DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SOLAR OPERATED BLENDER FOR THE YIPAALA COMMUNITY IN THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA

This design is as a result of converting an electrically operated blender to a solar operated one for use in the Yipaala community in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Ghana in West Africa that has no access to electricity. This report outlines systematic approach to realizing the design and presents the results of calculations of the design parameters as well as the final design of the solar operated blender. The base of the blender is the housing which contains the D.C. motor as well as the switch. The individual components of the blender are assembled together and then connected to a solar panel. When the sun rays fall on the solar panel, it produces a direct current which causes the D.C. motor to operate, thereby turning the blade of the blender for the blender to work. The hourly variations of the temperature in this community is between 11.00 and 15.00 hours local time and this was considered as a good sun hours for the design since the blender has the ability to grind about 5 grams of tomatoes and other ingredients reasonably and rapidly for almost 2 hours in a day. Also, the materials used for the design are readily available on the local market and at reasonable prices, thereby making the design affordable for the people since most of them are low income earners