Our project is to develop a rugged and low-cost power system using solar energy generated from solar panels to provide power for a satellite communications system and a laptop, generously provided by our sponsor, Lenovo Corporation, for use in areas of rural Africa with limited or nonexistent electrical or network infrastructure.
Working in conjunction with a student team from MSU’s Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media who will design the satellite access, we aim to provide people in rural Africa with computer and internet access in order to improve their quality of life by opening up new commercial, educational, health, and social opportunities. This project is consistent with MSU’s mission to convey knowledge and apply research for the benefit of the public as well as Lenovo Corporation’s social responsibility goals.
	 We have developed a power delivery system that is a fraction of the cost of commercially available systems while still maintaining functionality, safety, robustness, and usability of these more expensive systems.  The system will be able to operate with minimal training and user intervention and will allow the use of the laptop and a satellite communications link for an adequate duration of time during a 24-hour time period.
	The future implications of this project are enormous as it provides a base for additional research on the impact of internet access on developing nations.

http://www.egr.msu.edu/classes/ece480/goodman/spring08/group03