Solar Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) for IoT Devices

Applikationsberichte

Internet of Things (IoT) devices are typically low-power, battery-operated devices, and the use of solar energy to power IoT applications and devices is also becoming more prevalent. The primary reason for using solar energy is because it is a clean and cost-effective renewable energy source. You don't have to change your battery as frequently after installing the solar panel.

 

A high-performance solar panel must not only provide consistent power to your IoT devices, but it must also be able to withstand harsh conditions and long-term UV exposure. Prior to selecting the right solar panel for your application, you must consider the solar panel's performance.

 

To evaluate the performance of a solar panel, you can start by profiling the current-voltage (I-V) and power-voltage (P-V) characteristic curves to determine if a solar panel is capable of providing the maximum amount of power required by your IoT device. This application note explains how to use an electronic load to determine the I-V curve, P-V curve, and MPPT of a solar panel for your low-powered IoT devices.