Remote sensor network for off-grid renewable energy monitoring

Abstract

The adoption of solar technology and subsequent investments in solar installations is a low polluting power source alternative that can mitigate the dangers raised by greenhouse gas emissions and increase universal electricity access in a modern world where power generation plays a vital role in the world countries' economies. This paper presents and discusses the development of a cost effective remote sensing network for the continuous acquisition of remote energy yields and performance measures of a network of installed solar power systems. As a new innovative solution that demonstrates a low cost mechanism using existing network infrastructures, the remote sensor system being developed presents the following key benefits: Access to a Photovoltaic (PV) system from anywhere through the use of the Internet, reports of power output and energy production trends, verification of system operation, collection of data for service and maintenance planning and the use of least cost devices to enable replicability of the solution.