Design and implementation of sustainable solar energy harvesting for low-cost remote sensors equipped with real-time monitoring systems

Abstract

Data acquisition systems, such as Wireless Smart Sensor Networks (WSSNs) can increase the resilience of infrastructure by providing real-time monitoring and data collection of environmental parameters. Yet, sustainable energy supplies for sensor networks established in remote and inaccessible areas still present a challenge. Previously, researchers have attempted to address this difficulty by proposing different energy systems including solar energy harvesting, however, significant prolonged experimental data for the operation of extensive networks powered by solar energy has not been reported. This paper presents an original design and implementation of an energy system for a large WSSN and provides the sensors' power status data over a significant duration. A network of low-cost flood monitoring sensors, including twenty-six water level sensors, twenty rain gauges, and eight communication nodes were deployed and tested on summer and fall 2022 at six remote locations at the northern New Mexico Pueblo, Ohkay Owingeh. A thermometer and a humidity sensor were added to each communication node to record temperature and air's moisture level. In addition, a networked voltage monitoring system was deployed to observe the sensors energy status in real-time. The items of the WSSN are composed of two differing energy circuits suited for their energy demands. The sensors' energy circuits contain a photovoltaic panel, a lithium-polymer battery, a control device, and a DC-to-DC converter. Whereas the communication nodes contain another photovoltaic panel, a lead-acid battery, and a solar charging controller. The findings provide a perspective on the long-term field deployment of WSSNs consisting of low-cost sensors.