NIT Rourkela's Low-Cost Tech Boosts Solar Power Efficiency

Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, India, have developed a cost-effective technology to enhance the efficiency and reliability of solar power systems. Led by Associate Professor Susovon Samanta, the team's innovation optimizes power extraction from solar panels under fluctuating weather conditions. Their voltage sensor-based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) method eliminates the need for current sensors, reducing system complexity and cost. This approach uses a simple voltage sensor to accurately track the Maximum Power Point (MPP), improving tracking efficiency and energy harvesting. The team's method minimizes power fluctuations and responds quickly to changes in sunlight and temperature, maintaining peak efficiency. This innovation can be applied in solar-powered IoT devices, affordable consumer solar products, and microgrid and off-grid energy solutions. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) supported the team under the Clean Energy Research Initiative (CERI), and they have been granted a patent for their innovation.