Financial feasibility analysis of a micro-controller based solar powered rickshaw

This paper presents financial feasibility analysis of a micro-controller based solar powered tricycle or rickshaw for Bangladesh. The main components of the Rickshaw are: rickshaw structure, a photovoltaic array, a battery bank, a battery charge controller, PIC micro-controllers and a DC motor. Here PIC micro-controllers are used to control the duty cycle and speed of the DC motor. The financial feasibility analysis have been done using standard methods of engineering econometrics such as Net Present Worth (NPW), Benefit-to-Cost Ratio (BCR) and Payback Periods (PP) methods. From the numerical analysis, it has been found that the proposed micro-controller based solar power rickshaw is financially feasible and Life cycle unit cost of the system is lowest compared to grid powered battery driven auto rickshaw.