Smart Solar Panel Monitoring and Fault Identification using IoT

Solar photovoltaic is one of the popular renewable technologies. The reliability of solar system mainly depends on the operation and maintenance which requires continuous monitoring of solar panels. This project focuses on the development and implementation of a smart solar monitoring and fault identification system using IoT technology. The system utilizes a combination of sensors, microcontroller and wireless communication to collect critical data such as voltage, temperature, humidity and other parameters. This data is then analyzed to plot Voltage-Current (V-I) and Power-Voltage (P-V) characteristics, identify performance issues and hence detect faults such as open circuit, short circuit and shading effects. An algorithm is developed for ESP32 microcontroller equipped with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, that facilitates seamless data transmission to a remote server for centralized monitoring and analysis. Overall, the smart solar monitoring system offers a comprehensive solution for optimizing solar PV system performance and advancing renewable energy technologies.