IJSTE - International Journal of Science Technology & Engineering | Volume 3 | Issue 09 | March 2017

ISSN (online): 2349-784X

Solar Data Logger

Surendra Kumar Tripathi Kunwar Abhay Singh
Associate Professor UG Student
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Krishna Institute of Engineering and Technology, Krishna Institute of Engineering and Technology,
Ghaziabad India Ghaziabad India

Pallavi Ojha Anmol Kumar Baliyan

UG Student UG Student
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Krishna Institute of Engineering and Technology, Krishna Institute of Engineering and Technology,
Ghaziabad India Ghaziabad India

Abstract
Solar intensity data log is an instrument for calibrating the insolation of sun radiations. Being aware of the available intensity of
an area, it is easier to design and implement a solar power plant in specifically identified area. Such a design criteria need to identify
the number of solar cells [1] and their placement as per the radiation level and how much battery to store the generated power. The
conventional existing technology to measure solar intensity is Pyranometer which is a broad spectrum device. This device manages
the calculations for the whole spectrum which includes radiations which may not provide any work function. Therefore the
efficiency of this device is very low. Considering the above mentioned factors, a low cost device for measurement of solar intensity
is designed and is presented in this paper. This will contribute in providing intensity manipulation for the relevant spectrum of
solar radiation.
Keywords: Calibrating, Insolation, Radiations, Pyranometer, Spectrum
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I. INTRODUCTION

Device that records data for a given time in relation to location either with an available instrument or sensor or through external
instruments and sensors is called Data Logger. They are generally small, battery powered, reliable, and equipped with a
microprocessor, internal memory for data storage, and various sensors (Current, Voltage and many others). Some data loggers
interface with a personal computer, and use software to activate it and to view and analyse the collected data, while many others
have a local interface device (keypad, LCD) and can be used as a stand-alone device. Data loggers vary between general purpose
types or specific environment [2] or application type only. General purpose types needs to be programmed; however, many data
loggers remain as static machines with only a limited number or non-changeable parameters. Electronic data loggers have replaced
chart recorders in variety of applications. One of the fundamental benefits of utilizing data loggers is the capacity to automatically
collect data on a 24-hour basis where data can be very accurately recoded during a particular hour, minute, second or mili second
of a day, week, month or year. Upon activation, data loggers are deployed to measure and record information for the specific
duration of the monitoring period. This permits a comprehensive and accurate scenario of the environmental conditions being
monitored [14] [15], such as solar intensity, air temperature and relative humidity. Renewable source of energy harnessed through
photovoltaic cell [9] [10] can also be now be measured and stored in a memory card for various usage.

Fig. 1: Block Diagram of Solar Data Logger

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II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Knowledge Formats
Standardisation of protocols and knowledge formats has been a drag however is currently growing within the trade and XML,
JSON, and YAML are progressively being adopted for knowledge exchange. The event of the linguistics net and therefore the web
of Things is probably going to accelerate this gift trend.

Instrumentation Protocols
Several protocols are standardised together with a wise protocol, SDI-12, that permits some instrumentation to be connected to a
spread of knowledge loggers. The employment of this normal has not gained abundant acceptance outside the environmental trade.
SDI-12 additionally supports multi drop instruments. Some knowledge work corporations also are currently supporting the
MODBUS normal. This has been used historically within the industrial management space, and there are several industrial
instruments that support this communication normal. Another multi drop protocol that is currently commencing to become a lot of
wide used is predicated upon will Bus (ISO 11898). Some knowledge loggers use a versatile scripting atmosphere to adapt
themselves to numerous non-standard protocols .MODBUS could be a serial prescript originally revealed by an ovulatory drug
(now Schneider Electric) in 1979 to be used with its programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Easy and strong, it's since become a
factual normal protocol, and it's currently a usually on the market means that of connecting industrial electronic devices.

Knowledge Work versus Knowledge Acquisition

The terms knowledge work and knowledge acquisition are typically used interchangeably. However, in a very historical context
they're quite completely different. {Knowledge/ an information} feller could be a data acquisition system; however a knowledge
acquisition system isn't essentially a knowledge feller.
Data loggers usually have slower sample rates. A most sample rate of one Hz could also be thought of to be in no time for a
knowledge feller, nonetheless terribly slow for a typical knowledge acquisition system.
Data loggers are implicitly complete devices, whereas typical knowledge acquisition system should stay bound to a laptop to
amass knowledge. This complete side {knowledge of information} logger implies on-board memory that's wont to store no
inheritable data. Typically this memory is extremely massive to accommodate several days, or maybe months, of unattended
recording. This memory could also be battery-backed static random access memory, non-volatile storage or EEPROM. Earlier
knowledge loggers used storage device, punched paper, or directly visible records like "strip chart recorders".
Given the extended recording times of knowledge loggers, they usually feature a mechanism to record the date and time in a
very timestamp to make sure that every recorded knowledge worth is related to a date and time of acquisition so as to supply
a sequence of events. As such, knowledge loggers usually use inherent time period clocks whose revealed drift will be a very
important thought once selecting between knowledge loggers.
Data loggers vary from easy monaural input to complicated multi-channel instruments. Typically, the less complicated the
device the less programming flexibility. Some a lot of subtle instruments give cross-channel computations and alarms
supported preset conditions. The latest of knowledge loggers will serve sites, permitting various individuals to watch a system
remotely.
The unattended and remote nature of the many knowledge feller applications implies the necessity in some applications to
control from a DC power supply, like a battery. Alternative energy could also be wont to supplement these power sources.
These Constraints have typically crystal rectifier to make sure that the devices they market are extraordinarily power
economical relative.
To computers. In several cases they're needed to control in harsh environmental conditions wherever computers won't perform
Faithfully.
This unattended nature additionally dictates that knowledge loggers should be extraordinarily reliable. Since they will operate
for long periods nonstop with very little or no human management, and should be put in in harsh or remote locations, its imperative
that goodbye as they need power, they're going to not fail to log knowledge for any reason. Makers visit nice length to make sure
that the devices will be relied on in these applications. in and of itself data loggers are nearly fully resistant to the issues that may
have an effect on a general laptop within the same application, like program crashes and therefore the instability of some in
operation systems.

Data logging Applications

Electric Utilization Applications
Component Life Extension Studies in the Nuclear Industry
Temperature Study Underwater Power Distribution
Cable Super heater tube profiling
Cogeneration site performance study

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Meteorological Applications
Rain Fall Totalization
Cup Anemometer Wind Speed
Wind Direction and Averaging
Process Industry Applications
Metal Refining and Production
Energy usage overview [4]
Process control tuning
Outflow monitoring
HVAC System troubleshooting
Cooling tower efficiency studies
Compressed Air Audit
Mobile / Vehicle Testing Applications
Vehicle HVAC testing
Reliability studies
Cycled Temperature qualification
Exhaust Component Road Testing
Vehicle Performance Tuning
Environmental Studies Applications [14]
Noxious Gas Detection
Air pollution site monitoring / alarming
CEMS certification
Bio-remediation studies
Nitrogen Dioxide Base Line Study
Mining Industry Applications
Machinery testing
Energy efficiency studies
Shoring studies
Ventilation / Gas monitoring

III. WORKING AND METHODOLOGY

MISO/MOSI Coupling of Microcontroller and SD Card Module Sample Programme

The SD Card Module works with standard MicroSD Cards which operating voltage is 3.3 V. Therefore, the module has a voltage
regulator and a level shifter so that we can use it with the 5 V pins of the Arduino Board. The SD Card Module have six pins, two
for powering the module, the VCC and the GND pins, and four more pins for the SPI communication. Heres how we need to
connect it to the Arduino Board.
MOSI Coupling Programme
/*
* Arduino SD Card Tutorial Example
*
* by Dejan Nedelkovski, www.HowToMechatronics.com
*/
#include <SD.h>
#include <SPI.h>
File myFile;
int pinCS = 53; // Pin 10 on Arduino Uno
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(pinCS, OUTPUT);
// SD Card Initialization
if (SD.begin())
{
Serial.println("SD card is ready to use.");
} else
{
Serial.println("SD card initialization failed");

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return;
}
// Create/Open file
myFile = SD.open("test.txt", FILE_WRITE);
// if the file opened okay, write to it:
if (myFile) {
Serial.println("Writing to file...");
// Write to file
myFile.println("Testing text 1, 2 ,3...");
myFile.close(); // close the file
Serial.println("Done.");
}
// if the file didn't open, print an error:
else {
Serial.println("error opening test.txt");
}
// Reading the file
myFile = SD.open("test.txt");
if (myFile) {
Serial.println("Read:");
// Reading the whole file
while (myFile.available()) {
Serial.write(myFile.read());
}
myFile.close();
}
else {
Serial.println("error opening test.txt");
}
}
void loop() {
// empty
}

Code Description
So first we need to include the standard SD and SPI libraries, create a File object and define the ChipSelect pin of the SPI bus,
the pin 53 in my case for the Arduino Mega Board. For this example we want our code to be executed only once, so all the code
will be placed in the setup section, while the loop section will remain empty. So first we need to start the serial communication
and define the Chip Select pin as output. We have to do this because the ChipSelect pin needs to be Low so that the SPI
communication between the module and the Arduino works. Next, using the SD.begin() function we will initialize the SD card
and if initialization is successful the if statement will become true and the String SD card is ready to use. will be printed on
the serial monitor, and then the strings SD card initialization failed will be printed and also the program will be terminated. Next,
using the SD.open() function we will create a new file named test.txt, including the FILE_WRITE argument meaning that we
can both read and write to the file. If the file already exist the SD.open() function will just open it. So if the file has been successfully
created first we will print the string Writing to file on the serial monitor and then using the myFile.println() function we will
print the text Testing text 1, 2 ,3 into the file. After that we need to use close() function to ensure that the previous data written
to the file is physically saved to the SD Card. Next, we will see how we can read from the file. So again we will the same function,
SD.open(), but this time as the file test.txt has already been created, the function will just open the file. Then using the myFile.read
() function we will read from the file and print it on the serial monitor. The read() function actually reads just one character at a
time, so therefore we need to use the while loop and the function myFile.available() to read all characters or the whole previously
written data. At the end we need to close the file. Now after uploading the code to the Arduino, if everything is ok, the following
will appear on the serial monitor.

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Fig. 3: Storage in SD Card

Conversion of SD Card Data into .XLS File

First we need to include the libraries needed for both modules, then create the two objects and in the setup section initialize them.
In the loop section using the Serial.print() funtion we will print the time and the temperature values on the serial monitor, with a
comma character between them and a new line after the temperature value. We need this form of the lines so that we can easily
import them and make a chart in Excel. Also note that the temperature values are converted into integers. So these identical values
can also be written into the freshly created test.txt file and at the termination we only have to add a delay which will represent
the interval of recording the temperature data. After uploading the code the Arduino will start storing the temperature values each
3 seconds. After a while we can open the SD card on our computer to see the results. For creating a chart in Excel we need to
import this file and heres how we will do that: From the data menu we need to click Get Data from Text button and select the
text file. Here we will choose Delimited and click next, and in the second step, selects the comma as delimiter and then finishes
the wizard. So this process will insert the time and the temperature values into separate columns. Now we just need to select both
columns and from the insert menu select Insert line chart. This will create the chart where we can see the temperature values
each 3 seconds

Fig. 4: Conversion into SD card data into excel file

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Fig. 5: Plotting of graph through the stored values

IV. CONCLUSION

Data Loggers are changing more rapidly now than before. The original model of a stand-alone data logger is changing to one of a
device that collects data but also has a wide access to wireless communications for forecasting of events, automatic reporting of
data and remote control. Data loggers are widely used for web pages for instantaneous readings e-mail their alarms and FTP their
routine results into databases or directed towards the users. Very recently, there is a trend to move away from proprietary products
with commercial software to open source software and hardware devices.
Digital interfaces like I2C, SPI or UART enabling the direct interconnection of a digital sensor and a computer,
Unlimited number of configurations to show measurements in real-time over the internet, process data, plot charts and
diagrams.
Based on the data obtained from excel sheet it can be employed to forecast current, voltage , solar intensity of solar panel for
the next day as well as certain interval of time provided climatic conditions do not change abruptly and suddenly.
Based on the data of the excel sheet one can predict the best angle at which solar panel must be inclined to so as to increase
the efficiency of the solar panel.[6] [7].
Based on the data of excel sheet one can predict at which time of day power should be drawn from solar panel and at which
time of the day power must be drawn from main supply so as to avoid ambiguity in operation in case a firm draws power from
both sources.
The data so obtained from excel sheet can also form the basis of building MPPT [10][11][12] or PWM[13] based solar power
system.

REFERENCES
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[2] Leon Freris, David Infield, Renewable Energy in Power Systems, First edition, John Wiley & Sons, pp.127-133, 2008.
[3] M. Calavia, J. M. Perie, J. F. Sanz, J Sallan, MPPT Strategies for Solar Modules, FYP Progress Report, pp.6-8, 2011.
[4] John Twidell, Tony Weir, Renewable Energy Resources, Second edition, Taylor & Francis Group, pp.46-60, 2006.
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[8] Augustin McEvoy, Tom Markvart, Luis Castaner, Practical Handbook of Photovoltaics- Fundamentals and Applications, Second edition, Elsevier Ltd, pp.60-
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[9] ATmega8(L) Data Sheet, ATMEL, pp.137-143 and pp.196-208, 2006
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[12] K. H. Hussein and I. Mota, Maximum photovoltaic power tracking: Analgorithm for rapidly changing atmospheric conditions, in Proc. IEE Generation
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[13] E. Roman, R. Alonso, P. Ibanez, S. Elorduizapatarietxe, and D. Goitia, Intelligent PV Module for Grid-Connected PV Systems, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron.,
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[14] Falk Antony, Christian Durschner, Karl-Heinsz Remmers Photovoltaics for Professionals, solar electric systems Markeing, design and installations. Berlin:
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[15] Kim, Jin-Hee and Kim, Jun-Tae, An experimental study of air type PVT collector with performance improvements, in Proceedings of the World Conference,
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