Energy harvesting for a bicycle

A battery charging system for a bicycle comprising:

• a platform comprising a mounting arrangement adapted to be mounted to the bicycle;
• a solar cell array arranged on the platform and comprising at least a first branch and a second branch connected in parallel, each of the first and second branches comprising respective first and second pluralities of solar cells connected in series, wherein the first and second branches have first and second lengths respectively, wherein the first and second lengths are less than 160 mm;
• and
• a battery charging unit arranged on the platform and operatively connected to the first and second branches, wherein the battery charging unit is operative to transmit power to a battery at a voltage of between 6.0 and 8.4 volts,
• wherein the voltage comprises a second voltage, and wherein the battery charging unit further comprises:
• a capacitor operatively connected to the solar cell array, wherein the capacitor is operative to store energy transmitted from the solar cell array, and wherein the capacitor stores the energy at a first voltage;
• a boost converter operatively connected to the capacitor, wherein the boost converter is operative to step up the first voltage to the second voltage;
• and
• a microcontroller operatively connected to the capacitor and to the boost converter, wherein the microcontroller is operative to signal the boost converter to transmit power to a battery, and wherein the microcontroller is operative to receive power from the capacitor, and
• wherein the PMIC is operatively connected between the capacitor and microcontroller, and the PMIC is operative to allow power flow from the capacitor to the microcontroller when the first voltage exceeds a first predetermined value, and wherein the PMIC is operative to stop power flow from the microcontroller when the first voltage drops below a second predetermined value.