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UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE

Aside from being portable, a Solar-powered

Phone Charger is as efficient as the Wall

Phone Charger

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Contents

1) Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 3

2) Chapter I ...................................................................................................................... 5

3) Introduction ................................................................................................................. 5

a)

Background of the Problem .................................................................................... 5

b) Problem Statement .................................................................................................. 6

c) Hypothesis of the Study .......................................................................................... 6

d) Significance of the Study ........................................................................................ 7

e) Research Objectives ................................................................................................ 8

f) Scope and Limitations of the Study ........................................................................ 8

g) Definition of Terms ............................................................................................... 10

4) Chapter II .................................................................................................................. 11

5) Review of Related Literature ................................................................................... 11

a) The Conversion of energy from light into electricity ........................................... 11

b) Potential of Solar Energy ...................................................................................... 12

c) Computing for Efficiency ..................................................................................... 13

d) Analysis of the Related Literature and Related Studies ........................................ 14

6) CHAPTER III ........................................................................................................... 15

7) Methodology .............................................................................................................. 15

a) Kind of Research ................................................................................................... 15

b) Research Design .................................................................................................... 16

c) Efficiency Test ...................................................................................................... 17

d) Experimental setup ................................................................................................ 17

e) Measurement of the output currents and voltages for both chargers and tabulation

of results ................................................................................................................ 21


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f) Computation for the efficiency ............................................................................. 21

g) Calculation for the charging time ......................................................................... 22

h) Method of Analysis ............................................................................................... 23

8)

Chapter IV ................................................................................................................. 24

9) Research Findings ..................................................................................................... 24

a) Efficiency test ....................................................................................................... 24

b) Calculation for the time required for a 1220 mAh battery to completely charge . 28

10)Chapter V .................................................................................................................. 29

11)Summary, Conclusions, Discussion and Recommendations ................................. 29

a)

Summary ............................................................................................................... 29

b) Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................. 29

c) Restatement of Research Question ....................................................................... 29

d) Research Methodology ......................................................................................... 30

e) Results ................................................................................................................... 30

f) Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 31

g)

Discussions ........................................................................................................... 32

h) Recommendations ................................................................................................. 32

12)Bibliography .............................................................................................................. 34

a) Books .................................................................................................................... 34

b) Published Thesis ................................................................................................... 34

c) Electronic Sources ................................................................................................ 35


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Abstract

Aside from being portable, a Solar-powered Phone Charger is as efficient as the Wall

Phone Charger

Kirby Cabrillos, John Vingem Geaga,

Reg Vincent Natividad, Ryan Ceazar Santua

October, 2013

As worlds resources are diminishing, government agencies and non-government

organizations are pushing a greener solution through the use of renewable energy

sources. It was forecasted by some scientists such as Thomas Alva Edison that Solar

Energy will be the future energy source. However, it is still being studied on how to

improve the technologies used for utilizing solar energy. The solar panel for example,

laboratories throughout the world are chasing to develop the most efficient solar panel. At

present, the German-French research team holds the record for creating the 44.7 %

efficient solar panel. This means that their solar panel made of nitrogen and boron can

convert the 44.7 % of sunlight it receives into energy.

The portable solar phone charger is one of the devices that use light to charge a

phone. It is really portable that people on the road or on a camping can carry it into their

pocket and charge their phone where ever they want. However, it all boils down on how

fast the solar charger could transmit its charge and how efficient the charger is. A solar

charger can charge a phone anywhere but it should also be considered if it is as efficient


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as a wall charger. With this problem, an experiment was conducted to check if a solar

charger is as efficient as the wall charger. Efficiency test was conducted with the solar

charger and the wall charger. With the result obtained from the experiment, the solar

charger that has 69.33 % efficiency is close to the wall charger that has 71.85 %

efficiency. The result indicates a positive response and researchers conclude that solar

charger is indeed efficient as the wall charger. Also, the time for a 1220 mAh battery to

be fully charged using both chargers was calculated. The result indicates that it takes 2

hours and 40 minutes to charge the battery much longer compared with the 2 hour time

recorded for the wall charger.

The experiment shows that the world is now a bit closer to the perfection of solar

technology. Further studies on solar technology would help for the study on renewable

energy.


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Chapter I

Introduction

This chapter presents the background of the problem, problem statement, and

hypothesis, significance of the study, and the scope and limitations of the study.

Background of the Problem

Mobile phones are currently the most popular form of wireless communication in

almost all the countries throughout the world. According to the estimation of the

International Telecommunication Union, there are over 6.8 billion cellphone users around

the world and the number is growing fast as technology gets better and cost of production

lowers.

However, the average lifetime of a cellphone battery according to G. Chiang and

S. Bajaj (2011) is only around 8-12 hours with moderate usage. This becomes very

inconvenient for people especially on the road or occupied with work. People must bring

a wall phone charger and look for a power source in order to charge. Meanwhile, the

portable solar-powered phone charger is a device that uses light rays of a minimum

amount as the energy source to charge a phone. Cellphones are then charged without

plugging into a power source.

One of the advantages of using a solar-powered phone charger is its portability.

The size and weight of the charger make it fit into anyones pocket. However, the


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worthiness of a solar charger boils down to how quickly it transmits a charge, and how

much power it gives off to the phone or how efficient the solar charger is.

The Websters dictionary defines efficiency as the quality or degree of being

efficient. Technically, efficiency refers to as the ratio of useful energy delivered by a

dynamic system to the energy supplied to it. Efficiency is simply derived by the total

output over the total input.

Problem Statement

This research deals with the examination of the efficiencies of both solar-powered

phone charger and the wall phone charger. Specifically, the study should able to answer

the question if a portable solar-powered phone charger is as efficient as the wall phone

charger.

Hypothesis of the Study

Solar-powered phone charger is as efficient as the wall phone charger. With a

very little marginal difference of about 5%, the study will prove the researchers

hypothesis that a solar charger is as efficient as a wall phone charger.


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Significance of the Study

Id put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope

we dont have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that (Thomas Alva

Edison, 1931).

The oil embargo of the 1970s prompted a national surge of interest in solar

energy. A solar water heater was installed in the White House, and photovoltaic panels

first came into play, notably in California. While previously solar power as a direct

source of electricity had been limited to esoteric functions, such as in spacecraft,

companies began to form with the idea of using solar as a regular source of power for

ordinary homes (E. Goffman, 2008).

Theoretically, solar might seem an ideal energy source, as it is free and virtually

limitless. According to Greenpeace, The solar radiation reaching the earths surface in

one year provides more than 10,000 times the worlds yearly energy needs. Furthermore,

harnessing just one-quarter of the solar energy that falls on the world's paved areas could

meet all current global energy needs comfortably (Flavin).

A recent study conducted by the United States National Renewable Energy

Laboratory (NREL) shows that the annual average solar energy power in the Philippines

is around 4.5 to 5.5 kWh per square meter per day and the Asia has the minimum solar

energy technical potential of 0.18 terawatts and a maximum of 6.56 terawatts annually.

Results are much higher compared to Europe which has only 0.24 of maximum energy

potential. The North Africa has the highest potential of 17.55 terawatts and followed by

the Sub-Sarahan Africa with 15.12 terawatts.


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Studying about solar technology would be very essential for the worlds

nonrenewable energy resources are already diminishing. The future of this technology

relies on such studies that involve reviewing the present solar technologies.

Examining if a single solar charger could charge a cellphone efficiently as the

wall phone charger, would determine on which areas on solar technology have to

improve.

Research Objectives

This study aims to examine the efficiencies of a solar charger and a wall phone

charger and be able to analyze the results and conclude that a solar charger is as efficient

as a wall charger.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study mainly focuses on examining the efficiencies of both solar charger and

a wall charger to conclude that the solar charger is as efficient as wall phone charger.

This study also involves the computation for the complete charging time of a

1220 mAh Li-ion battery using both of the chargers. The results may not be applied to all

solar devices since the study only covers a single solar charger and wall phone charger

for testing.

This study would have been more comprehensive, meaningful, and far-reaching if

it covered more solar devices which should have provided the much detailed basis for


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comparison. This, however, would mean more time, money and resources which

researchers didnt have.


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Definition of Terms

Amperes unit of current, milli-Amperes Amperes over 1x10^-3 (mA)

Complete charging time- the time required for a battery to be fully charged

Current rate of flow of electric charge, can be calculated by voltage divided by the

resistance.

Efficiency- The quality or degree of being efficient. In this research, it is referred to as

the relationship of voltage and current by output power. It is given as the output power

divided by the input power.

Kilowatt hour (kWh)- a unit of work or energy equal to that expended by one kilowatt

in one hour.

mAh- milli Amperes-hour. Battery rating.

Photovoltaic (PV) cells semiconductor material such as silicon that generates voltage

when light strikes at it.

Power- needed to turn on a mechanical or electrical device.

Power (solar input) -product of voltage and current coming in of the circuit.

Power (solar output) -product of voltage and current coming out of the solar cell.

Voltage- Electric potential or potential difference expressed in volts.


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Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

This chapter presents a synthesis of facts that supports the following topics: The

conversion of energy from light into electricity; the solar energy potential; mathematical

approach in determining efficiency; and calculating the time for a battery to be

completely charged.

The Conversion of energy from light into electricity

Figure 2.1: The Conversion of light energy to electrical energy flowchart.

Just as Law of Conservation of Energy states that Energy cannot be created nor

destroyed but can only be transformed from one form to another. This is where the idea

of solar energy came from, to transform the suns raging light into lifelong, unharmful,

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and sustainable energy source for the human beings. An online journal, HowStuffWorks

explained the process on how sunlight is converted into electrical energy. Light basically

from the sun is absorbed by the Photovoltaic (PV) cells (made of semiconductor material

like silicon) or commonly known as solar cells, and directly converts into electricity.

When light strikes the semiconductor material, a certain amount is absorbed

which means energy from the source is transferred into the material and magnetic field

causes electrons to flow in a certain direction that now produces the current. The power

generated by the PV cells flow through a circuit design to charge the battery.

Potential of Solar Energy

A famous online magazine Live Science (2012) stated that the sun is the power of

the future in the 21stcentury. In the past, harnessing solar energy was an expensive option

for many to invest in and bank on solar energy for the provision of their energy needs.

However, advancements in technology made solar energy available with much lower cost

and improved efficiency.

Now with further study and understanding, solar energy can become the main

source of energy for all. Think Solar Energy, an online database stated that the solar

energy is the future source of our energy source and continuous improvement is a must.

The market share of solar energy is still low. Current electricity generation from PVs is

only of the order of 2.6GW compared to 36.3GW for all renewable energies,

hydroelectric power excluded. Developed countries are steadily increasing their

investments in solar power plants, and IEA projections for 2030 give an enhancement of


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solar electricity generation up to 13.6GW (80% of which will be from photovoltaic cells,

and the rest (2.4GW) from solar thermal plants). However, this amount will not exceed

6% of the total electricity production from non-hydro renewable energies. It is worth

noting that passive solar technologies for water heating, not included in these statistics,

represent a fairly large amount of power. IEA estimates a power production of 5.3GW in

2002 and an increase up to 46GW by 2030.

Computing for Efficiency

Power as defined by the Websters dictionary is the time rate at which work is

done or energy emitted or transferred. In science, power can be calculated in various

ways. Power can be calculated in terms of resistance and current, it is the square of the

current multiplied by the resistance (P = I2R). Power can also be calculated in terms of

current and voltage, it is simply the product of the current and the voltage (P = IV).

In all sciences, efficiency is defined as output over input. The efficiency of an

engine for example is the ratio of the output work or energy to the input work or energy.

By this, efficiency could be plotted in an equation as:!"#$"#!"#$%

!"#$%!"#$%or

!"

!". Each battery

has a rating. This rating refers for how much a particular battery can hold charges. An

iPhone 3gs battery for example has 1220 mAh. Computing the time to completely charge

a battery is given by the formula, hours =!"##$%&!"#$%&

!"#$%#&"&'!"##!"#. Continuous current refers to

as the current running in a single direction of the battery.

A recent study about the power generated from the transformer-rectifier circuit

was published by an online journal, righto.com (2012). Based on their study, the average

power output of the transformer-rectifier circuit is around 6.5 Watts.


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Analysis of the Related Literature and Related Studies

The related literature and related studies cited contains information relevant to the

experiment. Scientific ideas and results are presented in order to provide mathematical

approach for determining the efficiency of any device.

After a thorough review of the related literature and studies, it was found out that

there are several studies about the energy efficiency of different types of cellphone

chargers. They were however focused on the energy loses when the cellphone is not

connected in the charger but the charger is still connected in the power source.


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CHAPTER III

Methodology

This chapter presents the kind of research and research design used for the study

as well as the procedures of the experiment. The procedure used in this study was based

on the study conducted by Porter, et al (2008) regarding the Energy Efficiency Battery

Charger System Test Procedure that was commissioned by the Pacific Gas and Electric,

California Energy Commission-Public Interest Energy Research Program, and Southern

California Edison.

Kind of Research

The kind of research used in determining whether a portable solar-powered phone

charger is as efficient as a wall phone charger was experimental research.

Experimental research is a design in which an investigator manipulates and

controls one or more independent variable or more variables for variation concomitant to

the manipulation of the independent variables (Kerlinger, 1986). Experimental research

has been considered by Travers (1978) as the most prestigious method of advancing

scientific knowledge.

V. Ardales (1992) stated that the ideal true experiment study is the best done in

a laboratory setting where the researchers have full control in manipulating study

variables and ruling out confounding ones.


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In this research, the independent variable was the input power of both solar

charger and wall phone charger since it was on their specification to deliver such amount

of power. And the dependent variable was the efficiencies of the solar charger and the

wall phone charger. While the extraneous variables were the time which the experiment

was conducted, the type of the weather on the date of testing, the type of solar panel used,

and also the number of trials conducted.

Research Design

The research was divided into two parts, the efficiency test and the calculation for

the time in which batteries will be completely charged. In efficiency test, currents and

voltages were measured for the output side of the chargers. The test for the solar charger

was conducted with a direct sunlight and with a shade to compare the output power.

The test for solar charger was conducted in four trials with an interval of one hour

starting at 11 oclock in the morning. The test for the wall charger was also conducted at

the same time. The test was replicated four times to determine its average power.

The calculation for the time in which the battery will be completely charged was

done after completing the efficiency test. With the given formula, hours

=!"##$%&!"#$%&

!"#$%#&"&'!"##$%&, the time can now be drawn by the quotient of the battery rating over

the continuous current.


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Efficiency Test

Experimental setup

Figure 3.1: all materials were prepared for testing.

All materials for testing were prepared such as the multi-tester, pen and paper for

recording, one kilo ohm resistor, the two chargers, and a 1220 mAh battery. For the solar

charger, a new ROHS P2600TM

solar charger was used for the experiment. The solar

charger was tested without more than 5 times of regular use. Meanwhile, an original box-

type iPhone charger was used as the wall phone charger. The wall charger was connected

to a 220V power source.


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With the following specifications provided by the manufacturers, the input power

for both chargers was considered as the independent variable. For the solar charger, the

input power was at six Watts and for the wall phone charger; the input power was at 6.5

Watts. The dependent variable was the calculated efficiencies for both chargers. While

the extraneous variables were the time and the weather during testing, the type of solar

panel used for the solar charger, and the number of trials conducted.

Figure 3.2: experimental setup for measuring output current and voltage of the solar charger underindirect sunlight.


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Figure 3.3: experimental setup for measuring output current and voltage of the solar charger under

direct sunlight.


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There were two setups for testing the solar charger. The first setup was placing

the charger in an open but shaded area. Sunlight does not strike directly to the solar panel

of the charger. While for the second setup, the charger was placed in an area that sunlight

hits directly the solar panel of the charger. These two setups were done consecutively

with a one-hour interval. At exactly 11am, the first set of measurement was conducted,

and the second set was done after one hour that was 12 noon. This process was repeated

until it reached the fourth set measurement that was 2 pm. The output current and voltage

were measured with the following conditions: (a) at 11am with indirect sunlight (b) at

direct sunlight, (c) at 12 noon with indirect sunlight, (d) with direct sunlight, (e) at 1 pm

with indirect sunlight, (f) with direct sunlight, (g) at 2 pm with indirect sunlight, (h) with

direct sunlight. The results were then recorded for calculation.

Meanwhile for the wall charger, current and voltage were measured

simultaneously with the set of measurements for the solar charger. The following flow

were done in measuring for the output current and voltage of the wall charger, (a) at 11

am, (b) at 12 noon, (c) at 1 pm, (d) at 2 pm.

For calculating the time of complete charging under indirect sunlight, the 1220

mAh battery was connected in series with the one kilo ohm resistor, multi-tester

(ammeter function), and the charger. The resistor doesnt affect in the measurement since

it is connected in series. Whatever current is flowing in the connection is the same when

connecting any value of the resistor. During charging, current flowing was measured

through the multi-tester connected. The same setup was used for the solar charger under

direct sunlight and the wall charger.


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Measurement of the output currents and voltages for both chargers and tabulation

of results

At 11 am, the output current and voltage were measured and recorded for the

solar charger under the shaded area, after the measurement, the charger was then brought

directly into sunlight and again, current and voltage were measured and recorded. After

the measurements for the solar charger, the next step was measuring for the wall charger.

Output current and voltage were measured through the output terminals of the charger.

The readings were then recorded for calculation. The process described above was

repeated every one hour for four trials which means, researchers repeated this step at 12

noon, 1 pm, and 2 pm.

The 1200 mAh battery was then charged using both chargers. The terminals of the

battery were connected in series with the one kilo ohm resistor, multi-tester, and the

charger. The current flowing in the connection was measured and recorded for both

chargers.

Computation for the efficiency

A simple calculation was performed to determine the efficiency of both chargers.

The current measured for the solar charger in the first trial (meaning at 11 am) under the

shaded area, was multiplied to the voltage recorded for the solar charger also in the first

trial under the shaded area. Their product was then labeled as the output power of the

solar charger under the shade for the first trial. The same procedure was used for

determining the output power under direct sunlight. Current obtained from the second


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trial was multiplied to the voltage of the second trial. The procedure was repeated until

the fourth trial. For the shaded area, all power calculated were added together and was

divided by four to get the average power. The same procedure was used in getting

average power under the direct sunlight. The same procedure above was used for

determining the average output of the wall charger.

The calculated power under the shade was divided by the input power of the solar

charger that was six Watts. This is now the efficiency of the solar charger that was

exposed to indirect sunlight. The calculated power for the direct sunlight was also divided

by the input power of the solar charger and was labeled as the efficiency of the solar

charger at direct sunlight. The average output power of the wall charger was divided by

the input power of the wall charger that was 6.5 Watts. The result was then labeled as the

efficiency of the wall charger. All efficiencies calculated were multiplied by 100 to

obtain the efficiency percentage of each device.

With the experiment conducted, researchers obtained the following results that

were used for analysis: (a) efficiency percentage of the solar charger that was placed to

indirect sunlight, (b) efficiency percentage of the solar charger that was placed into direct

sunlight, and (c) efficiency percentage of the wall charger.

Calculation for the charging time

The battery was connected in series with the multi-tester (ammeter function),

1kilo ohm resistor and the charger to identify what current was flowing through the

circuit and the result was labeled as the continuous current. After completing the


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procedures in measuring the current flow, researchers obtained the following results: (a)

current flowing through the solar charger under indirect sunlight, (b) current flowing

through the solar charger under direct sunlight, and (c) current flowing through the wall

charger. The continuous current divided the battery rating and the result was the time for

the battery to be completely charged.

Method of Analysis

All gathered information was recorded and presented in both tabular and

graphical form. The results from each test were then reviewed for any error in

calculations.

The efficiency of the solar charger under indirect sunlight was compared with the

ones that was placed under direct sunlight.

The efficiency percentage of the wall phone charger was multiplied by 0.05

(based from the 5% difference hypothesis of the researchers) to get the magnitude of the

range. The success of the hypothesis as well as the study relies on this result. If the

absolute value of their difference fits on the range, the study is therefore successful.


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Chapter IV

Research Findings

This chapter presents the data gathered from the efficiency test and the calculation

for the time required for a 1220 mAh Li-ion battery as well as the analysis of the results

and the analysis and interpretation of data.

The main purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency of both chargers

and prove that solar charger is as efficient as the wall charger.

A very simple experiment was conducted by the researchers. They used a battery

with a rating of 1220 mAh as the unit for calculating the time required to charge

completely.

Efficiency test

With the procedure to measure currents and voltages described in the third chapter

of this study, following results were obtained.


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Input (independent) Output

Solar charger

Direct/Indirect

Trial Current (mA)Voltage

(V)Current (mA) Voltage (V)

1 1000 6 765/753 5.5/5.4

2 1000 6 767/750 5.3/5.3

3 1000 6 767/756 5.5/5.3

4 1000 6 764/750 5.4/5.3

Ave. 1000 6 765.75/752.25 5.43/5.33

Wall charger

1

NA

953 4.8

2 960 4.9

3 957 4.9

4 958 4.9

Ave. NA NA 957 4.88

Table 4.1: Summary of measured currents and voltages (Note: the interval for each trial is in 1hour)

Table 4.1 shows the summary of the measured currents and voltages for both the

solar charger and the wall charger. Since the input power for a wall charger was already

given at 6.5 Watts, its current and voltage values were not needed anymore. The input

current for the solar charger was 1 Ampere and its input voltage was 6 Volts which gives

six Watts as input power. The output current of the solar charger under indirect light is

smaller than the output current of the solar charger under direct light. With the average of

765.75 mA, solar charger under direct light gives off a larger current than the solar

charger under indirect light that just only gives an average of 752.25 mA. Also, the

output voltage for the solar charger placed directly into sunlight has a higher value with

5.43 V compared with the solar charger under indirect sunlight that just only has 5.33 V

value.

The wall charger has a high output current of 957 mA but a low output voltage of

only 4.88 V.


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Calculating for the power and the efficiency of both devices, these data were

gathered:

Input Power

(Pi=IiVi)

Output Power

(Po=IoVo)

% Efficiency

(Po/Pi)x100

Solar

Charger

(D/I)

6 Watts 4.16 / 4.01 Watts 69.33 / 67 %

Wall Phone

Charger6.5 Watts 4.67 Watts 71.85 %

Table 4.2: Calculated Input and Output power, and percentage Efficiency

Table 4.2 shows the calculated input and output powers for both devices. The

efficiency was also derived with the calculated output and input power.

The average output power for the solar charger under direct sunlight was 4.16

Watts, and the output power of the solar charger under indirect sunlight was 4.01 Watts.

While the output power of the wall charger was 4.67 Watts. The Output power of the wall

charger was a bit higher compared to the solar charger. However, the input powers of

both devices were not the same. Solar chargers input power was given by 6 Watts

meanwhile the wall charger has 6.5 Watts. Calculating for their efficiency, the solar

charger under direct sunlight provided the value of 69.33 % and for the charger under

indirect sunlight was 67 %. This means that the solar charger under direct sunlight uses

only 69 percent of its input power. The percentage efficiency obtained from calculating

from the wall chargers input current and voltage was 71.85 %. The efficiency of the wall

charger is a bit higher compared to the solar charger.


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Figure 4.1 Efficiency of the solar charger (blue) and the wall charger (orange)

Figure 4.1 shows the linear relationship between the output and the input power of

a solar charger and wall charger. The 5 % difference can be calculated by taking the 5%

of the wall charger efficiency or by simply multiplying 0.05 to the 71.85 % which would

yield a difference of 3.59. Subtracting the difference from the wall chargers efficiency

would give the minimum range of the 5% difference that is 68.26. Meanwhile, by adding

the difference to the efficiency would give the maximum range of 75.44. Now that the

range at which the researchers assumed to conclude that solar charger is as efficient as

the wall charger is 68.26 % to 75.44 %. Efficiencies that fall under this range are

considered as efficient as the wall charger.

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Calculation for the time required for a 1220 mAh battery to completely charge

Charger used Continuous current Battery rating Complete Charging Time

Solar Charger

(D/I)458 / 430mA

1220 mAh

2 hrs., 40 min /

2 hrs., 50 min

Wall Charger 615 mA 2 hrs.

Table 4.3: Summary of calculated complete charging time

The current flowing through the terminals of the battery and the solar charger

under direct sunlight was measured and the result was 458 mA and solar charger under

indirect sunlight was 430 mA. The result for calculating the time was 2.66 hours or 2

hours and 40 minutes, and 2 hours and 50 minutes respectively.

While the current flowing through the battery and the wall charger in series

connection was recorded at 615 mA. There, the time required for the battery to

completely charge using the wall charger is 1.98 hours or about 2 hours.

Charging a battery using a solar charger takes longer than using a wall charger.


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Chapter V

Summary, Conclusions, Discussion and Recommendations

This chapter presents the summary of the study. Included in this summary are a

review of the purpose of the study, a restatement of the research question, the research

methodology used, and a summary of the study results, conclusions and discussion.

Recommendations for further research and possible studies conclude this chapter.

Summary

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study was to examine the efficiency of a solar-powered

mobile phone charger and prove that it is as efficient as the wall phone charger.

Restatement of Research Question

The research questions for this study were: (1) what is the efficiency of a solar-

powered mobile phone charger and a wall phone charger? (2) What is the time required

to completely charge a 1220 mAh battery using both chargers , and (3) is solar-powered

mobile phone charger efficient as the wall phone charger?


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Research Methodology

There were two experiments conducted for this research. First, the efficiency test

which was testing the solar charger and recording the output current. Multiplying the

output current and output voltage provided the output power. And the input power was

given by the charger specifications. Dividing the output power over the input power

provided the value for efficiency. Multiplying the quotient by 100 provided the

percentage efficiency of the product. Using the same procedure above, the efficiency of

the wall charger was measured. The ideal efficiency of the charger was 100 percent.

An ideal charger refers to a charger which doesnt have power losses due to some

factors like heat and power absorbed by each components of the charger. An ideal

charger is not yet available today since all components of a charger is working, and work

requires energy, the energy is then the reason why it is impossible for now to achieve a

hundred percent efficiency for a device.

Results

The calculated efficiency of the solar-powered phone charger under direct

sunlight was about 69 percent, for the solar charger under indirect sunlight was at 67

percent, and the wall charger efficiency was at 71.85 percent. The time required for a

battery to fully charge a 1220 mAh using a solar charger under direct sunlight is 2 hours

and 40 minutes; using solar charger under indirect sunlight is 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Meanwhile for the wall charger, it takes about only 2 hours.


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Conclusions

The findings of this research indicate a positive response that solar-powered

charger is as efficient as a wall charger. The calculated efficiency of the solar charger

falls within the range which was assumed by the researchers to be 5%. With 69 % of

efficiency, solar charger is within the range of 68.26 % to 75.44 %. With this, the

portable solar-powered phone charger is indeed as efficient as the wall phone charger.

However, efficiency of the solar charger under indirect sunlight didnt fit into the

range. It means that the more sunlight, the more power it could give. Solar chargers are

dependent to the amount of sunlight they absorb. The more sunlight makes them to give

off more power and less sunlight makes them to give off less power.

The power generated by solar charger is 4.16 Watts and it can completely charge

a 1220 mAh battery for 2 hours and 40 minutes. While the use of the wall charger takes

only 2hours to charge the same battery.

With much higher efficiency than the solar charger, wall charger is still efficient

than the solar charger. However, the efficiency of the solar charger is not that really far

with the wall charger. They have a difference of 2.52 percent that can still be improved.

With these conclusions, the researchers are now able to conclude for the problem

of this study that a portable solar-powered phone charger is as efficient as the wall phone

charger.


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Discussions

These findings indicate the wall charger has a higher efficiency and it takes a

shorter time to charge a battery. However, it still indicates a positive result. Not all

energy are transferred but dissipated to other forms like heat.

There may be several reasons why the efficiency is not that high aside from the

power losses. The type of solar cells was not that really new and it may have also low

efficiency (referring to the power absorbed from the sun).

The area of the solar panel also matters. The wider the solar panel, more light can

be absorbed. However, using wider solar panel breaks the portability of a solar charger.

This is why research on more efficient solar panel is really important. Improved

efficiency would mean that solar devices can perform as what electrical devices do.

Recommendations

After obtaining the results discussed above that answer to the problems presented

in determining if the solar charger is as efficient as the wall charger, the researchers have

arrived at the following recommendations to further improve the study:

1. The study has focused only on the efficiency of a single solar charger. In lined

with this, researchers highly recommend using other varieties of solar chargers as

well as considering some other factors like the amount of light present during the

experiment. It is recommended to use light that their output light can be controlled

such as varieties of lamps.

2. If the future researchers may come into the probability of making efficient

chargers, researchers recommend using highly efficient solar panels and design a


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stable circuit with lesser but effective components. Using more electronic

components means that energy is not delivered well since components absorb it to

use for their own purpose.

3. Moreover, future researchers are recommended to use varying amount of light to

consider the effects of brightness in charging.

4. Lastly, for future studies, it is recommended to use brand new products and much

newer materials. It is also recommended to focus more on the possibilities of

utilizing the solar energy as future energy sources for any electrical devices.


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Bibliography

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Bonner, J. (2012),Portable Solar Panel Charging Station,p.31.

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Green, M. A., Emery, K., Hishikawa, Y., Warta, W. (2011), Solar Cell Efficiency Tables,

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