Solar

The development of a solar-powered automated peanut coating machine addresses the need for an affordable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly solution for small- and medium-scale food processing enterprises. Traditional peanut coating methods are often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and dependent on unreliable grid electricity or fuel-powered systems, leading to increased production costs and inconsistent product quality. This project focuses on the design, construction, and evaluation of an automated peanut coating machine powered by a solar photovoltaic system. The machine integrates a mixing and coating chamber, an electric drive motor, a control unit, and a solar power supply with battery storage to ensure continuous operation. Automation of the coating process improves coating uniformity, reduces manual effort, enhances production efficiency, and minimizes product contamination. Performance evaluation is carried out based on coating efficiency, production capacity, energy consumption, and overall system reliability. The results are expected to demonstrate that the machine provides consistent coating quality while significantly reducing dependence on conventional energy sources and lowering operating costs. The developed system offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for peanut processing, particularly in rural and off-grid communities where access to reliable electricity is limited. It also promotes the adoption of renewable energy technologies in agro-processing industries, contributing to increased productivity, food quality, and environmental sustainability.

This report is based on the design and simulation of a solar thermal system that can be used for the provision of hot water in domestic and office applications. The increasing cost of conventional sources of energy coupled with the unreliability of the electricity supply has created problems in the provision of hot water services. The problem can be solved using solar energy, which is sustainable in this context. The main goal of this study was to design an optimal solar thermal system for the provision of hot water services. The system was designed using a flat-plate solar collector, storage tank, pump, and control unit. The mathematical models of the system's thermal behavior were formulated, after which the system was simulated using numerical methods. The system's parameters, including mass flow rate, tilt angle of the solar collector, and insulation properties, were varied to assess their impact on the system's performance. Simulation results indicated that it was possible for the system to produce enough hot water for domestic and office use. The system also indicated improved thermal efficiency for lower flow rates and optimized collector orientation. The study also indicated that improved system insulation reduced losses and improved system performance. In conclusion, the designed solar thermal heating system proved to be an effective and environmentally friendly solution for hot-water supply. The optimization analysis provides useful guidelines for improving system efficiency and adapting the design for practical implementation in similar climatic regions.