Build and Implement Radiation Control using IoT in Parabolic Trough Solar Collector (PTSC)

Abstract

Connecting the devices to the internet based on the internet of things IoT increases the capability of monitoring and measuring, and controlling essential variables. In this study, the radiation intensity was controlled via the internet of things IoT for PTSC to study the collector's behavior. The light control circuit was designed, built, and implemented. The circuit mainly consists of a power supply, Arduino, relay, and potentiometer. Radiation was successfully monitored using a sensor and displayed through a smartphone via Wi-Fi, and the intensity of radiation light controls the PCM status. A data logging system was applied using a micro SD in a smartphone card and Arduino Node-MCU as a microcontroller. The experimental results show the relationship between solar radiation and resistance change. Inversely, the maximum radiation found from this work was 780 W/m2 with 74 k Ω resistance, and the minimum radiation was 300 W/m2 with 170 k Ω resistance. The output power changes directly through solar radiation, which means the power output with maximum solar radiation will be 3018 W. Using IoT Technology reduces efforts of long-time monitoring during the experiment (many hours).