Real-time Solar Power Optimization and Energy Monitoring System with Maximum Power Point Tracking

Abstract

The increasing global demand for electricity underscores the need to transition from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives like solar energy. Despite solar power's advantages of abundance, sustainability, and quiet operation, environmental factors such as temperature and irradiance affect the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems. This study utilizes the Perturb and Observe (P&O) Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) approach to optimize a PV panel, validated through a cost-effective Arduino-based hardware model. The approach integrates simulation and practical testing, offering insights into energy production variations under diverse conditions, with parameters continuously monitored and updated on a web server.