Embedded data acquisition systems for the logging and monitoring of pv parameters

Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) have already been used to acquire signals that range from medical, renewable energy, audio, etc. Photovoltaic PV) produced energy signals regularly vary with the amount of received solar irradiance and environmental factors such as the solar panel temperatures. Users with the interest of knowing the degree of PV output energy variations often use online solar maps and climatic records to build and evaluate solar profiles. This research proposes to take advantage of the dropping prices and high performance of microcontrollers to build aa DAS that will be used to monitor and logs PV produced power together with surrounding temperature values. The microcontroller circuit is interfaced to a voltage /current detector, temperature sensor and an optional battery detection circuit. The logging aspect will also enable solar profiling of received solar irradiance and PV panel temperatures, which will then reduce the reliance upon solar maps and climatic data that are not always free. By using a DAS, users will be able to monitor and build their custom solar profiles based on received solar irradiance together with temperature information. The stored records or live information will be useful in the maintenance or upgrades of Photovoltaic energy systems.