Design and realization of an efficient pay as you go solar module equipped with online maintenance for the energy supply of a dwelling

¹ Department of Renewable Energy, HTTTC-Kumba, P.O. Box 249 Buea Road, University of Buea
² Department of Physics, P.O. Box 812, University of Yaounde I

^* Corresponding author : kazealoyem@yahoo.fr

Abstract

According to 2020 World Bank report, just 64.7% of Cameroon’s population have access to electricity with only 80% of the supply concentrated in urban areas having persistent power outages throughout the country especially in the dry season. From these statistics, individuals are now hocking up to alternative renewable energy sources. In this work we propose a Pay As You Go (PAYG) solar module as solution. The objectives of this work are; improve energy access in off grid areas, design an electronic system that can monitor and control the system, ensure sustainability and affordability by an average Cameroonian. A 13 watts energy system is designed around an Arduino board associated with other modules. A XoJo desktop platform is used to monitor and control the solar module. The user can recharge the module by sending the SMS “RECHARGE PAYG” and the platform will respond by sending a guide to follow. If this is done, the platform automatically initiates the activation. If successful the owner will receive a Short Message Service (SMS) confirming the activation, otherwise an activation code is sent to manually activate the system using the keypad. Payments are done through mobile money operations. In case there is a fault on the system, based on the received information, the owner will be instructed on what to do for maintenance. Thereafter, they will be a feedback indicating the fault has been eliminated.