IoT Based, Inexpensive System for Large Scale, Wireless, Remote Temperature Monitoring of Photovoltaic Modules

Large amount of high quality module temperature data in various end use environments is necessary for data-driven development of accelerated tests and standards for modules in hot climates such as IEC 63126. An Internet of Things (IoT) based, inexpensive system for large scale, wireless, remote monitoring of PV module temperature/hotspots is described in this paper. The system employs a battery-free design and is capable of handling operating temperatures as high as 100 oC, thus making it capable to record temperature data even of modules deployed in rooftop systems in hot climates. The inexpensive nature of this system and ease of retrofitting in existing PV systems would make it possible to generate large amount of module temperature datasets in various end use environments in near future.