A Novel Design of a Low-Cost SCADA System for Monitoring Standalone Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract

Standalone photovoltaic (PV) systems are pivotal in the global transition towards sustainable energy, offering reductions in fossil fuel dependence and helping homes and businesses lower electricity costs. Key to optimizing the performance and efficiency of standalone systems are supervisory control and data logging (SCADA) systems. They monitor and record operational data such as power output, facilitating early detection of potential issues. This paper introduced a novel design for both the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and data storage in a SCADA system for standalone PV systems, addressing two crucial aspects: real-time monitoring and efficient data retrieval, both at very low cost. The proposed design utilized Bluetooth Low Energy technology to transmit voltage and current data from the PV panel to a mobile application, marking a departure from traditional HMI approaches. This method enabled historical data analysis for trend identification. Additionally, the system intermittently transferred collected data to a cost-effective cloud storage service via Wi-Fi, allowing for substantial data storage at no cost. Remote data storage, another key feature of this design, simplifies data retrieval, which is particularly beneficial for systems in rural areas. Emphasizing open-source development, this design ensured flexibility and customization options. To demonstrate its practical effectiveness of the design, a one-day power curve of the PV system and the battery voltage data are presented, showcasing the design's capability in handling extensive and remote data storage.