Solar Energy Harvesting for Self-Sustainable Wireless Sensor Network

Environmental energy harvesting for self-sustainable Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a key challenge. Conventional battery powered WSN usually placed in a remotes places hence servicing and maintaining the WSN might not be possible. It is essential for the WSN to be able to be self sustainable. In this project, solar energy harvesting provides a solution to address this problem. Several experiments is conducted to observe the characteristics of solar panel and to ensure that it is able to power WSN. Three important elements in solar energy harvesting which are solar cell, solar charger controller and battery are discussed in depth. Calculations to find suitable operating condition of motes and battery and the requirement for solar panel are included in the report. Results showing the Maximum power point (MPP) of the solar cell used in this projects and the energy harvested from the solar panel. The project is near completions, as some of the works to improve the energy harvester can be improved. Due to the time constraint and some technical problems, this project is only half complete.