How to effectively make a self-sustainable arduino project

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello. I am currently working on a senior project where I have encased an arduino to perform a specific task. The arduino must be mobile and self sufficient. Currently I have a solar panel and am unsure whether I should connect it directly to the arduino or through a battery. As I am new to electronics the wiring is going to be tricky. The real dilemma is fitting everything inside a limited space. I could 3D print a second case if more space is needed. Below I have pictures of my project

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2

The arduino must be mobile and self sufficient.

Self-sufficient? I've never seen a computer that wasn't.

and am unsure whether I should connect it directly to the arduino or through a battery.

Does the sun ever go down?

As I am new to electronics the wiring is going to be tricky.

I can see why.

The real dilemma is fitting everything inside a limited space.

NASA deals with that all the time.

I could 3D print a second case if more space is needed.

Or one larger one.

Below I have pictures of my project

Below what? I didn't see any pictures.

How is this a programming issue?

3

I would go directly to the battery; Arduino systems require 6-12v dc to function and give the 5v pin full power. Anything less than 6v will NOT give the 5v pin (which is required to operate all sensors and off-board functions) a full 5v (ie, slow and barely operable sensors, servos, etc.). If the battery is charged off the Arduino, the battery will get only 5v (and give even less than the 5v because batteries give less power than they are charged with). Therefore, a loop between charging and discharging will eventually give no readable power.

4

Oh. One more thing. Make sure your battery will last long enough till the next sunrise too.

5

What comes to my mind is a solar charge controller that will help you charge your battery. I am not too sure where to look for ICs that control charging for your particular solar panel but this complete product seems cheap enough and provides USB and charges a backup battery so you can power your project with it and forget about managing the solar panel:

https://11main.com/47stphoto/opteka-4000mah-solar-power-battery-mobile-iphone-ipad-ipod-android-phone-charger/p/1466996?ref=DF4rcI_udU6GfakKSQwtHg&kpid=1466996&cid=cse_gg_tech-%26-gadgets__[pla]-(tg)_55210361195&utm_source=gg&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=_&utm_content=11_main&utm_campaign=[pla]-(tg)&ref=DF4rcI_udU6GfakKSQwtHg&kpid=1466996

There should be plenty of similar devices around the internet.

6

PaulS:
Does the sun ever go down?

I can answer that one.

http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=307903.0

The short answer is: yes, according to my measurements.

7

You need a diode between the solar panel and battery to make sure the battery doesn't discharge into the panel if/when the sun goes down (currently under dispute). Then you also need a shunt regulator to make sure you don't overcharge the battery; I'd suggest using a TL431 which is a pretty neat/simple chip for precision voltage control. An alternative to a TL431 shunt regulator would be to monitor the battery voltage with your Arduino and program the Arduino to burn current (light up LEDs, whatever) if the battery is overcharging.

8

Have you done any calculations to see if that small solar panel can provide enough energy for your project?

Does it matter if the Arduino stops due to a shortage of energy?

...R

9

Three posts of the same question, in the same section?

That's probably the most inept cross-posting I've seen in a while.

DO NOT CROSS-POST - CROSS-POSTING WASTES TIME.