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Senior Project: Presentation 1. An Open-Source Remote Monitoring System. Nikolas Wolfe CEN 4914 October 6, 2009. What?. An open-source monitoring system for remote solar power systems Two Parts: 1.) Hardware Component: Interfaces with charge controller, transmits data
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Senior Project: Presentation 1 An Open-Source Remote Monitoring System Nikolas Wolfe CEN 4914 October 6, 2009
What? • An open-source monitoring system for remote solar power systems • Two Parts: 1.) Hardware Component: Interfaces with charge controller, transmits data 2.) Software Component: Stores and analyzes data
Why? • Existing products are expensive, limited, and proprietary • RM is an important aspect of decentralized power generation • Individuals should be able to take their own initiatives
Inspiration? Why doesn’t this work? Sanyang, The Gambia, Summer 2007
Requirements? • No Customized Hardware • All Open-Source Software • Extensible and Reproducible • Minimizes After-Installation Costs
Implementation, Part 1 What is the simplest, least expensive way to accomplish this? Arduino Duemilanove: $30 disposable cell phone: $15
Implementation, Part 2 Phone dials DTMF tones… Putting the pieces together…. DTMF transmitted over connected line… Arduino enables buffers…
Highlights… • Not a replacement for maintenance of solar power systems! • Working with Advanced Solar Technologies , Inc. (http://ast-solar.com/) on requirements, testing • Further documentation online at http://code.google.com/p/solar-monitoring-project/
Conclusion… • Realistic expectation is for working prototype • Progress slow but steady…