Photovoltaic Energy Source for Street Lighting in Hebron/ Palestine Using GSM Technology
Abdel-Karim Daud *
Electrical Engineering Department, Palestine Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 198, Hebron-West Bank, Palestine.
Sameer Khader
Electrical Engineering Department, Palestine Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 198, Hebron-West Bank, Palestine.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This project presents a new approach of a street lighting system that uses a photovoltaic produced energy controlled by a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication). The case study was conducted in an open area of Al-Hesbah Street in Hebron. This system is based on installinga light fixtures supplied with 24V DC loaded by photovoltaic energy. Long life rechargeable batteries are used to provide energy back-up by means of photovoltaic panels. The GSM system provides a light control for turning the light on or off according to the environmental illumination level via computers. Laboratory tests have shown that this system can produce a massive amount of energy savings for the Palestinian community in Hebron; hence it is very promising and compromising solution.
Keywords: Photovoltaic, street lighting, PIC microcontroller, GSM, LED lamps.