DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A SOLAR GENERATOR WITH A BIOMETRIC SECURED SMART DEVICES CHARGING CHAMBER

ABSTRACT Access to reliable electricity for charging smart devices remains a critical challenge in rural and semi-urban areas of Nigeria, where grid power is either unavailable or highly unreliable. Public charging facilities, where available, often lack adequate security measures, leading to device theft and unauthorized usage. This project addresses these challenges through the design and construction of a Solar generator with a biometric secured smart devices charging chamber. The system comprises 180W photovoltaic solar panels,by means 3 pics of 60W solar panels, connected in parallel, a 12V, 120Ah lithium-ion battery bank for energy storage, a 60A (MPPT) Maximum Power Point Tracking charge controller for optimal charging efficiency, and a 1.5 kVA pure sine wave inverter for clean power delivery. Security and access control are achieved through fingerprint authentication managed by an Arduino Uno microcontroller, which regulates customer registiration. The system incorporates GSM-based remote monitoring capabilities for real-time administrative oversight and an Real-Time Clock module for time-based access management, enabling both permanent user registration and temporary visitor access with configurable time limits. The design methodology involved comprehensive load analysis, solar resource assessment, component sizing calculations, and integration of control systems. Implementation results demonstrate successful biometric authentication, reliable solar power generation with daily output capacity exceeding 1.44 kWh under optimal conditions, and secure multi-device charging capability. The system provides a sustainable, secure, and economically viable solution for public device charging in areas with limited electricity access, with practical applications in schools, markets, community centers, and small businesses.