IoT Solution for Solar Energy Harvesting

Ans. Cost-Efficiency! The master –slave architecture brings down the cost, which will otherwise be incurred in setting-up high speed network connection between the individual tracker-controllers and the cloud.

Field-deployments of a Solar Energy Project are spread across acres of land. In order to achieve the desired RoI, cost of deployments becomes a critical factor. In the master-slave architecture, we ensure that the individual tracker-controllers (Slaves) of the Solar Panels are connected to a dedicated Master Controller (IoT Gateway) through a low cost ZigBee network for local communications. A single master controller can be connected to and handle numerous (depending upon the application requirement) trackers at a time.

In such a system, the data aggregated from various trackers is managed locally by the master controller. The data is later forwarded to the server by the master controller. Thus the number of connections made to the server is reduced considerably. The Master Controller (or the IoT Gateway) is then connected to the Cloud using a high speed 4G connection. Depending on the scale of the deployments of the Solar Panels, we can design a network of multiple Master and Slave tracker-controllers. Such a system design not only helps in improving the network efficiency but also helps in optimizing the efficiency and speed of the server.

Ans. Yes, it does. We have a trigger-based OTA software & security updating system. The Master controller plays the key role in firmware update.

The Master Controller checks the SCADA server for new firmware for itself as well as for the Slave Trackers. Depending on the trigger the Master controller updates itself and also updates the trackers over ZigBee.

Ans.Through the SCADA system, we have a provision for you to test a particular OTA software /security update before releasing the same across the system. An update can be tested in selected Master Controllers before updating all the Master Gateways and Slave Controllers.

Ans.Our Solar Energy Harvesting solution can be termed “fully scalable”, especially with respect to the hardware, the software, network & storage capacity etc. Scalability is achieved by dividing the system into subsystems consisting of smaller, manageable units, based on the geographical location.

At the Site level: Depending on the total area of the site, an optimal network of master controllers and slave trackers are designed based on key requirements such as performance, efficiency, and deployment costs. In case, the area of the solar field increases post-the initial deployment phase, additional devices can be added to the existing network, as per the requirement.

At the SCADA System level: Data in a typical SCADA system is managed and stored region-wise. Depending on the number of devices connected to the SCADA system, the database can be scaled up to cater to the new storage needs.

At the Software level: Software scalability enables addition of new features, new control functions or any extra parameters to be monitored, to the existing system. The rate at which data gets updated to the SCADA can also be modified here.

Ans.One of the key features of the Solar Position Algorithm is that it ensures that the tracker aligns the Solar Panel in an angle that provides maximum exposure to the Sunlight at any given time of the day.

The algorithm uses parameters like the Latitude, Longitude, Altitude, Time Zone, Date and Time related to the region where the panels are deployed. It calculates the position of the sun throughout the day.

The tracker-controllers use this data and ensure that the inclinometer attached to the solar panels adjusts the position of the Solar Panel for maximum exposure. Maximum Exposure is the secret sauce for optimum efficiency and power output.

Ans.In our IoT enabled solar energy harvesting solution, the Master Controller (IoT Gateway Device) is designed to hold latest data of up to last 7 days before it is overwritten.

Thus, in case there is cloud connectivity or any other failure associated with Master Controller, the latest data of past 7 days is available to ensure business continuity and also allow stand time for issue resolution. Once the connection is re-established, all the stored packets are forwarded to the cloud and deleted from gateway as and when an acknowledgement message is received from the cloud.

Ans. The current system of Solar Panel Trackers uses supply from dedicated power grids. We can also customize the system to work on integrated solar panels for various off-grid operations, to make the system more power efficient.

Ans. Definitely, yes. The local server can be easily hosted on any secure 3rd party cloud services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform as per your requirements.

Ans. The tracker captures data at intervals of 1 sec. The captured data is sent to the Master controller with ‘capture timestamps’. This data is then forward by the Master controllers to the SCADA system for monitoring. Depending on the application requirements, the intervals at which data is captured can be modified.

Ans. In extreme weather conditions such as strong wind or heavy rainfall, the solar panels are brought to a stable, horizontal position called “stow position”.

These panels can be brought to the stow position either manually (through the SCADA interface) or automatically by installing wind sensors in the master controller.

Based on the inputs from the wind sensors, the algorithm running within the Master Controller issues ‘stow position’ command to all the slave trackers

Ans. Our team behind IoT Solar Energy harvesting Solution comprises of:

Experienced hardware and software Engineers with extensive experience in embedded product development, Test and validation Engineers, SCADA solution experts, Cloud Solutions Architects ,Mobile App/Web Developers, UI/HMI Designers.

We also have Subject Matter Experts with extensive experience in the Renewable Energy and Industrial Automation industries.