Design and development of solar energy powered maize milling machine

Abstract

This paper deals with the design and development of a solar energy-based small-scale maize milling machine. This system forms an alternative power source in places of no electricity and where the population is scattered with the need to produce only a limited amount of milled flour daily for a small family. The system consists of a photovoltaic array, mounting frame, energy storing device, invertor, charge controller and a portable domestic mill of 8–10 kg maize milling per hour capacity. The system was tested in Udaipur, Rajasthan (latitude, 24.5854°N), and the results indicated a good performance of the system with a net present worth of Rs.1,63,486 and a benefit to a cost ratio of 1.92. Along with getting complete returns in around four years, the system made a total saving of Rs.19,430.4 per year with solar milling of maize rather than going with the conventional energy sources option for power generation.