How do we plan to collaborate?
Project IdeasWater Storage Tank
Modular Unit encompassing the the solar panel and motor Develop a filtration aspect of the design |
Initial ThoughtsMake a wheeled cart solar pumping station that can be moved from source to source as well as connected in series for higher pressure demands or parallel for higher flow demands.
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Final Thoughts(To be updated)
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Decision MatrixAfter discussing the different routes we could take with this project, we used a decision matrix to help us decide which project would make the most sense. Focusing on the Water Storage System and the Solar Pump Station made the most sense from this tool. We then met with experts to discuss which routes would be best.
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Research EffortsInitial communication has been made with the previous contacts. We have been in correspondence with Nate Heston, who advised us on the feasibility of our project and gave us insight on where previous classes and Brown left off. He advised us to narrow down to one part of the irrigation system and told us that he would provide support in whichever idea we decided to focus on.
We were also put in contact with a variety of people who provided insight on the project before, including Clayton Carley (on the ground in Ghana) and Carol V. Brown (Ghana Country Manager for Burro). We are currently talking with these advisors to develop a direction and gain more insight on the needs of the Ghanaian people. |
Expert DiscussionNathan Heston is a Cal Poly professor that is helping us get this project in the direction we are looking to go. He has a background in creating sustainable technologies for communities abroad. We were encouraged to pick one part of the proposed system to focus on.
He was excited about the tank aspect of the design and recommended that we steer away from simply attaching a solar panel to a motor. Nathan also mentioned the use of local supplies, available in Ghana, in the development of the future product. |
Prototyping EffortsWe have combined prototypes of the Brown team's initiative as well as adding on our own prototype of a solar pump.
We have tested the solar panels, drip irrigation components, tank, and actual implementation. To follow our processes and experiments, check out our blog. Here is a diagram of our system: P: Hydraulic Pressure Gauge A: Electrical Ammeter V: Electrical Voltmeter PV: Photovoltaic Panel |
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Associated Project Links
Previous Cal Poly Site: http://burrogravityirrigation.weebly.com
Brown Site: https://browndripirrigation.wordpress.com
Brown Site: https://browndripirrigation.wordpress.com