View source for XO Solar

<noinclude>[[Category:Battery & Power]]
</noinclude>
=New=

For advanced/recent tips, please see the power-engineering mailing list, and its archives: http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/power

For an introductory article, surveying key electricity concepts and an example approach suitable for very small schools, see: [http://schoolserver.wordpress.com/training/power-when-its-not-always-available/ Power When it's Not Always Available] by George Hunt.

See also: [[Peripherals/Solar_Panel]]

===[[XO_Solar/GPSolar|GP Solar's 10 Watt panels]]===

<b>May 2010 Update: http://iLoveMyXO.com is expected to sell 10 Watt solar panels for XO-1 and XO-1.5 laptops starting in the summer of 2010.  For their latest inventory updates, please follow their [http://twitter.com/iLoveMyXO Twitter newsfeed].</b>

A day by day log of how GP Solar stuff works

The above GP Solar panels may be your best bet if buying in bulk.  However GP Solar's minimum sale may be as high as 500 panels or such (someone please confirm?!)

Please help us all find vendors selling similar such solar panels in smaller quantities.

One possibility ''might'' be http://EnergyEmp.com in New Hampshire!

=== Retail Suppliers [XOexplosion.com currently offline] ===
[[User:AuntiMame]] [[User_talk:Yamaplos/en#solar_panels_available_in_the_US|says]] she's been selling these since June 2008

[http://xoexplosion.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_17&products_id=132 5W Solar Panel].  Yes, these are 5W, but the difference is the ones I'm testing are still very difficult to get, even though they may seem less expensive - you cannot get them... :-)  Go with AnutiMame, she's built a reputation for reliability <span style="background:#FFFFFF; padding:1px; margin-left:20px; font-size:75%;">[[Image:red.png]][[User:Yamaplos|<span style="color:#000091;cursor:" title="Executive Director, OLE Bolivia"> Yamaplos </span>]]</span> 21:59, 20 March 2009 (UTC)

===Foldable polycrystalline solar module===
Looking for a solar module small enough to be carried, I was thinking using a solar blanket for its light weight, but it needs a greater surface than a polycrystalline module, which is heavier. For my need I use the [https://www.powertraveller.com/en/shop/portable-chargers/professional/solargorilla/ Solar Gorilla] module which gives 10W under 21 V. Despite the fact that 21 V is within the tolerance voltage of the XO, the voltage needed to be reduced. For that I use a [http://www.elv.de/output/controller.aspx?cid=74&detail=10&detail2=18147&flv=1&bereich=&marke= converter] and set the output voltage to 12 V. I chose this converter for its efficiency (97 % says the manufacturer).

[[Image:XO_and_SolarGorilla.jpg]]

It works great, it is easily transportable, but it has a main drawback. The price is high: 150€ for the module + 50€ for the converter. --[[User:Paquan|Paquan]] 08:53, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

= Is 10 W the sweet spot under bright sun? =
== success, 11% to 48% ==

'''The current setup''' is two [http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=41144 Harbor Freight 5 W panels], item 41144, rated at 350 mAh each. At $ 50 each, we're far from the $30 solar solution :-(

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Sun May 20
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finally got the battery to go up!
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11% to 48% over about 2 h of sun
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clear sky
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Wed May 28
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first full charge
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@ 95 min, 42%, @ 130 min 56%, @ 174 min green light, 97%
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partial cloudy to sunny
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<sub>[[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 12:17, 29 May 2008 (EDT)</sub>
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== Purpose/Scope ==
=== Test solar panel setups for the XO laptop===
* What is the minimum panel that will work?
: expectation is charging time of no more than 3 hours.
: Tech Info - I just booted my XO-1 with a meter on the battery and for ~95sec, it draws 1A, after that it'll draw 1A with full backlight(BL). Setting to minimum BL shows ~850mA and with no BL shows ~800mA. Since it is a 6.7V battery, that's 6.7W(V*I=W) to pretty much run the XO with no power management and everything above that is free for battery charging.
: The battery says 3.1Ah on it so for a fully discharged battery, you'd need another 1A or 6.7W above what the XO is using to charge the battery in 3 hours. Roughly.  Basically, a 15W panel will do the job as specified(3h chrg) but a 10W will probably be acceptable in most cases. [[User:Dlarue|Doug LaRue]] 12:17, 06 June 2008 (PDT)

* Does size/output of panel affect charging time?
: Yes.  It's all about amperes, apparently.  An engineer mentioned a $600+ flexible roll-up solution, currently available over-the-counter, meant for laptops on the go.  Bless his heart.
* Controller
A controller downstream from the panel avoids battery overflow, and possibly also frying the XO.  More research is needed before I will try a huge panel.  Anyway, for now we should be safe, the panel I am using outputs only 120 mA, precisely one tenth of what the XO OEM charger brick gives.  The [[Hardware_specification#Battery|XO battery]] apparently has such a filter, and there is also something called an [[EC|Embedded Controller]] which controls battery charge and some power functions.  I need do more work in this department.
:Tech Info - yes, there is a built-in charge controller in the XO so there should be no need for an external charge controller. Only if you are connecting the panel directly to a battery pack will you need such an external charge controller.[[User:Dlarue|Doug LaRue]] 12:26, 06 June 2008 (PDT)
* What happens when a battery is slowly charged by a puny panel all day, which then boosts XO battery recharge?
: I was given today a 1.2 Ah Pb Yuasa battery by [http://txspc.com Texas Solar Power Company] owner Craig Overmiller to test that [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 15:00, 24 April 2008 (EDT)
:: such a small battery should be "safe", but otherwise I would have the same worry of shooting too many amps through.  Tried it on, XO works.  Now I will try to discharge it and then see what my panel can do.  Simple theory is that it would take 10 hours to recharge (120 mAh, feeding a 1.2 Ah batt), that of course not counting any losses...  Way too long.  Need a larger panel for real life expectations.  On the other hand, the XO runs just fine off the panel.  Something is peculiar here.  We'll see. [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 17:44, 24 April 2008 (EDT)
:::Figured out what is "peculiar".  The XO is feeding from its battery even when hooked to the panel.  Unexpected, and it might mess up things big time.  [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 17:24, 27 April 2008 (EDT)
:::: and so it was... :-( ~~ [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 19:58, 29 April 2008 (EDT)

=== Notes on Solar Panels and SLA batteries ===

* For maximum efficiency Solar panels need a 'peak power converter'. 
* Charging SLA batteries above about 80% from solar panels cab be very wasteful (the charging rate drops off meaning you can't use all the energy available).
* Discharging SLA's below 30% (even 'deep cycle' ones) kills them. Quickly.
* SLA's therefore go from about 80% to 30%, roughly half the rated capacity.

=== Make available for sale XO Solar kits ===
:The whole point of this is that this hardware be available for purchase over-the-counter, by anyone, very soon. debate on the opinion issue and historical data is in [[Talk:XO_Solar | discussion page]]. 

:Many G1G1 donors would like to play around with alternative power sources like solar.  

:There seem to be a couple commercial efforts happening, [[Product_News#Solar_Panels|Product News, Solar Panels]]


* ETA for XO Solar is May 2008
: This is for the full-fledged, battery charging system.  Still waiting to come across a larger panel, that probably I will have to pay out of pocket...  hint, hint :-)
:: Expected cost of such hopefully will be under $75.

=== Transfer knowledge & experience ===
Use a Libre stance as to sharing what we find so that everyone can go solar if they can access the necessary hardware, without needing to purchase directly from us or our partners.
: You can call yours the Jerry Solar Solution if your name is Jerry, and you can still call it that even if your name is Martha.  I am getting my panels from [http://www.harborfreightusa.com Harbor Freight Tools], my plugs from Digikey, which we have not proved yet are the right ones, but we hope...

=== Facilitate XO Solar stuff for needy projects ===
Yes Nepal, we hear you...  :-)

This will depend, of course, on gathering funds to subsidize kits and shipping.  A better accounted G1G1 has been proposed, in which developed world-purchasers would be able to purchase hardware in such a way that their purchase would make stuff available for needy projects.

{{:Solar panels}}

== Major Challenges ==
=== Amorphous Si panel ===
:: [[Image:1.5WsolarPanel.png|1.5 W solar panel]]

A 120 mAh, 12 V nominal panel (advertised as 1.5 W) is enough to "operate" (~6W is normally needed) the XO, but so far appears as not enough to charge the battery,.  This is a Harbor Freight 44768 panel. Retails for about $13 plus shipping, similar price on eBay. [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 15:00, 24 April 2008 (EDT) 

[[Image:success.png|first XO running under solar, Apr 22 2008]]

::notice the exciting orange glow in the first "in the wild" solar XO, April 22 2008

=== XO === 
:Since I was lent an XO that is solved for now.  Applying for a developer XO so I can return this one.  Wish me luck, it seems they're not giving them away that easy anymore.
===Plug===
:The weird-beyond-all-understanding plug.  Hope I can get some real ones soon for distribution of XO Solar, but it's a simple 20 minute hack for me to fashion one out of plastic straws and hot glue for testing.
:::got an email from Mike Lee a couple minutes ago with an offer for a sample of a real one.  Great! 
:::: Yesterday purchased 10 [http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=CP-014-ND   CP-014-ND Digikey plugs], I have been told these are the right ones.
:::::'''Caution!'''  These are '''not''' the right plugs!  I had got my information from the person in charge of power at OLPC, so take any information about this carefully, whatever origin it has.  $18 bucks down the drain. [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 16:40, 27 April 2008 (EDT)
::::: I bought some of those too. In the parts box they go. --[[User:Mikelee|Mike Lee]] 12:30, 4 June 2008 (EDT)

::: There is a [http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/6923 current ticket about a better plug] so hopefully this will no longer be a problem for Gen 2 XOs. [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 15:00, 24 April 2008 (EDT)

=== home made XO plug ===
[[Image:plug01.jpg]][[Image:plug02.jpg]][[Image:plug03.jpg]][[Image:plug04.jpg]][[Image:plug05.jpg]]
[[Image:plug06.jpg]][[Image:plug07.jpg]]
:: Well, it took me more than 20 minutes, but it worked just fine.  The central dielectric tube is from a BIC-type pen, the conductor surfaces from some thin copper sheet, the whole assembled with hot-temp glue. '''Caution''' do not use thermofusible plastics for anything electric unless you know exactly what you're doing. Same goes for any such XO hack.  You're on your own!  (don't that feel good, eh?)

== Action ==
* get solar panels 
: I've been running a 1.5 W, 12 V nominal one since February 2007...
::working setup now is two 5 W, 350 mAh panels [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]]
* get XO 
: got one for now.   Borrowed from Austin XO
* get solar energy advice
: Met today with wonderful people of [http://txspc.com  Texas Solar Power Company]. [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 15:00, 24 April 2008 (EDT)
* wire things together 
: done.  It works!
::well, sort of.  It appeared to work, but actually kept discharging
:::Actual charge as of yesterday   [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 15:43, 21 May 2008 (EDT)

=== tests log ===
Space reserved to report on what happens.
:Uh, need to clean up things.  add some schematics.  when I'm back from Camp Texas [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 09:29, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

===CIS PVs ===
New era CIS(Copper Indium(di)Selenide) PVs are arriving,with appealing features & lower prices!
[[Image:CIS_XO.jpg]][[Image:Cischarge.jpg]][[Image:powerpak.jpg]]

== People ==
please sign in.  Being in this list just ''might'' give you first dibs as XO Solar stuff starts to get distributed !

If you don't have a User page in the wiki with contact info, please contact me by email so I can touch base with you!

[[User:Yamaplos|Yama Ploskonka]] contact for the project, yamaplos@BOLinux.org

[[User:Buxtor|buxtor]] would like to be on the XO Solar list!

[[User:Dlarue|Doug LaRue]] has some tech(hard/soft) backgound

[[User:SolarDirigible|Nicholas Schaefer]] has free time and an XO-1

[[User:Coyote|Ron Lussier]] Looking for a power solution for a Fijian island which has no power access.

[[User:Manuka|Stan.SWAN]] in Wellington,NZ has made significant mid 2008 (yes-NZ winter!) XO charging testing with a 10W CIS (Copper Indium Selenide) PV. Such CIS/CIGS PVs are cheaper than normal Si types,& show superior overcast/haze/low light & off angle output. Automotive 12V SLA based emergency "Portable Power Packs" (~US$35) were found ideal for solar storage. stan.swan@gmail.com

[[User:npt|Nick Thompson nickpthompson@gmail.com]] would love to get any sort of solar XO action going on!
 
[[User:islandenergy|Eric Youngren]] Is a solar guy who would like to help provide power systems for XOs and school servers and other remote power needs.   http://islandenergysystems.com  or http://islandenergysystems.wordpress.com 

[[User:Swannjie|swannjie@gmail.com]] Click on edit to enter your information here

[[User:biopilz|thomas@biopilze.de]] got two [http://mobile-energy2.com/product_foldable650.php 6.5 watt-cigs-foldable panel]s (in fact they deliver only about 3 watts each at weight about 0.3kg each, BUT also cost 100 euro each! -by 2010/03), he experiments with them and LiPo-batteries (LIPO) ... powering an xo (or an Asus asus eeepc 900a) with them and/ or together on his bicycle (equipped with a hub-dynamo -delivers about 4-6 watts during cycling...) all together seems to be enough power to get all running autarc: eg for navigation, steady-real-time-documentation... -is interested in exchange: Skype: [http://mystatus.skype.com/smallicon/biopilze.de biopilze.de] (seldomly online, -so email him first to come together...)

=== special thanks to ===
* [[User:Annegentle|Anne Gentle]] from [[Xo-austin|XO Austin]], for trusting me with her B4 XO, even after I told her I could not guarantee it would not fry.
* [http://biodesign.webeden.co.uk Graham Knight] for good technical advice.
* [http://wiki.laptop.org/go/User:Mikelee Mike Lee], for encouragement and helping me lose some of my noobishness in XO power issues, so that I could sound more like I knew what I was talking about, when corresponding with more expert people.
:: got the plugs today.  Thanks!  They're the real thing! [[User:Yamaplos|Yamaplos]] 11:48, 1 May 2008 (EDT)
* Craig Overmiller and the people of [http://txspc.com Texas Solar Power Company], for encouragement, expert advice, and a battery.
* Richard Smith, EC, battery, and power guy for [http://laptop.org OLPC], for expert advice, encouragement and assorted words of wisdom.  
* Wayan Vota  of [http://www.OLPCnews.com OLPC News] and his never satisfied visitors :-), that just couldn't leave solar for XO as something that could wait some more, which eventually got me going.

== Location ==
XO Solar is based in (right now partial cloudy) Austin, Texas