KOFORIDUA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SOLAR CHARGING BOOTH

BY

OSABUTEY ABEDNEGO NUERTEY 04/2020/2514D

CHRISTOPHER SITSOFE AYIDZOE 04/2020/2466D

EBENEZER SOTI 04/2020/2409D

THIS PROJECT IS PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT

FOR THE AWARD OF A HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING.

OCTOBER, 2023
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this research is the result of our own original research and that no part of it
has been presented for another certificate in this Institution or elsewhere. All consulted works
have been duly acknowledged and referenced.

OSABUTEY ABEDNEGO NUERTEY:………………………. ……………………..

(04/2020/2514D) Signature Date

CHRISTOPHER SITSOFE AYIDZOE:……………………….. ………………………

(04/2020/2466D) Signature Date

EBENEZER SOTI: ……………………….. .

………………………

(04/2020/2409D) Signature Date

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 SUPERVISOR’S CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that this project work was supervised in accordance with the university's
guidelines for supervision of project works.

Certified By:

DR. SHADDRACK YAW NUSENU: ………………………

…………………………
(Supervisor) Signature Date

DR. SHADDRACK YAW NUSENU: ……………………..

…………………………

(Head of Department) Signature Date

ii
 DEDICATION

We dedicate this piece of work to our parents and guardians for their undoubted involvement in
our educational life. We also appreciate the effort they made to support us through the course of
our study.

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 ACKNOLEDEMENT

We thank the Almighty God for keeping us all alive from the beginning to the end of our
educational journey. We thank the head of department Dr. Shaddrack Yaw Nusenu for his good
work to the department. Our sincere gratitude to him being our supervisor for his guidance in
achieving this success.

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 ABSTRACT

The development of a solar charging booth is a sustainable and creative response to the
expanding demand for clean and easily accessible energy sources in public areas. With the use
of solar energy, this project intends to build a flexible and environmentally responsible structure
that offers a practical method for charging electronic devices while minimising its negative
effects on the environment and fostering energy efficiency.

The Solar Charging Booth has a sturdy framework with solar panels mounted on its roof that
enable it to collect sunlight and transform it into electrical energy. High-capacity batteries are
used to store the energy produced, ensuring a steady and dependable power source even on
overcast or nocturnal days. The booth has an intuitive user interface for charging choices,
including USB ports.

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 Table of Contents

DECLARATION..............................................................................................................................

SUPERVISOR’S CERTIFICATION..............................................................................................

DEDICATION................................................................................................................................

ACKNOLEDEMENT.....................................................................................................................

ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................

CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................

1.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................................

1.1 Problem Statement........................................................................................................

1.2 Aim of Study.................................................................................................................

1.2.1 Objectives..................................................................................................................

1.3 Research Methodology..................................................................................................

1.4 Project Contribution......................................................................................................

1.5 Significance of the study...............................................................................................

1.6 Scope and limitation of the study..................................................................................

1.7 Methods to Be Used......................................................................................................

1.8 Expected outcome/results..............................................................................................

1.9 Organization of the project............................................................................................

CHAPTER TWO.............................................................................................................................

LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................................................

2.0 Introduction...................................................................................................................

2.1 Reviewed Work One.....................................................................................................

2.1.1 Limitation..................................................................................................................

2.2 Reviewed Work Two.....................................................................................................

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 2.2.1 Limitation..................................................................................................................

2.3 Reviewed Work Three.................................................................................................

2.3.1 Limitation................................................................................................................

CHAPTER THREE.......................................................................................................................

METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................................

3.0 Introduction.................................................................................................................

3.1 Requirements and the Design Concept.......................................................................

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

The design and construction of solar charging booths represent a remarkable fusion of
sustainability and technological innovation in the realm of renewable energy [1]. These
innovative structures harness the power of the sun to provide clean and accessible charging
solutions for a wide range of electronic devices, from smartphones and tablets to electric bicycles
and vehicles. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and the
need for more environmentally friendly energy sources, solar charging booths have emerged as a
promising solution that not only reduces carbon emissions but also promotes energy
independence and resilience [2].

Solar charging booths are ingeniously crafted structures that incorporate photovoltaic panels to
capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. The design phase of these booths involves a
meticulous approach to maximizing energy capture efficiency, optimizing the booth's
orientation, and ensuring durability to withstand various environmental conditions [3].
Construction, on the other hand, requires precision in integrating solar panels, energy storage
systems, and charging infrastructure seamlessly, while also considering aesthetics and
functionality. These solar charging booths not only serve as practical and sustainable charging
stations but also serve as iconic symbols of our commitment to a greener and more
technologically advanced future. In this exploration of the design and construction of solar
charging booths, we delve into the key aspects, benefits, and challenges associated with this
innovative and eco-friendly infrastructure.

1.1 Problem Statement

The design and construction of solar charging booths present a multifaceted challenge that
encompasses both sustainability and functionality. The problem lies in creating a cost-effective
and aesthetically pleasing booth design that optimally captures solar energy to meet the diverse
charging needs of electronic devices, while also ensuring durability and resilience in varying
environmental conditions. Balancing the integration of photovoltaic panels, energy storage
systems, and charging infrastructure within limited space poses a technical conundrum [4].

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Additionally, the challenge extends to addressing the compatibility of charging standards and
adapting to evolving technologies. Finally, the problem statement includes the need to assess the
economic viability of these solar charging booths and their scalability for widespread adoption in
urban and remote areas alike.

1.2 Aim of Study

The aim of this project is to design and construct a working solar powered multiple cell phones
charging booth to charge a number of cell phones simultaneously.

1.2.1 Objectives

The objectives are as follows:

i To design a working solar charge circuit for the project.

ii To arrange and solder the component according to the design circuit.
iii To connect the solar charger circuit with the solar panel.
iv To construct a well packaged housing for the project.
v To test and evaluate the performance of the developed device.

1.3 Research Methodology

Given the current energy crisis and increasing need for sustainable energy. I endeavor to create a
cost effective, small scale electrical generator which could be used to power consumer
electronics. Solar energy has proven its worth as an alternative energy source because it is low-
impact and emission free. It has been implemented with much success for power grids with
hundreds of acres of enormous solar concentrations. In the small-scale, solar energy has been
harvested through the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels and have been used to power anything
from an iPod to a residential home. Although PV systems are considered part of the green energy
revolution, materials utilized for it construction (like silicon) are extremely dangerous to the
environment and much care must be taken to ensure that they are recycled properly. PV cells

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also only utilize the energy stored in specific wavelengths of light and therefore have an
approximate efficiency between 14-19%. Sunlight, however, produces immense amounts of heat
which only serves to heat up the surface of the solar cell. Although there are some PV cells that
have reached efficiency levels over 40% (world record is 41.6%), they are enormously complex
and expensive. Cell phones have become an extremely popular device in the entire world and it
is easy to say they are part of our daily lives. In the year 2010 there was an estimate of over 4.6
billion cell phones worldwide and the number has been growing by more than a billion ever
since; this translates to more than half the world’s population. Both the developed and the
developing world countries are buying more cell phones, but it is in developing countries where
the cell phone growth stays the strongest [3]. However, cell phones need electric sources to
charge their batteries in order to work, but there are people in developing and third world
countries that find it hard to access electric sources. For example, one resident of a village in
Tanzania describes how he takes all seven of the village‘s mobiles down to a nearby town with
electricity to charge all seven mobiles. Obviously, this is quite different than what we see in the
United States or other developed countries. Their inability to access a centralized power grid is
due to either or the combinations of two things; the cost of constructing transmission lines to
their homes, or the inability to construct transmission lines due to their location. In an attempt to
provide an alternative means of charging to those unfortunate areas in third world and
developing countries, a solar powered multiple cellphones charging booth is to be designed and
constructed in this project. However, the focus of this project is specifically to design and
construct a multiple cell phones charger powered by solar energy. Solar power is the practical
add-on to the existing sources of energy. It effectively supplements the current sources of
energy. With intelligent designs, the solar cells can be integrated into the final consumer
Qelectronic or portable devices. This reduces the dependence of recharging these with the
electricity, thus making this ideal choice for the locations where electricity may not be actually
available. The solar panels are costly today but their costs are coming down to affordable levels.
Also many a times the government aids are available especially for the remote areas. With the
solar panels being available in various form factors, a range of consumer electronic devices
making use of the solar panels are making entry into the market place and it is expected that this
trend would continue in the future. As of now there are speakers, earphones, calculators and
other small power consuming devices already available. The trend is to integrate the solar power

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in the small form factor that enhances the battery life and acts as an additional source of energy
to supplement the battery power from other sources. As the efficiency of the solar panels and
conversion would become better, a lesser area would be able to generate more energy and
eventually the solar charging may become the sole energy source in many consumer devices.

1.4 Project Contribution

The design and construction of solar charging booths make a substantial contribution by
seamlessly blending sustainability, accessibility, and technological advancement. These
innovative structures harness solar energy, reducing carbon emissions and promoting energy
independence. They enhance urban landscapes, serving as eco-friendly charging hubs for a wide
range of electronic devices, thereby addressing the growing demand for clean energy in both
urban and remote areas. Furthermore, solar charging booths symbolize our commitment to a
greener future, fostering awareness and education about renewable energy while offering
economic opportunities and resilience in the face of energy challenges [13]. From the above-
related works, this project aims at constructing a system that mitigate all the limitations or
drawbacks stated above.

1.5 Significance of the study

The design and construction of solar charging booths hold immense significance in addressing
critical global challenges. These booths represent a sustainable and renewable energy solution
that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate the strain on conventional energy grids, and
promote energy independence [5]-[6]. Furthermore, they provide a tangible and accessible means
for individuals to charge their electronic devices, particularly in remote or underserved areas
where access to electricity is limited. As we transition towards a more environmentally
conscious future, solar charging booths symbolize our commitment to clean energy, sustainable
infrastructure, and technological innovation, offering a powerful tool to combat climate change,
enhance energy resilience, and improve the quality of life for people across the globe[7].

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1.6 Scope and limitation of the study

The scope of the design and construction of solar charging booths is vast and promising. It
encompasses the development of innovative, environmentally friendly infrastructure that can
cater to the growing demand for clean energy and mobile device charging in various settings,
including urban centers, public spaces, and off-grid areas. Additionally, it offers opportunities
for research and development, job creation, and sustainable business ventures. However, there
are limitations to consider, such as the initial high costs associated with construction and
installation, as well as the challenges related to the efficient use of space and the need for
ongoing maintenance. Moreover, the effectiveness of solar charging booths is contingent on
factors like weather conditions and sunlight availability, which can impact their reliability as a
primary energy source in some regions. Balancing these opportunities and constraints is essential
for the successful deployment and adoption of solar charging booths on a larger scale [8].

1.7 Methods to Be Used

To ease the construction procedures, the circuitry will be simulated with proteus. A prototype for
the building will be placed on a Vero board in the end. After the construction is finished, a
comprehensive test and evaluation of the component connection will be analyzed.

1.8 Expected outcome/results

Certainly, here are some expected outcomes for the solar charging booth designed to charge five
phones simultaneously:
i Efficient Charging Capacity: The solar charging booth is expected to efficiently charge up
to five phones simultaneously, providing a reliable and rapid charging experience for users.
This outcome ensures that the booth meets the primary goal of serving multiple users at
once.
ii Sustainability and Clean Energy: The booth should harness solar power effectively,
reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources and minimizing its carbon footprint.
This outcome aligns with sustainability goals and contributes to a cleaner environment.

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iii User Convenience and Accessibility: Users should find the booth user-friendly, with easily
accessible charging ports and a straightforward interface. This outcome ensures a positive
user experience, encouraging more people to use the booth.
iv Reliability and Durability: The solar charging booth is expected to be reliable and durable,
capable of withstanding various weather conditions and providing uninterrupted charging
services. This outcome enhances the booth's longevity and minimizes maintenance needs,
making it a dependable infrastructure asset.

1.9 Organization of the project

This project is organized in five chapters as follows:

i Chapter One: discusses the introduction, background and aim of the project.
ii Chapter Two: is about the literature review.
iii Chapter Three: provides clear details about the hardware and software components used in
the whole design and development of system under study.
iv Chapter Four: design and simulation of solar booth system.
v Chapter Five: is conclusion and future work.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

This part audits related documents on how some design and construction of solar charging
booth as well as their capabilities and limitations they may have. Moreover, some benefits they
have bound to helping solve the problem the research is based on.
It also layout the review of theories which are to be implemented to give out the required and
desired results. The motivation behind this section is to layout experience with old and current
methods; layout a connection between recently finished and current tasks, as well as to
legitimize the requirement for more review in future studies.
This chapter will provide some viewpoints on the topic and details of the project's methodology
for gathering information and doing analysis. Additionally, four distinct sorts of related works
have been carefully picked to support the assertions and goals of this project.

2.1 Reviewed Work One

Design and implementation of solar powered mobile phone charging station for public
places.

The solar powered mobile charging station is known to be versatile as it can be used for all types
of mobile phones. One of the greatest advantages of solar powered mobile phone charging
station is that it can be used to charge mobiles even at night. This mobile phone charging system
can be easily integrated to the existing solar street lighting system. The vertical pole is having a
total length of 3.5 meters above the ground and 0.3meters below the ground. The structure is
made compactable since they have to be installed in public places [9].

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 Figure 1.
2.1.1 Limitation

The framework of the whole system is huge in size for that matter it cannot me carried around
easy and will occupy space.

2.2 Reviewed Work Two

A Low-Cost Solar Cell Charger Prototype for Smartphone’s Battery Charging

The excessive use of fossil fuels has increased dependence on this source of energy, making
global climate change one of the most significant environmental issues of our time. This is a
major challenge of the 21st century and one of the worst situations humanity will ever face. This
research examines a doable plan aimed at boosting the sustainability of energy consumption
caused by the usage of technology, particularly smartphones. The use of renewable energy in this
context provides a wide range of exceptional advantages [10]. In particular, solar energy, which
is the radiant energy from the sun that is received by the earth, is a source of energy that has a

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number of significant advantages over others but also poses a number of challenges when put to
use. The artifact after this project is shown below.

Figure 2.

2.2.1 Limitation

As seen from fig.2 even though the artifact appears to be less bulky in size one of its major
drawback is that it cannot be used for prolong hours or else the system will overheat causing
some components to malfunction and making the system less efficient.

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2.3 Reviewed Work Three

Solar Trees by Envision Solar

In as much as design is concerned, engineers think a lot and this kind of thinking has many
effects on the design process. Particularly, the "form of energy" that is used must be considered
in the design of a structure as well as the design of a city. In reality, while using fossil fuels,
buildings tap into an energy supply that is "hidden" outside of the city. As opposed to this,
renewable energy sources like solar panels, wind turbines, and other technical innovations are
integral to our new urban environments, both at the architectural and urban scales. This work
project the use of solar panel incorporated with some building materials to put up a building in
the current world of technology [11]. Fig.3 illustrates the artefact constructed below.

Figure 3.

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2.3.1 Limitation

A solar tree can cost two to six times more than a traditional solar system that generates the same
amount of energy. There are a variety of factors that affect the productivity of the solar,
including improper installation or orientation, shading from trees or buildings, and dirt or debris
build-up on the panels. Another big environmental problem with solar panels is that they can be
damaged by severe weather conditions, like high winds, hail, or lightning strikes. This damage
can occur either to the panels themselves or to the electrical components that connect the
panels to the rest of the solar energy system.

2.4 Reviewed Work Four

Construction and Analysis of Smart Solar Bench with the Optimal Angle in Four Central
Cities of Iran

This article present a smart bench (fig.4) that is located around a particular locality for people to
be able to seat or rest will charging their mobile phones and any useful electronic gadget they
might carry along when going for a stroll or waiting at a train or bus stations [12].

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 Figure 4
2.4.1 Limitation

Even though the framework looks, modern one of its drawback is the weather condition affecting
it greatly. Moreover, it is located at a fixed position hence one has to be at the location before
use.

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 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

The chapter discusses the steps involved in creating the project artefact and the hardware
elements that will be used in this project. This chapter provides a full examination and
explanation of the methods used in this project to guarantee its success. These involve the
specifics of how the different component are interconnected as well as the choice of hardware,
its specifications, assembly, and setup. A strategy based on the System Development Life Cycle
(SDLC) will be used to fragment the entire process into requirement collecting, design, coding,
testing, and deployment/maintenance in order to efficiently achieve the project's goal.

3.1 Requirements and the Design Concept

In order to make this project work a successful one, the components and all the elements needed
for the buildup of the artefact is selected carefully. Multi-meters and other testing devices are
used to access and make all findings to determine whether the components are appropriate before
interconnecting them to prevent damaging the system right from the start of assembly. The
following are some of the key requirements that will enhance the performance of the system:

i Location and Site Selection; since solar energy usage is the major component of the project
artefact, the panel must be placed at a particular place in such a way that it can capture more
sun energy to help yield maximum power efficiently.
ii Charging Infrastructure; the system will have a charging unit that will charge the battery
incorporated in the artefact design so that, when there is no enough sun energy the system
will be running on battery.
iii Aesthetics and Design; one of the objectives of the work is to design a portable system that
can be carried around easily hence, the architectural design will be sizable for the sake of
mobility as compared to the related ones.
iv Cost Effectiveness; most forms of energy usage has become quite expensive; hence people
from rural areas sometime find it difficult to purchase electricity. Designing a system that can

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 last for a longer period before damaging and less expensive can help mitigate the problem of
scarcity of electricity in those rural centers.
v Environmental Impact; the design and construction of solar charging booths have a positive
environmental impact. They reduce reliance on fossil fuels by harnessing clean solar energy,
thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the use of sustainable materials
and energy-efficient technologies minimizes resource depletion and promotes eco-friendly
urban development. Solar charging booths contribute to a greener, more sustainable future by
mitigating environmental harm and fostering energy resilience.

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REFERENCE

[1] PE, P.G.P.D., 2007. Sustainable energy systems engineering; the complete green
building design resource. McGraw-Hill Education.
[2] P. Newman, T. Beatley, and H. Boyer, "Resilient cities: Overcoming fossil fuel
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[3] A. Sharifi, "The Resilience of Urban Social-Ecological-Technological Systems

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[4] E.O. Arwa and K.A. Folly, "Reinforcement learning techniques for optimal
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a clean energy transition in Southeast Asia: Role of governments and public
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[7] P. Alstone, D. Gershenson, and D.M. Kammen, "Decentralized energy systems

for clean electricity access," Nature Climate Change, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 305-314,
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[8] T.F. Guerin, "Impacts and opportunities from large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV)
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Management, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 7-14, 2019.

[9] Udayalakshmi, J.K. and Sheik, M.S., 2018, March. Design and implementation of solar
powered mobile phone charging station for public places. In 2018, International
Conference on Current Trends towards Converging Technologies (ICCTCT) (pp. 1-5).
IEEE.
[10] Brito-Rojas, J.A., Aguilar-Calderón, J.A., Garcia-Sanchez, O., Tripp-Barba, C., Zaldívar-
Colado, A. and Misra, S., 2014, October. A low-cost solar cell charger prototype for

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 smartphone's battery charging. In 2014 IEEE 6th International Conference on Adaptive
Science & Technology (ICAST) (pp. 1-5). IEEE.
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[12] Rajaee, M. and Jalali, M., 2023. Construction and Analysis of Smart Solar Bench
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[13] E.M. Gui and I. MacGill, "Typology of future clean energy communities: An exploratory
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