The Al-Musayyib Technical College, one of the formations of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, recently witnessed the defense of a master’s thesis by researcher Shehla Raed Abdul Nasser from the Department of Electrical Engineering Technologies, entitled:
“Design and Implementation of an Independent Photovoltaic System Based on a Continuous DC Nanogrid for Low-Voltage Laboratory Applications.”
The study focused on designing and implementing a DC Nano Grid system powered by solar energy to supply the Electrical Engineering Technologies laboratories with stable low voltages (5V and 12V) directly from solar panels.
The research aimed to address the problem of power outages and reduce dependence on conventional systems that rely on large inverters and batteries, by adopting direct supply from a 450-watt solar panel using a Buck Converter to regulate voltage. A 24-volt battery was included as a backup source, operating only when the panel voltage dropped below the regulatory threshold.
Results demonstrated that laboratory loads could be operated during working hours relying on direct solar energy on sunny and partially cloudy days, with clear voltage stability at 5V and 12V despite variations in solar irradiance. The study also indicated that the short-circuit current (Ish) was the most affected by changing weather conditions, while the open-circuit voltage (VOC) remained relatively stable until approaching the battery cutoff threshold.
The study concluded that the proposed DC Nano Grid system represents a practical, cost-effective, and highly efficient solution suitable for implementation in educational laboratories, significantly reducing reliance on batteries and unnecessary conversion stages.
