IoT Based Thermal Management of Solar PV
Strong solar radiation and high ambient temperature can induce an elevated Photovoltaic (PV) cell operating temperature, which is normally negative for its life span and power output. Different temperature dependences for PV performance have been reported and it has been found that the efficiency of
2025-06-28 16:33:51 - Adil Khan
IoT Based Thermal Management of Solar PV
Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject SummaryStrong solar radiation and high ambient temperature can induce an elevated Photovoltaic (PV) cell operating temperature, which is normally negative for its life span and power output. Different temperature dependences for PV performance have been reported and it has been found that the efficiency of crystalline silicon cells drops at a rate of around 0.45%/°C.
So we require a system that can reduce the temperature of solar panel which will enhance the output of the panel and increase the efficiency of the system.
Our motivation is to build an IoT based thermal management system that will control the temperature of the panel and study the parameters of two different Solar panels having different cooling techniques.
This system will also compare the yield and parameters of both panels and will help us to study the thermal effect on the output of a system.
The data will be displayed on app and can be accessed from anywhere.
Project ObjectivesOur objective is to develope an IoT based system through which a comparision between two modules of solar panel can be carried out. With the help of this comparrision we can study the thermal behavior or thermal effect on the solar cell. From the studies it is seen that the efficiency of the panel reduces by 0.45% per ºC as the temperature of cell rises from 25 ºC. So our objective is to maintain the cell temperature around 25ºC and study the behaviour and carry out a comparision when a water cooling techniques is applied. Our objective is to enhance the efficiency of the solar pv system by maintaing the temperature by using such technique will also be cost efficient and environment friendly.
Project Implementation MethodIn this project we will use four solar panel plates and we will two of them will be connected and make one module and will be intergrated with copper piping at the back. Other two plates will be connect together. Then we will connect the temperature sensor with the panel which will be connected to a microcontroller. The micro-controller will be fetching the data of both modules. It will be fetching temperature, irridance, voltage and current. When the temperature of cell will increase 25ºC, the water will start to flow through the pipes mounted at back of the module one. Then the mobile app which will be fetching data from the cloud, which was uploaded to cloud by the micro-controller. The app will display the parameters and store the data for further study. The app will plot an I-V curve on the bais of which yeild of both panels will be compared and the efficiency of the cooling technique will be measured.
Runtime monitoring of parameters of Solar PV like voltage, current, power, irradiance, temperature, ambient temperature and IV curve.
Compare the parameters of different panels using different cooling techniques.
With the help of cooling technique the output of the system will be enhanced.
Record of data that will help to study the thermal behaviour of the solar panels.
Data will be available on mobile phone and can be accessed from anywhere.
Personal awareness.
Technical Details of Final DeliverableThis real time system will be able to display followings on mobile application:
Voltage
Current
Power
Irradiance
Temperature of panel
Ambient temperature
IV Curve on the basis of irradiance and temperature
Comparison between the yield of both panels
Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other Industries Others Core Technology OthersOther Technologies Internet of Things (IoT)Sustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 59500 | |||
| Micro-controller (Raspberry Pi 4 B) | Equipment | 1 | 18000 | 18000 |
| Solar Plates | Equipment | 4 | 5000 | 20000 |
| Piping of Panels | Equipment | 2 | 3000 | 6000 |
| Cables | Equipment | 1 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Sensors | Equipment | 2 | 2500 | 5000 |
| DC Motor | Equipment | 1 | 1500 | 1500 |
| Simulation software | Equipment | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Cloud interfacing | Equipment | 1 | 5000 | 5000 |