A Low-Cost Wireless Monitoring System for Photovoltaic Systems: Performance Analysis and Potential Application in Direct-Current Nanogrids

Norman J. Beltrán Castañón (), Fredy Chura Acero, José Ramos Cutipa, Omar Chayña Velásquez, Henry Shuta Lloclla and Edisson Cruz Ticona
Additional contact information
Norman J. Beltrán Castañón: Department of Mechanical Electrical Engineering, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21000, Peru
Fredy Chura Acero: Department of Mechanical Electrical Engineering, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21000, Peru
José Ramos Cutipa: Department of Mechanical Electrical Engineering, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21000, Peru
Omar Chayña Velásquez: Department of Mechanical Electrical Engineering, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21000, Peru
Henry Shuta Lloclla: Department of Mechanical Electrical Engineering, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21000, Peru
Edisson Cruz Ticona: Department of Mechanical Electrical Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Juliaca, Juliaca 21100, Peru

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: The unique challenges posed by the high altitude and extreme-irradiance variability in the Peruvian Altiplano necessitate innovative and cost-effective monitoring solutions for photovoltaic (PV) systems. This study presents a low-cost wireless monitoring system for PV systems, designed for performance analysis and with potential application in DC nanogrids. The system, based on an Arduino Nano and Raspberry Pi architecture, captures real-time data on key electrical parameters such as voltage, current, and power, as well as environmental conditions like temperature and irradiance, which are critical factors influencing PV system performance. Deployed on a 3 kW grid-connected PV system in the Peruvian Altiplano, the system reveals significant irradiance variability, with fluctuations exceeding 20% within a single day and extreme events surpassing 1500 W/m 2 . This variability resulted in an average daily energy generation fluctuation of 15%, underscoring the importance of continuous monitoring for optimizing PV system operation. This variability impacts energy generation and underscores the importance of continuous monitoring for optimizing PV system operation. The study analyzes the system’s performance under different irradiance conditions and discusses its adaptability for use in DC nanogrids, which offer enhanced efficiency and accessibility in remote areas like the Altiplano. This research contributes a practical and versatile tool for advancing sustainable energy solutions, with implications for improving the efficiency and reliability of both grid-connected PV systems and the emerging field of DC nanogrids in remote areas.

Keywords: photovoltaic systems; solar irradiance; monitoring; grid data acquisition; Altiplano (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2279/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2279/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:9:p:2279-:d:1646094

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().