, such as Phoenix

Snider Power, have started offering technical and financial services to institutes and

teams developing solar cars worldwide.

2.3.2 Solar Bicycle and Motorcycle

A solar bicycle or tricycle has the advantage of very low weight and can use the

riders foot power to supplement the power generated by the solar panel roof. In this way,

a comparatively simple and inexpensive vehicle can be driven without the use of any

fossil fuels[10].

Solar photovoltaic’s helped power India's first Quadricycle developed since 1996

in Gujarat state's SURAT city[11]. The first solar "cars" were actually tricycles or

quadricycles built with bicycle technology. These were called solarmobiles at the first

solar race, the Tour de Sol in Switzerland in 1985 with 72 participants, half using

exclusively solar power and half solar-human-powered hybrids. A few true solar

bicycles were built, either with a large solar roof, a small rear panel, or a trailer with a

solar panel. Later more practical solar bicycles were built with foldable panels to be set

up only during parking. Even later the panels were left at home, feeding into the electric

mains, and the bicycles charged from the mains. Today highly developed electric

bicycles are available and these use so little power that it costs little to buy the

equivalent amount of solar electricity. The "solar" has evolved from actual hardware to

an indirect accounting system. The same system also works for electric motorcycles,

which were also first developed for the Tour de Sol. This is rapidly becoming an era of

solar production[12].

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2.3.3 Solar Ships

Solar powered boats have mainly been limited to rivers and canals, but in 2007

an experimental 14m catamaran, the Sun21 sailed the Atlantic from Seville to Miami,

and from there to New York[13].

Japan's biggest shipping line Nippon Yusen KK and Nippon Oil Corporation said

solar panels capable of generating 40 kilowatts of electricity would be placed on top of a

60,213 ton car carrier ship to be used by Toyota Motor Corporation[12][13][14].

Tûranor Planet Solar is the biggest solar ship[14]. It is planned to be the first ship using

only solar power to circumnavigate the globe.

2.3.4 Solar Airplanes

A solar-powered aircraft in Switzerland completed a 26-hour test flight starting

at 7 a.m. on 8 July 2010 which ended at 9 a.m. the next day. The plane was flown to a

height of nearly 28,000 feet (8,500 meters) by Andre Borschberg. During the evening,

the plane slowly descended to an altitude of 4,500 feet (1,500 meters), where it remained

for the rest of the night using battery power. An hour before dawn, the plane still had six

hours of flying time left in its solar-fueled batteries[16].