Efficient use of solar chargers with the help of ambient light sensors on smartphones

This paper discusses the possibilities to measure the amount of light with the help of portable devices such as mobile phones and tablets. Focus is directed to the accuracy of the ambient light sensor on smartphones in order to obtain the illuminance indoors and the solar radiation level outdoors. In general, information on the ambient conditions is vital to improve the performance of solar chargers. For example, if users are able to allocate beneficial locations to deploy solar chargers inside buildings, up to 100 times more energy can be gathered during the same periodic time. Similarly, under outdoor environmental conditions, solar modules can be aligned better towards the sun to increase the possible amount of output power. We analyse the accuracy of ambient light sensors which are available in today’s low-cost and upper-class smartphones. Additionally, we present calibration strategies for ambient light sensors in order to minimise the error between conventional measurement equipment and mobile phones.