The Ultimate List: 100+ Solar Energy Projects for Engineering Students

These are the projects which work successfully based on solar energy. Solar power projects are the most interesting projects and we are all well aware of the way that they are helpful in our real life also. Solar water heaters, solar cookers, sun-tracking solar panels, solar-powered refrigerators, etc. are some of the best examples for solar energy projects.

Here, we are listing out some of the best solar energy projects especially collected for engineering students. So, if you are interested, you may check this list of projects ideas based on solar energy and write your comments, suggestions, and new ideas in the contact us page.

EH Solar Projects

  1. Design of Solar Inverter Circuit for Homes: The idea of this project is to aid hobbyist to design their own solar inverter to convert the power obtained (DC) from solar panel to operate the home appliances (AC Power) by using fewer components.
  2. Solar Tracking Solar Panel Using ATMEGA8 Controller: Based on the light intensity detected by Light Dependant Resistors (LDR’s), this project automatically adjusts the solar panel in the direction of maximum light from the sun using AVR ATMEGA controller.To buy this project
  3. Implementation of Solar Battery Charger Circuit: The energy generated from the solar panel must charge battery in an appropriate way. So this implemented circuit regulates voltage and current to the battery with overvoltage cutoff facility.

Solar Arduino Projects

  1. Solar Arduino Snake: This is fun project ,which utilises arduino board and solar panel.Step wise procedure is shown here for construction of snake.
  2. Telemetry with Solar Cell: Telemetry with solar cells is being expalined here.It uses zigbee modules and arduino for transmitting and receiving the data.
  3. Arduino Solar Charge Controller: Arduino is the main heart of the charge controller.It senses the voltages from solar panel and the battery. Accordingly it charges the battery and control the load.
  4. Development of Dual-Axis Solar Tracking using Arduino with Lab VIEW: This project aims to track the sun and maximize the output produced by a solar panel using Arduino uno controller and LabVIEW HMI. This uses a set of light depend resistors to detect the maximum light source location.
  5. Flashlight Controlled Solar Powered Robot using Arduino: This project implements a light gradient sensitive robotic vehicle which is powered by solar energy. This project can be useful for controlling the robot based on flash light sensing by using Arduino controller.

Solar Wireless Projects

  1. Wireless Solar Charger: This project shows a wireless solar charger that can charge the mobile phones.
  2. Solar Based Advanced Water Quality Monitoring System Using Wireless Sensor Network: This project monitors the quality of water using solar powered underwater wireless sensor network technology. The parameters like pH, oxygen level and turbidity at every node (powered by solar panel) of a wireless sensor network is sent to the base station.
  3. Forest Fire Detection Using Optimized Solar Powered Wireless Sensor Networks: There is no availability of electricity in forests. Therefore, this projects implements solar powered Zigbee wireless sensor network with appropriate microcontroller based circuit to detect the forest fires.
  4. Solar Based Wireless Power Transfer: This project presents the transfer of power wirelessly using a renewable energy resource i.e., solar power. Solar panels convert the light energy into electrical energy which will be stored in the batteries. Further this energy is transmitted to the receiving end in the form of electromagnetic waves.

Solar Battery Projects

  1. Solar Lipoly Charger:This project shows the charging of a lithium polymer battery uisng a 5v or 6v solar panel.
  2. Effective Battery Charging System by Solar Energy using C Programming and Microcontroller: This project shows the battery charging system which regulates the electricity flowing between storage battery and charging output.
  3. Solar Powered Fans: This article shows the conversion of battery powered fans into solar powere fans.
  4. Solar Lantern: This latern utilises solar energy to charge NiMH battery which can lit up 1 watt white LED in the night.
  5. Battery Charger For Wind And Solar Energy Conversion Conversion System Using Buck Converter: The present paper proposes a basic method of improving the charging of battery banks.
  6. FPGA Based Battery Energy Storage System Using Solar Cells: This paper explains a FPGA based battery energy storing system using solar cells.
  7. Solar Battery Charging Indicator: This article shows the circuit that monitors the solar battery charging.It doesnot tell the state of solar panel.
  8. Solar Window Charger Circuit: The window charger proposed here can be used to charge a LI ion battery.It can stick to glass window by placing the panel outside the window and a usb cable can be used to charge the battery.
  9. DIY Solar Boost Converter with MPPT Charge Controller: Here is a simple solar boost converter & voltage limiter that charges a 12V battery from a 6V solar panel.
  10. Design of Simple Solar Charger Circuit for Mobiles: This project aims to design a simple solar charger for mobiles by utilizing the solar energy from the sun. It uses simple regulator circuit with basic electronic components in order to supply the constant voltage to the battery.
  11. Solar Charging Handbag: This project allows to charge electronic gadgets like mobile phones, ipods, etc. by a solar battery charger which is attached to the handbag or backpack.
  12. Lead-Acid-Battery Regulator For Solar Panel Systems: This simple project design develops a circuit which regulates the power supplied from solar collector in order to divert the surplus energy in the event of much sunshine.

Solar LED Projects

  1. Solar-Powered Home Lighting System: This system shows an efficient way of utilising the solar power and the LED lighting system.
  2. Solar PV Powered Energy Efficient LED Lighting System for a Class Room: This paper shows a lighting system using solar PV energy.
  3. Solar LED Road Marker: Roads are marked with reflective road-stud for safety.However on busy roads are harder to see. The road maker proposed here has automatic switching function, realized using the combination of a LED driver circuitry, re-chargeable cell, and small solar panel.

Solar Inverter Projects

  1. Solar inverter using sg3525: Construction of solar inverter using pulse width controller sg3525 is explained in this project.
  2. Portable Solar Power Inverter: A portable solar powered inverter that keeps away darkness all the time was proposed here.
  3. Quasi-Z-Source Solar Inverter Fed BLDC Drive: A solar powered quasi Z-source inverter with PIC controlled brushless DC motor is implemented by this project which also includes MPPT controller to produce maximum energy from solar panel.

Solar IoT Projects

  1. Solar Tracker with Live Data Feed – Windows IoT: This project is a solar tracker with live data feed which is powered by windows IOT running on raspberry pi-2.
  2. Solar Panel Dual Management System: This project proposes an Iot based solar panel management system.Mainly the dust accumalation on the solar panel will reduce its efficiency,theft of soalr panels is also increasing these days.These two aspects were considered in this project.

Solar Microcontroller Projects

  1. Maximum Power Point Tracking for Low Power Photovoltaic Solar Panels: The main objective of this project is to maximize the output produced by a solar panel by implementing MPPT (Maximum Power Point Algorithm) on a microcontroller unit.
  2. Solar Energy Measurement System: The solar cell parameters like voltage and currents are constantly monitored and measured by this type of project design. Current and voltage sensors with appropriate ADCs are interfaced to the microcontroller unit in order to measure the solar energy.
  3. PIC Microcontroller Based Solar Water Heating System: This design describes the implementation of solar energy exploitation system for solar water heating system by using PIC microcontroller based circuit.

Other Projects

  1. SCR Based SSS Solar Charge Control:An SCR based solar charger circuit is proposed in this circuit.
  2. Off Grid Solar System:The off grid solar system shows the installation of solar panel system at home.
  3. Solar Radio:This is the simple project where the radio is powered by a solar panel.
  4. Solar Powered Air Conditioning Unit:Here is the project that uses solar power for air conditioning unit.
  5. How to Make A Solar iPod/iPhone Charger:This project shows the solar charger that can charge iPod/iPhone.This is a portable charger
  6. Solar Plane: This DIY article shows the Construction of a plane that uses solar energy.
  7. Design and Cost Analysis of PV System Using Nano Solar Cell: This paper shows the designing of PV system using nano solar cells.As the generation of electricity from light is very costly ,this paper also presents the cost analysis of PV system using nano technology.
  8. Fabrication of Embedded System for Dust Removal on Solar Photo Voltaic Cell:Many factors effect the solar panel from producing maximum energy.One of such factors I shadowing or dust on the panel.This project shows the designing of an embedded system for for dust removal on solar panel.
  9. Soil Erosion Prevention by Sustainable Phytoremediation Process using Solar Irrigation and Fertilisation System: This paper proposes a system which monitors the PH level and soil moisture using soalr panel as power source.Thus it protects the soil errosion.
  10. Electric Energy Management and Engineering in Solar Cell System:This paper on electrical energy management in solar cell system discusses about two topics i.e how to keep the system sustainable to supply electrical load and sustainability to deliver energy perspective.
  11. Fresh Water Production by Desalination Of Sea Water Using Solar Energy: This paper shows the production of fresh water from the sea water desalination using solar energy.
  12. Remote Village Electrification Through Renewable Solar Energy: This paper shows the case study of electrification of the village using renewable solar energy.
  13. Solar Energy as a Primary Source of Energy for a Cloud Server: The aim of this paper is to offer and scientifically confirm a proposal of an accessibility solution of cloud by implementing of solar energy as a primary source.
  14. Virtual Prototyping of The Solar Tracking Systems: A research in the field of improving the efficiency of the solar energy conversion by using tracking systems is presented here.Main aim is to change the position of the solar panel correlated to the sun position for maximising the radiation degree of use.
  15. Storing Thermal Energy from Solar Collectors for the Needs of a Detached House: This paper evaluates the possibility of meeting a single family need for hot water and heat round the year using only solar energy.
  16. Design of Energy Efficient Sensors: This paper focuses on generation of electricity through photo voltaic cells using dual axis system.
  17. DIY Solar Air Heater Boxes: This Article shows step by step procedure of building a solar heater box for a home.
  18. Solar Bag: This is simple Solar bag project.Using this bag one can charge all the devices with a removable power bank.
  19. Parabolic Solar Oven: A parabolic shaped Solar voen is constructed here.It can boil one liter of water in 15-20 minutes and can cook for 3 people in 50 minutes.A step by step procedure for construction of this oven is hsown here.
  20. Programmable Smart Solar Oven: A proggramable smart oven is shown here.It can turn towards the sun fro certain amount of time until the food is cooked.Then it turns away from the sun.
  21. Solar Lawn Mower: This lawn mower proposed here uses solar energy for mowing the lawn grass.
  22. Solar Cockroach Virbobot: This is simple DIY project that uses a vibrator and a solar cell.The are arranged in the shape of a cock roach.
  23. Solar Night Light: Solar night lamp uses the solar energy to power up the night lamp.
  24. How To Make a Solar Car: This project shows the making of a simple solar car.
  25. Solar Bug: This project utilises a super capcitor and a solar cell for the bug
  26. Solar Roller: This solar roller is a fun project which stores the power and discharges it with a movement.
  27. How To Build A Basic Portable Solar Power System: In this video a basic portbale solar power system is shown which can be used for camping,boats,motor-homes etc.
  28. Solar UPS Controller/ Automatic Transfer Switch: This project shows a small box which can utilise the solar energy in a small scale.I t has wifi and hooks into home automation.
  29. Study Of Solar Air Heater Energy And Efficiency Using Computational Fluid Dynamics: Solar air heater a collection of solar energy from the sun and which in turn heats the room.This paper studies and analyse the details of flow field using computational fluid dynamics.
  30. Solar Power Water Pumping System: Solar water pumping system consists of PV array,DC motor,helical rotor.This paper analyses the performance of this water pumping system.
  31. Efficient Conversion of Solar Energy to Biomass and Electricity: The solar energy can be converted into biomass and electricity.The two methods were combined and full solar spectrum is utilised for producing the micro algae systems.
  32. Plasmonic Conversion of Solar Energy: The plasmonic conversion of solar energy is proposed in this paper.This finds an efficient way of converting the solar energy into electricity.
  33. Application of Solar Energy for Lighting in Opencast Mines: This paper explains about lighting system using solar panel in opencast mines. Illumination in mines is a major requirement but the there is a rapid increase in the price of fossil fuels and diesel.So this paper helps in improving the lighting system.
  34. Solar Light For A Portable Toilet: This project shows the circuit of solar light for portable toilet.
  35. Solar Compass with Oled Display: Here is the solar compass circuit with Oled display.This is not influenced by the magnetic field unlike regular magnetic compass.
  36. Solar Array Design: This video shows the design of solar array design where mini solar panels are used.
  37. Portable Solar Tracker: Here is the DIY project explaining the portable solar tracker.
  38. DIY Solar Birdhouse Light: The circuit presented here is a mini solar based lighting system and is economical.
  39. Solar Powered Auto Irrigation System: The proposed irrigation system uses photo-voltaic cell to produce the electrical energy by converting the solar energy from sun. This derived energy is further utilized for controlling the pump sets based on the soil moisture content.
  40. Solar Powered Coir Provostor: The concept behind this design is to reduce the fuel required by heavy vehicles to dry the coir obtained from coconut. This project uses solar panel with MPPT controller to energize the DC motor in order to drive the vehicle.
  41. GSM Based Flexible Calling System for Coal Mining Workers: The aim of this project is to help the coal mine workers in emergency situations to be able to contact with centralized control room even at power failure conditions due to the solar energy utilization for circuit working.
  42. Farmer Friendly Solar Based Electric Fence for Rural Agriculture: Electric fences are practical as well as economical solutions for maximized field production. This idea of the project helps the farmers so that their fields, farmlands, etc are safeguarded. This project uses solar panels to charge the batteries.
  43. Beam Circuit Solar Engine: This is a simple type of robot design that uses solar energy to drive the actuator system. The mounted solar panel charges the set of capacitor by utilizing energy from the sun and then capacitors discharge their energy to drive the robot or simply an actuator.
  44. Portable Solar Powered Radio: This simple DIY project helps to build simple solar power circuit for operating the radio with use of small solar panel instead of replacing discharged batteries every time.
  45. Self-Powered Solar Data Logger: In this project, solar insulation levels and temperature levels are continuously measured by the respective sensor and stored in flash memory. This logged data can be useful for future analysis.
  46. A Hybrid Wind-Solar Energy System: This project allows two sources to supply load power depending on the availability of the source i.e., either solar or wind source. This circuit also implements MPPT algorithm for maximum power.
  47. Wearable Solar Based Cool Cap: The main aim of this design is to prevent sunstrokes and to lower the temperature by attaching small fans to the wearable caps with small solar panel in order to supply the power to circuit.
  48. A Project on Solar Chimney: The natural way of keeping the building cool is the usage of solar chimney. Until the sunlight availability, this chimney naturally keeps ventilation to fill the cold air inside of chimney.
  49. Solar powered Induction Motor Driven Water Pump Operating on a Desert Well: This project uses a photovoltaic fed water pumping system which delivers the water from desert well by employing induction motor pump.
  50. Solar Based High Efficient Vacuum Cleaner: This is an energy efficient model of vacuum cleaner which uses solar energy to create a partial vacuum in order to suck the dirt and dust particles.
  51. Solar Powered Path Finding Vehicle: The main idea of this project is to implement a path finding robot which follows the desired path by avoiding obstacles in that path.
  52. Solar Power Based Industrial Boiler Controller: This project controls the heating element of industrial boiler by sensing the temperature based on the requirement. Solar panels provide the necessary heating requirement of boiling.
  53. High Efficiency Photovoltaic Source Simulator with Fast Response Time: This study presents the simulator tool for maximum power point tracking algorithms and solar power conditioning systems by a high efficient photovoltaic source simulator.
  54. Solar Powered Automated Fertigation Control System for Cultivation in Green House: This developed system turns the ON/OFF injector for fertilizer mixing and also controls the irrigation pumps for setting regular irrigation frequency by using the power from solar panels.
  55. Sunlight Powered Steam Engine: The concept of this project is to design a reciprocating engine powered with solar energy. The sunlight energy with sufficient heat fallen on to metal tube converts the water into steam.
  56. Design of Solar Energy Meter: It is a simple project which determines the energy generated by the solar panel. If the solar power generated is sufficient to drive the load, this circuit doesn’t allow the power from AC line otherwise remaining amount (in case of less power from PV cells) will be drawn from AC load.
  57. Series & Parallel Solar Circuit Modeling and Analysis: The purpose of this theory is to perform the detailed analysis on dynamic behavior of the solar cells using simulations methods.
  58. Solar Powered Fans: This article shows the conversion of battery powered fans into solar powere fans.
  59. Solar Lantern: This latern utilises solar energy to charge NiMH battery which can lit up 1 watt white LED in the night.
  60. Solar-Powered Pedestal Lighting System: The solar powered pedestial lighting system uses high powered LEDs.The solar energy is stored in the battery and used at night for pedestal lighting system.
  61. Turn Off Battery Charging from Solar Panel at Nightfall: When the battery connected to the solar panel is charged in day time it starts discharging partially at night.The proposed circuit protects the panel from this voltage.
  62. Solar Powered LED Street Light with Auto Intensity Control: This is an energy efficient method of street lighting which uses solar energy to power-up the LED Street light by storing electrical energy in battery during the day time. During nights the stored energy supplied to LED Street lights with auto intensity control based on timings.
  63. Design of Solar Powered Night Lamp Circuit: This project implements a simple solar powered night lamp that turns OFF and ON automatically during sunset and sunrise respectively. During the day time it charges the battery and at night time it utilizes the stored energy to power the lamp (LED).
  64. Design of Solar Electric Bicycle: The solar panel attached to the bicycle helps to charge the battery. So this project charges the battery from the solar panel, further this battery power can be utilized for glow-up the lamps, horns, etc.
  65. Solar Powered Automatic Rain Operated Wiper: The main aim of this project is to operate the wiper of any vehicle by automatically sensing the rain. It uses a solar panel to charge the battery so that entire circuit is supplied with battery power.

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29 Responses

  1. NICE IDEAS BUT I WANT TO MAKE THE SUNLIGHT TRACKING SYSTEM WITH MINI UPS SO PLEASE GIVE ME SOME IDEAS TO MAKE THIS PROJECT

  2. Thank you for giving these ideas..I was expecting solar project based on car… Can u plz give information about design and installation process….
    Thank you

  3. Thanks very much for this website. May I know if you have courses in Renewable energy, with specialisation in Solar Energy at the level of PhD or Doctoral

  4. I want to make automatic solar tracking system using PLC…At Mtech level…. Can give me any innovative ideas on this project

  5. It is truly a nice and helpful piece of info.
    I’m glad that you just shared this helpful information with us.

    Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  6. Can I just say what a relief to uncover someone who really knows what they’re discussing on the web.
    You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light
    and make it important. More people really need to look at this and understand this side of the
    story. I was surprised that you aren’t more popular given that you surely have the gift.

  7. Thankyou for posting this article. Your article is very helpful for me in making my B.tech ECE Project.You will provide a great ideas for choosing the project.

  8. Thanks for sharing with us the solar energy project ideas. I have small business relented with solar panel. This post is really so helpful for me. Many many thanks for sharing with us.

  9. This is really appreciable, how you managed all the necessary details in this article. Before planting the solar panels we should always keep these things in our mind. Great to see an informative post. Keep writing such things.

  10. The world’s largest solar energy power plant will be built in Australia, as part of a major renewable project. However, the energy generated will not be used by the country itself – it will be transported across the sea by cables.

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