Smart solar panel: Wireless sensor network-based measurement and monitoring of performance parameters of solar panel

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology generates electricity in any area, where there is need, by installation of solar PV modules. So we need an instrument that can measure important parameter like open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, power, fill factor which helps in installation of solar PV modules. After installation of solar plant, it is required to monitoring all these parameters. To determine the performance of a panel or an array of panels, it is important to understand the characteristics of a particular panel under different light conditions. This can be obtained by finding the I–V characteristics of panels or arrays under different real-world environmental conditions. These parameters can vary due to the effect of panel shading, temperature, depending on solar irradiance intensity, cell type, etc. Finding the maximum power of the solar panel is important to detect faulty cells or panels and insuring that panels in arrays are matched to get maximum power. After installation of solar plant, it is also required monitoring of all the parameters of solar energy. Monitoring system parameters through wireless sensor network gives flexibility to the technician not to be in the actual area where solar panels are located. Also it allows the simultaneously performance monitoring of solar panels. In this paper, a prototype is developed and tested with application software to measure and monitor the important parameters of solar panel like voltage, current and power. This module is tested in 100-m range and observed the good communication performance.