ECE.05M – MPPT-based solar charge controller

• Oyun Boldbaatar
• Ivan Gonzalez
• Brandan Hammonds
• John Hubka
• Elias Morales

The United States Energy Information Administration estimates that the use of solar power in the US alone will increase ~75% just by the end of 2025. This will drive an increased need for solar energy conversion. However, many existing Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solutions are often expensive and inaccessible, preventing the widespread use of technologies for renewable energy. Our project aims to make it easier for people to access efficient solar energy by developing a low cost MPPT system, with just material cost alone being around $25 USD compared to competitors who can charge up to $120 per unit, empowering communities to harness solar energy more affordably and sustainably. Our solution maximizes energy extraction from solar panels, making renewable energy more accessible to a wider demographic by utilizing inexpensive components and creative algorithms. Our low cost MPPT system shows comparable performance to its expensive counterparts through extensive testing and optimization, opening the door for the widespread use of clean energy technologies. Our work not only tackles the affordability issue but also highlights how crucial scalability and adaptability are to renewable energy solutions. Our low cost MPPT system’s modular design makes it simple for users to customize the technology to meet their needs and environmental constraints, particularly the option to offer an alternative to buying additional panels to the benefit of the planet. This adaptability encourages creativity and reliability in nearby communities in addition to improving the efficiency of energy production. In order to guarantee peak performance and longevity, we continue to research and develop ways to incorporate sophisticated monitoring and control capabilities into our MPPT system.