Low-Cost Bioethanol Distiller with PV Modules as Educational Media in Renewable Energy Vocational Schools

Abstract

The transition to renewable energy is crucial for meeting rising global energy demand while mitigating climate change. Bioethanol, a renewable fuel produced from biomass, is widely used to reduce emissions in the transport sector. This study develops a low-cost bioethanol distiller integrated with photovoltaic (PV) modules as a hands-on educational tool for vocational students. The distiller was constructed from affordable, locally available materials and powered by a small off-grid PV system. Experimental trials were conducted using fermented feedstock to produce ethanol, measuring output volume, purity, energy consumption, and system efficiency. The results show that the solar-powered distiller can produce high-purity ethanol (approximately 75–90% v/v) at a rate of about 0.4–0.5 L per batch (5 L feed of 10% ethanol) in 2 hours. The electrical energy consumption per batch 600 Wh was supplied entirely by a 150 WP solar panel and battery storage. The ethanol produced is suitable as a fuel blend, and the system demonstrated an energy-efficient operation for its scale. Students engaging with the distiller reported improved understanding of biofuel production and solar energy integration. In conclusion, the proposed system provides a cost-effective and sustainable learning media for renewable energy education, illustrating key concepts of biofuel production and solar power utilization. This low-cost distiller can be readily adopted in renewable energy vocational schools and scaled for broader educational outreach and community-level bioethanol production.