Design and Implementation of Real-Time Monitoring System for Building-integrated Photovoltaic System

Abstract

Photovoltaic systems are used to provide electricity to people who are difficult to reach by the grid due to their location in inaccessible places or who consume very little energy. The need to provide all of the users' energy demands characterizes an independent installation. Photovoltaic modules, a charge controller, a storage system (rechargeable batteries), and a voltage inverter are among its components. In recent years, the Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems have the most used in home electrification. To make a easy BIPV system, there is a need to adopt digital technologies such as the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing. In this study, we present the design and implementation of a real-time monitoring solution applicable to photovoltaic self-consumption or the BIPV system using the IoT technology. A detailed description of the proposed system at the hardware level is provided, and extended information on the communication characteristics and sensors data is also included. We will present a low-cost system to monitor solar energy production and the battery energy. This method based on open source internet of things solution that could collect in intelligent manner and monitor in real-time the produced power and environmental conditions via a mobile application and local web server for remote user. The solution is designed as a prototype test bench that could be extended to monitor large scale photovoltaic stations.