Internet of Things: Solar power under forest canopy

Abstract

Internet of Things (IoTs) concept has opened a window for forest to become a part of the technology connected ecosystem with power under the forest canopy as one of the primary concerns. A multitude of sensors can be deployed under the forest canopy for real time and periodic forest monitoring in the IoTs environment. In this research, the amount of solar power generation under a closed forest canopy is studied in detail. The key objective of this research is to provide an insight on power management for potential IoTs based forest monitoring devices. The minimum, maximum and average solar radiation received under the closed canopy is 1.87W/m^2, 761.67W/m^2 and 74.50W/m^2 respectively. By further computation, the monthly minimum, maximum and average total solar radiation is 10184.24Wh/m^2, 45791.08Wh/m^2 and 21087.47Wh/m^2 respectively. By modeling with a 12V 100W solar panel, the lowest and the highest solar power generated are 0.19W and 76.22W respectively. On the other hand, the monthly maximum and minimum total solar power generated is 4582.22Wh and 1019.12Wh respectively. A typical IoTs environmental sensing Node from Libelium consumes 503Wh per month which is lower than the minimum monthly total solar power generated. In overall, solar power generation is possible under a closed canopy to power an energy efficient IoTs device.