E&TC / ECE · Solar and power electronics · Final year project
Arduino Based System To Measure Solar Power
A solar panel monitoring system that measures light intensity, voltage, current and temperature. An Arduino collects readings from multiple sensors, calculates the power output and shows all parameters on an LCD, helping study panel performance through the day.
What is the Arduino Based System To Measure Solar Power project?
A solar panel monitoring system that measures light intensity, voltage, current and temperature. An Arduino collects readings from multiple sensors, calculates the power output and shows all parameters on an LCD, helping study panel performance through the day.
Key facts
- Branch
- Electronics & Telecommunication (E&TC / ECE); also suits Electrical, Instrumentation
- Type
- Final year project · Advanced
- Suitable for
- Diploma capstone and B.E / B.Tech final year
- Build time
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Estimated component cost
- ₹4,200 – ₹6,200
- Guidance from
- ₹9,999 (Hardware / IoT Final Year)
How the Arduino Based System To Measure Solar Power works
- Solar panel and 12 V power adapter / step-down transformer supply the circuit; a regulator gives the controller and sensors a steady 5 V.
- The Temperature sensor measures the temperature that the system monitors or controls.
- The LDR light sensor senses whether it is light or dark so lights can switch automatically.
- The Voltage sensor module measures the supply or battery voltage.
- The Current sensor measures the current drawn by the load.
- The Arduino Uno R3 reads the inputs, runs the decision logic written in C/C++ and drives the outputs.
- The 16×2 LCD with I2C adapter shows readings, status and messages to the user.
- The LEDs indicate status.
Block diagram
Inputs
Temperature sensorLDR light sensorVoltage sensor moduleCurrent sensorController
Arduino Uno R3Outputs
16×2 LCD with I2C adapterLEDsComponents list and cost
Typical prices from Indian online stores and electronics markets (Lamington Road, Budhwar Peth, SP Road). Buy from one store where you can to save on shipping.
| Component | Qty | What it does | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arduino Uno R3 | 1 | Reads the inputs, runs the decision logic written in C/C++ and drives the outputs. | ₹550 |
| Temperature sensor (LM35 / DS18B20) | 1 | Measures the temperature that the system monitors or controls. | ₹90 |
| LDR light sensor | 1 | Senses whether it is light or dark so lights can switch automatically. | ₹15 |
| Voltage sensor module | 1 | Measures the supply or battery voltage. | ₹120 |
| Current sensor (ACS712) | 1 | Measures the current drawn by the load. | ₹180 |
| Push buttons and switches | 1 | Provide manual inputs and the power switch. | ₹40 |
| 16×2 LCD with I2C adapter | 1 | Shows readings, status and messages to the user. | ₹220 |
| LEDs (assorted) | 1 | Indicate status. | ₹20 |
| Solar panel (10–20 W) | 1 | Converts sunlight into electricity to power or charge the system. | ₹900 |
| 12 V power adapter / step-down transformer | 1 | Supplies stable low-voltage power from the mains. | ₹250 |
| Charge controller module | 1 | Charges the battery safely and stops overcharging. | ₹250 |
| Rechargeable battery (12 V 1.3–7 Ah) | 1 | Stores energy and supplies power when mains is absent. | ₹650 |
| Passive components, PCB and wiring kit | 1 | Crystal oscillator, resistors (assorted), capacitors (assorted), transistors / MOSFETs, cables, connectors and jumper wires, diodes and PCB / breadboard. | ₹385 |
| Wiring, PCB, soldering and enclosure | 1 | Project overhead | ₹450 |
| Demo model base / mounting board | 1 | Project overhead | ₹500 |
| Testing spares and replacements | 1 | Project overhead | ₹300 |
| Estimated total | Varies with brand, quality and city | ₹4,200 – ₹6,200 |
Prices are estimates for budgeting. We confirm the bill of materials when your design is frozen, and components are charged at actual cost with bills.
How much does this project cost?
| Option | What you get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Components only | You buy the parts and build it yourself | ₹4,200 – ₹6,200 |
| Hardware / IoT Final Year | Working model or guided build, Circuit diagram and bill of materials, Firmware / code with explanation | from ₹9,999 + components |
| Capstone Project (CPE) | Working project or model, Black book in MSBTE format, Step-by-step explanation | ₹9,999 + components |
| Diploma ITR | 100% working source code, Project report PDF, PPT | ₹1,999 + components |
No GST and no hidden charges. Use the cost calculator for a quote with your deadline and add-ons, or see all plans.
Download the project brief (PDF)
Summary, working, components and cost and viva questions on one branded PDF to show your guide or team. To get it developed, contact us on WhatsApp.
What you submit with this project
- Working model with circuit diagram and program code
- Project report or black book in your university's chapter order (block diagram, circuit, calculations, results)
- Presentation for the review and final viva
- Synopsis for topic approval, if your college asks for one
E&TC / ECE viva questions on this project
What is the aim of the Arduino Based System To Measure Solar Power project?
A solar panel monitoring system that measures light intensity, voltage, current and temperature. An Arduino collects readings from multiple sensors, calculates the power output and shows all parameters on an LCD, helping study panel performance through the day.
Explain the working of your project in short.
Solar panel and 12 V power adapter / step-down transformer supply the circuit; a regulator gives the controller and sensors a steady 5 V. The Temperature sensor measures the temperature that the system monitors or controls. The LDR light sensor senses whether it is light or dark so lights can switch automatically. The Voltage sensor module measures the supply or battery voltage.
What microcontroller is on the Arduino Uno and what are its key specifications?
The Uno uses the ATmega328P: 8-bit, 16 MHz clock, 32 KB flash, 2 KB SRAM, 14 digital I/O pins (6 PWM) and 6 analog inputs with a 10-bit ADC.
How does the LM35 temperature sensor work?
LM35 gives an analog output of 10 mV per °C, so 250 mV means 25 °C. The controller reads it with the ADC and converts the value to degrees.
How does an LDR work?
An LDR is made of cadmium sulphide. In light its resistance drops to a few hundred ohms, and in darkness it rises to about a megaohm. Used in a voltage divider, it gives a voltage that depends on light.
How does the controller measure a voltage higher than 5 V?
A voltage divider (or an isolating transformer for AC) scales the voltage down to the 0–5 V range of the ADC. The code multiplies the reading by the divider ratio.
What is the principle of the ACS712?
It uses the Hall effect: the current through the chip's conductor creates a magnetic field, and the Hall sensor converts it to a proportional voltage, isolated from the main circuit.
Explain the block diagram of your project.
The input section senses the real-world quantity, the Arduino Uno R3 processes it according to the program, and the output section displays the result and drives the actuators. The power supply section feeds every block.
Which communication protocols are used between the modules?
I2C for the display, RTC or motion sensor (only SDA and SCL lines), a single-wire digital protocol for the temperature sensor and analog inputs read by the ADC for the analog sensors. Each protocol was chosen because the module supports it and it uses the fewest pins.
What is the operating voltage of the circuit?
The controller and most sensors work at 5 V (ESP boards and some modules at 3.3 V). The battery powers the board, and a regulator steps it down. Motors and relays get their own supply line so they do not reset the controller.
How did you calculate the power rating of your system?
Using P = V × I for each load, adding a margin of 20 to 25%. The solar panel is sized from the daily energy need divided by about 5 peak sun hours in India. Battery capacity is the energy needed per day divided by the battery voltage and allowable depth of discharge.
What is the difference between accuracy and precision?
Accuracy is how close a reading is to the true value. Precision is how close repeated readings are to each other. A sensor can be precise but inaccurate if it is not calibrated.
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