Design of wireless sensor network for monitoring the performance of photovoltaic panel

This paper presents the method of monitoring the performance and yield of individual photovoltaic (PV) panels in a PV plant using Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). The parameters monitored are Open circuit Voltage(Voc), Open circuit Current(Ioc), Short circuit Voltage(Vsc), Short circuit Current(Isc) pertaining to the panels connected to a string, without affecting their operation. Apart from the currents and voltages, the sensors are also used for automatic detection of bypass events in case of measurement phase. The interesting fact is that the sensors derive the power from the solar panel itself for their operation. The reliability and efficiency of the PV panels are effectively monitored by the WSN. Localization of fault detection is made possible in the case of malfunction in the panels of a Photo voltaic string.