Space Apps Challenge 2017

Features that will be built into the solar panel:

1. Time Based Solar Calculator(TBSC): This is at the core of what we are building. TBSC is a system/panel, that connects a solar panel straight to a battery(ies). It will serve as an inverter, charge controller and TBSC to 'de-complicate' the process of setting up a solar panel. TBSC uses the solar irradiance feature of a panel to calculate the amount of radiation that will be absorbed by the panel (based on weather conditions) and the TBSC breaks down the calculations to tell you how many seconds, minutes, hours, or days it will take to fully charge the battery using your solar panel.
2. Internet: TBSC will be connected to the internet from where it will gather real time data it will use in its analysis and predictions.
3. Solar irradiance: The solar irradiance that calculates the amount of radiation captured by the solar panel will be linked to the Time Based Solar Calculator (TBSC) which will be used to calculate ampere of energy generated
4. GPS: The GPS on the TBSC will be used to determine your location, which will in turn connect to the weather forecast API that will tell you the amount of energy (broken down in minutes) that the solar panel will be able to get into the battery based on the weather.
5. Reliable weather service API: TBSC will be able to tell you amount of energy your panel will be able to absorb on upcoming days of the week using the API of a 'reliable' weather forecasting service.
6. Database of wattage of appliances: TBSC will be connected to a portal that will have a database of the wattage of all major appliances. This means that someone can simply input the model of the appliance and TBSC will use this data to determine the wattage of the appliance, which it will use to 'tell a person' how many minutes/hours the appliance can be used when connected to a battery with a specified(the volt of battery being used will be the modifiable default) voltage, also factoring in the amount of charge left in the battery.. For example, someone will be able to input Samsung Eco Refrigerator M764 and TBSC will access the wattage of this refrigirator and tell you how many minutes the refrigerator will run based on energy absorbed by sunlight(under current condition) and remaining charge left in the battery. When an appliance is not in the database, energy details (i.e. wattage) can be manually inputted.

Also, an independent online portal for TBSC where solar energy can be understood using time as the end unit is also being considered.

We are still working on the algorithm used in breaking down the calculation to minutes. Will update as we approach project completion. Feel free to weigh in; remember that the goal is removing the bottleneck most people experience when trying to use and understand solar technology which contributes in slowing down its adoption.