Mechanical · Energy and thermal · Final year project
Solar Powered Water Trash Collector
A solar-powered RC boat that collects floating trash. DC pumps propel it, a servo steers it, and two solar panels keep its battery charged so it can work for long periods.
What is the Solar Powered Water Trash Collector project?
A solar-powered RC boat that collects floating trash. DC pumps propel it, a servo steers it, and two solar panels keep its battery charged so it can work for long periods.
Key facts
- Branch
- Mechanical & Automobile Engineering; also suits Mechatronics
- Type
- Final year project · Intermediate
- Suitable for
- Diploma capstone and B.E / B.Tech final year
- Build time
- 4 to 6 weeks
- Estimated component cost
- ₹7,100 – ₹10,400
- Guidance from
- ₹9,999 (Hardware / IoT Final Year)
How the Solar Powered Water Trash Collector works
- The mild steel frame and fabrication forms the base that carries every other part, so it is designed first from the load and size of the machine.
- The Servo motor rotates to an exact angle, used for locks, arms and flaps.
- The Solar panel converts sunlight into electricity to power or charge the system.
- The Mini submersible water pump moves water for irrigation, dispensing or cooling.
Block diagram
Power
Mini submersible water pumpServo motorSolar panelStructure
Frame and mountsComponents list and cost
Typical prices from Indian online stores and electronics markets (Lamington Road, Budhwar Peth, SP Road). Buy from one store where you can to save on shipping.
| Component | Qty | What it does | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini submersible water pump (12 V) | 1 | Moves water for irrigation, dispensing or cooling. | ₹180 |
| Servo motor (MG996R / SG90) | 1 | Rotates to an exact angle, used for locks, arms and flaps. | ₹350 |
| LEDs (assorted) | 1 | Indicate status. | ₹20 |
| Solar panel (10–20 W) | 1 | Converts sunlight into electricity to power or charge the system. | ₹900 |
| Rechargeable battery (12 V 1.3–7 Ah) | 1 | Stores energy and supplies power when mains is absent. | ₹650 |
| Charge controller module | 1 | Charges the battery safely and stops overcharging. | ₹250 |
| Mild steel frame and fabrication | 1 | Forms the main structure that holds all parts. | ₹2,500 |
| Welding, cutting and machining labour | 1 | Needed for this type of build. | ₹2,200 |
| Mounts, screws, nuts and small hardware | 1 | Enclosure, mounts and fasteners. | ₹300 |
| Paint, finishing and workshop consumables | 1 | Project overhead | ₹600 |
| Transport of material | 1 | Project overhead | ₹400 |
| Estimated total | Varies with brand, quality and city | ₹7,100 – ₹10,400 |
Prices are estimates for budgeting. We confirm the bill of materials when your design is frozen, and components are charged at actual cost with bills.
How much does this project cost?
| Option | What you get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Components only | You buy the parts and build it yourself | ₹7,100 – ₹10,400 |
| Hardware / IoT Final Year | Working model or guided build, Circuit diagram and bill of materials, Firmware / code with explanation | from ₹9,999 + components |
| Capstone Project (CPE) | Working project or model, Black book in MSBTE format, Step-by-step explanation | ₹9,999 + components |
| Diploma ITR | 100% working source code, Project report PDF, PPT | ₹1,999 + components |
No GST and no hidden charges. Use the cost calculator for a quote with your deadline and add-ons, or see all plans.
Download the project brief (PDF)
Summary, working, components and cost and viva questions on one branded PDF to show your guide or team. To get it developed, contact us on WhatsApp.
What you submit with this project
- Working model with circuit diagram and program code
- Project report or black book in your university's chapter order (block diagram, circuit, calculations, results)
- Presentation for the review and final viva
- Synopsis for topic approval, if your college asks for one
Mechanical viva questions on this project
What is the aim of the Solar Powered Water Trash Collector project?
A solar-powered RC boat that collects floating trash. DC pumps propel it, a servo steers it, and two solar panels keep its battery charged so it can work for long periods.
Explain the working of your project in short.
The mild steel frame and fabrication forms the base that carries every other part, so it is designed first from the load and size of the machine. The Servo motor rotates to an exact angle, used for locks, arms and flaps. The Solar panel converts sunlight into electricity to power or charge the system. The Mini submersible water pump moves water for irrigation, dispensing or cooling.
How is the pump switched by the controller?
Through a relay or MOSFET, because the pump runs at 12 V and draws more current than the controller pin can provide.
How is a servo motor controlled?
With a PWM signal at 50 Hz. A pulse of 1 ms gives about 0°, 1.5 ms gives 90° and 2 ms gives 180°. The internal feedback potentiometer holds the angle.
Why is a resistor connected in series with an LED?
It limits the current to a safe value (about 10–20 mA). Without it, the LED would draw too much current and burn out. R = (supply voltage − LED voltage) ÷ current.
What is the efficiency of a typical solar panel?
Commercial polycrystalline panels convert about 15–17% and monocrystalline about 18–22% of sunlight into electricity. Output depends on sunlight, angle and temperature.
How do you calculate battery backup time?
Backup time (hours) ≈ battery capacity (Ah) × voltage × 0.8 efficiency ÷ load power (W). For example, 12 V 7 Ah at 20 W gives about 3.3 hours.
Which material did you select for the main parts and why?
Mild steel (MS) is used for the frame because it is strong, cheap, easy to cut and weld and available everywhere. Shafts are made of EN8 or bright mild steel for strength, and parts that do not carry load can be aluminium or acrylic to reduce weight.
What factor of safety did you take in your design?
A factor of safety of 2 to 3 is taken for static parts and 3 to 5 for parts under shock or fatigue loading. Allowable stress = yield strength ÷ factor of safety, and each part is checked against it.
How did you estimate the cost of the project?
The cost is the sum of raw material, bought-out parts, machining or fabrication and overheads. Our estimate for this model is about ₹7,100 to ₹10,400, depending on size, material and the workshop rates in your city.
Which manufacturing processes were used?
Cutting and grinding of sections, arc or MIG welding of the frame, drilling for mounting holes, followed by assembly, alignment and painting.
Is your system open-loop or closed-loop?
Mainly open-loop: the controller runs the actuators for a set time or number of steps. Adding a sensor for feedback would make it closed-loop and more accurate.
Related projects
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Want to build Solar Powered Water Trash Collector?
Send your college, deadline and team size. We confirm the scope, cost and what you will submit.