Senior Project: Presentation 1

Nikolas Wolfe

CEN 4914

October 6, 2009

Senior Project: Presentation 1

An Open-Source Remote Monitoring

System

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

Arduino Duemilanove: $30

disposable cell phone: $15

What is the simplest, least expensive way to accomplish this?

Implementation, Part 2Putting the pieces together….

Arduino enables buffers…

Phone dials DTMF tones…

DTMF transmitted over connected line…

Gantt Chart for Future Implementation 1

Gantt Chart for Future Implementation 2

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…