Design of Solar Powered Charging Backpack

Jonas Taverne (Robert Gordon University)
Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki (Robert Gordon University)
Ahmad Syahir Ayub (University of Strathclyde)
Nazmi Sellami (Robert Gordon University)
Siti Hawa Abu-Bakar (Universiti Kuala Lumpur British Malaysian Institute)
Nurul Aini Bani (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)
Abdullahi Abubakar Mas’ud (Jubail Industrial College)
Draco Iyi (Robert Gordon University)

International Journal of Power Electronics and Drive Systems (IJPEDS)
Vol 9, No 2: June 2018

This paper demonstrated a step by step process in designing a solar powered charging backpack that is capable of charging a mobile phone efficiently. A selection of existing products available on the market were reviewed and compared to ascertain the cost, size, and output capabilities. Next, the solar cell types and regulators were compared and their respective merits were also investigated. The charging system was then designed and tested before being integrated with the backpack. The results clearly showed that the system managed to charge the mobile phone. However, it was found that the excessive power dissipation has caused the linear regulator to generate significant heat.