Solar Panel Performance Monitoring System Using Arduino Uno for Energy Optimization
Keywords:
Solar Panels , Arduino Uno, Internet Of Things, Performance Monitoring, Daily EnergyAbstract
This study designs and tests an Arduino Uno-based solar panel performance monitoring system to support energy optimization in small to medium-scale solar power plants. The system measures DC voltage and DC current, calculates output power, and records panel temperature and air quality indicators as supporting parameters for interpreting performance changes. Data is collected periodically every 60 seconds and sent via Wi-Fi to a server for time series storage, enabling remote monitoring. Calibration is performed by comparing sensor readings against a multimeter and DC clamp meter under several operating conditions. The calibration results show an average voltage error of 0.6 percent to 1.2 percent in the range of 12 V to 21 V, and an average current error of 1.5 percent to 4.5 percent in the range of 2 A to 6 A. Field testing on an off-grid configuration using a 100 Wp module showed that the system was capable of generating daily performance data and calculating daily energy of 0.46 kWh on a sunny day, 0.27 kWh on a cloudy day with short rain, and 0.41 kWh on a sunny day with higher air quality indicators. Communication performance showed a recording latency of 1 to 4 seconds and a packet loss of 1 percent to 3 percent per day. A disturbance test with approximately 30 percent shading of the module for 10 minutes reduced the power from a range of 75 W to 80 W to 55 W to 58 W and returned to near normal after the disturbance was removed. These results indicate that the system can be used for operational monitoring, energy recording, and data-based performance change detection.
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