A low-cost and fast PV I-V curve tracer based on an open source platform with M2M communication capabilities for preventive monitoring

This article presents the realization of a low-cost I-V curve tracer especially designed for solar panels. The proposed design is a low-cost implementation of an I-V tracer capable of producing a number of traces automatically within a fraction of second. It is based on an open-source platform with an embedded microcontroller that integrates contemporary technologies for power consumption and measurement together with networking technologies for Machine-to-Machine (M2 M) communication. This implementation can be embedded in solar panels aiming to the optimization of solar energy production by providing an in-situ solar panel characterization system. Details about the analysis and design methodology for the developed portable tracer are presented with preliminary results.