Solar-powered smart monitoring system for occupancy and energy use in lecture rooms

Abstract

Electricity consumption in residential and public buildings has become a concern recently. Ambient temperature and humidity levels play a crucial role in enhancing the efficacy of tasks performed within an occupancy area. Due to the discomfort caused by hot weather conditions in tropical regions, the use of cooling systems is common practice to help normalize the environmental temperature for the comfort of the occupants. However, inefficient air conditioner usage, especially when rooms are unoccupied, leads to excessive energy consumption and high electricity costs. To address this issue, this paper proposes an Arduino-based solar-powered smart monitoring system for occupancy and energy use in lecture rooms. The system consists of two solar-powered Arduino boards (Wemos D1 and AI-Thinker camera). The Wemos D1 integrates a temperature sensor and a PIR motion sensor to monitor environmental conditions, while the AI-Thinker camera provides image-based occupancy verification via Telegram. Real-time data transmission is enabled through Blynk and Telegram applications, allowing remote monitoring of room conditions. Results show that the system achieved 41.12 % weekly energy savings, effectively reducing carbon footprints and operational costs. The prototype conforms with SDGs climate action and clean energy initiatives, demonstrating its potential for sustainable energy management in lecture rooms.