Solar MPPT System with Real-time Efficiency Monitoring

Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering)

Student Name: [Your Name]

Roll Number: [Your Roll Number]

Project Guide: [Guide Name]

B.E. Final Year Project

Table of Contents

1. Problem Statement
2. Objectives
3. Literature Review
4. System Design
5. Components & Budget
6. Implementation Plan
7. Feasibility Analysis
8. Expected Outcomes
9. Conclusion

PROBLEM DEFINITION

Evaluation Criteria 1: Problem Definition Clearly Stated ✓

Solar panels operate at only 30-40% efficiency without MPPT controllers

🌤️

Power output varies significantly with environmental conditions (temperature, irradiance, shading)

📊

Manual monitoring leads to undetected performance issues and maintenance delays

📉

Energy losses of 15-30% in traditional PWM controllers compared to MPPT

📱

Difficulty in optimizing performance remotely without real-time data access

🔧

Lack of real-time data for informed maintenance and troubleshooting decisions

Current Challenges in Solar PV Systems

Power Losses Breakdown

Shading Effects: 7%
Dust & Dirt: 2-7%
Temperature (per °C above 25°C): 0.5%
PWM vs MPPT: 15-30%

Monitoring Challenges

  • No real-time performance data
  • Reactive maintenance approach
  • Inability to track efficiency trends
  • No remote diagnostic capabilities

OBJECTIVES CLEARLY DEFINED

Evaluation Criteria 2: Objectives Clearly Defined ✓

Primary Objective

Design and implement an MPPT charge controller with integrated real-time efficiency monitoring system

Secondary Objectives

1

Achieve 25-30% improvement in power extraction compared to PWM controllers

2

Implement IoT-based remote monitoring using ESP32/Arduino platform

3

Develop web/mobile dashboard for real-time data visualization

4

Enable predictive maintenance through continuous monitoring

5

Cost-effective solution under ₹15,000 budget

Literature Review

MPPT Algorithms

  • Perturb & Observe (P&O) - Simple implementation, 95%+ efficiency
  • Incremental Conductance - Better performance under varying conditions
  • Fuzzy Logic Control - Advanced but complex implementation

IoT in Solar Systems

  • ESP32/Arduino-based monitoring solutions
  • Cloud platforms: Blynk, ThingSpeak, AWS IoT
  • Real-time data acquisition and analysis

Research Gaps

  • Cost-effective integrated MPPT+IoT solutions
  • Real-time efficiency optimization
  • User-friendly monitoring interfaces

System Architecture

☀️
Solar Panel
(12V/24V)
MPPT Controller
(10A-30A)
🔋
Battery/Load

Sensors & Monitoring

📊 Voltage
⚡ Current
🌡️ Temperature
☀️ LDR
🖥️
ESP32/Arduino
Microcontroller
☁️
IoT Cloud
(WiFi/Internet)
📱
Web/Mobile
Dashboard

Hardware Components & Specifications

Component
Specifications
Cost Range (₹)
Solar Panel
12V/24V, 50W-150W
2,000 - 6,000
MPPT Controller
10A-30A, PWM/MPPT
3,000 - 7,000
ESP32/Arduino
WiFi enabled, GPIO pins
300 - 900
Voltage Sensor
DC 0-25V measurement
200 - 400
Current Sensor
ACS712 (5A/20A/30A)
300 - 600
Temperature Sensor
DS18B20 (-55°C to +125°C)
200 - 400
Display
16x2 LCD/OLED
200 - 700
Total Budget
Complete System
8,000 - 16,000

Software Implementation

🔄 MPPT Algorithm

  • Perturb & Observe (P&O) method
  • Continuous power point tracking
  • Adaptive step size optimization
  • Maximum power point detection

📊 Data Logging

  • Real-time sensor data acquisition
  • Efficiency calculations
  • Historical data storage
  • Performance trend analysis

🌐 IoT Connectivity

  • WiFi communication setup
  • Blynk/ThingSpeak integration
  • Cloud data synchronization
  • Remote monitoring capabilities

📱 User Interface

  • Web dashboard development
  • Mobile app interface
  • Real-time data visualization
  • Alert and notification system

PROJECT FEASIBILITY - TECHNICAL

Evaluation Criteria 3: Overall Project Idea is Feasible ✓

Well-established MPPT Algorithms

P&O and Incremental Conductance algorithms are widely documented and proven effective

ESP32/Arduino Platform Support

Extensive libraries, community support, and development resources available

IoT Libraries & Platforms

Blynk, ThingSpeak, and custom IoT solutions readily available and documented

Sensor Integration

Voltage, current, and temperature sensors have straightforward interfacing methods

Proven DIY Implementations

Multiple successful student and hobbyist projects demonstrate technical feasibility

Feasibility Analysis - Economic & Time

💰 Economic Feasibility

Components easily available in Indian market (Amazon, Flipkart, local vendors)

Total project cost under ₹15,000 - affordable for B.E. project budget

ROI achievable through 25-30% improved efficiency over traditional systems

⏰ Time Feasibility

6-month project timeline is realistic and achievable

Phase-wise implementation allows systematic progress tracking

Modular design enables incremental development and testing

Implementation Timeline (6 Months)

1-2

Literature Review & Procurement

Research study, component selection, and purchasing

3

Hardware Assembly & Testing

Circuit design, PCB development, initial component testing

4

MPPT Algorithm Implementation

Coding P&O algorithm, controller programming, efficiency optimization

5

IoT Integration & Monitoring

WiFi connectivity, cloud setup, dashboard development

6

Testing & Documentation

System validation, performance testing, project report

Expected Outcomes & Benefits

📈

Performance Improvement

25-30% increase in power extraction efficiency compared to PWM controllers

📊

Real-time Monitoring

Continuous system performance tracking with instant access to key metrics

📱

Remote Access

Web and mobile dashboard for monitoring system from anywhere

💰

Cost-effective Solution

Affordable alternative to expensive commercial MPPT monitoring systems

🎓

Educational Value

Hands-on experience with renewable energy systems and IoT integration

🔧

Predictive Maintenance

Early detection of system issues through continuous monitoring and alerts

Innovation & Contribution

🔄

Integrated MPPT + IoT Solution

Combining maximum power point tracking with real-time monitoring in a single, cost-effective package

🌍

Developing Market Focus

Designed specifically for cost-conscious implementations in developing economies like India

🎓

Educational Platform

Serves as learning tool for students interested in renewable energy and IoT technologies

📏

Scalable Architecture

Modular design allows adaptation for various solar panel configurations and applications

Risk Assessment & Mitigation

Risk Factor
Impact
Mitigation Strategy
Component Availability
Medium
Multiple vendor sources, advance procurement
Algorithm Complexity
Low
Well-documented P&O algorithm, extensive literature
Integration Challenges
Medium
Modular testing approach, step-by-step validation
Budget Overrun
Low
Detailed cost analysis, 20% buffer allocation
Time Constraints
Medium
Phase-wise milestones, regular progress reviews
Technical Issues
Low
Faculty guidance, online community support

Conclusion

Clear Problem Identification

Well-defined challenges in solar PV efficiency and monitoring addressed

Well-defined Objectives

Specific, measurable goals with clear success criteria established

Technically & Economically Feasible

Proven technologies, affordable costs, realistic timeline

🚀

Strong Implementation Potential

Comprehensive planning ensures successful project completion

🌱

Renewable Energy Contribution

Supports sustainable energy adoption through improved efficiency

References

[1]

Kumar, A., et al. "Maximum Power Point Tracking Techniques for Photovoltaic Systems: A Review." Renewable Energy Reviews, 2023.

[2]

Singh, R., et al. "IoT-based Solar Panel Monitoring System using ESP32." Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 2022.

[3]

Patel, M., et al. "Comparative Study of PWM and MPPT Charge Controllers." International Conference on Renewable Energy, 2023.

[4]

Sharma, V., et al. "Real-time Monitoring and Control of Solar PV Systems." IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 2022.

[5]

Government of India. "National Solar Mission Implementation Guidelines." Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, 2023.

Thank You

Questions & Discussion

Solar MPPT System with Real-time Efficiency Monitoring

Student: [Your Name] | Roll No: [Your Roll Number]

Department of Electrical Engineering

Ready for Questions & Evaluation