SoltarinE: Solar charging station eco friendly as a charging solution for electric farm machinery

¹ Computer Engineering Technology Study Program, College of Vocational Studies, IPB University, Indonesia
² Department of Resource and Environmental Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, IPB University, Indonesia
³ Management of Food Service and Nutrition, College of Vocational Studies, IPB University, Indonesia
⁴ Agribusiness Management Study Program, College of Vocational Studies, IPB University, Indonesia
⁵ Department of Agribusiness, Economic and Management Faculty, IPB University, Indonesia
⁶ Industrial Management Study Program, College of Vocational Studies, IPB University, Indonesia
⁷ Technology and Management of Plantation Production, College of Vocational Studies, IPB University, Indonesia
⁸ Department of Ecotourism, College of Vocational Studies, IPB University, Indonesia
⁹ Livestock Management and Technology Study Program, College of Vocational Studies, IPB University, Indonesia
¹⁰ Production Technology and Development of Agricultural Communities, College of Vocational Studies, IPB University, Indonesia
¹¹ Environmental Engineering and Management Study Program, College of Vocational Studies, IPB University, Indonesia
¹² Software Engineering Technology, College of Vocational School, IPB University, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: ridwansiskandar@apps.ipb.ac.id

Abstract

An environmentally-friendly solar charging station has been successfully designed, manufactured and tested as a charging solution for electric-powered agricultural machinery (SoltarinE). Two principal methodologies are employed: the design method and the performance test method. In principle, solar panels equipped with a solar tracker system, assisted by lightdependent resistor (LDR) light sensors and actuators, are capable of absorbing the optimum solar intensity. Subsequently, the conversion of solar intensity into chemical energy is employed to charge the batteries of electrically powered agricultural machinery. The automated solar panel system was able to effectively move the two-axis solar tracker with the assistance of a light sensor, resulting in a 37.21% increase in the power produced by thesolar panels. The battery system demonstrates that the SoltarinE storage battery exhibits a rated voltage value on the battery that is indicative of a satisfactory condition, as it remains above 24 V. The CCA capability value also indicates a normal condition, as evidenced by a CCA value above 400. Moreover, the analysis of the SOC and the SOH indicates that the battery is still in an optimal condition, with a value of 100%. The power charge system has also been successfully implemented as a charging source forelectric agricultural machines.