{"id":36630,"key":"Open_source_wireless_IV_curve_tracer_for_long_term_field_testing","title":"Open source wireless IV curve tracer for long term field testing","latest":{"id":1206730,"timestamp":"2025-11-27T20:44:12Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{Pv project}}\n\nThis '''Wireless IV Curve Tracer for long term solar photovoltaic field testing''' was first designed and tested by Jason Alderman [http://jalderman.org/?tag=open-source here]. It is for long term outdoor solar [[photovoltaic]] test facilities to measure IV curves of modules.\n\nThe hardware was designed and built as a personal project in an attempt to address the shortcomings of a traditional IV measurement setup. The hardware and software are [[open source]]. Jason's IV tracer has just two wires to connect to the panel under test. Other than that, it's completely self-contained and portable. When the panel isn't being measured, the logic circuitry is put to sleep and the panel's power is instead used to charge a small lithium ion battery. Even in complete darkness, the IV tracer can run from the battery for a couple of weeks, and as soon as the sun comes out, the battery is quickly recharged.\n\nThe IV data is transmitted as ASCII text using an [http://web.archive.org/web/20110118090413/http://www.digi.com:80/products/wireless/point-multipoint/xbee-series1-module.jsp Xbee] in transparent serial mode. On the receiving end, a simple [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8687 USB-Serial adapter] is connected to a [[Linux]] PC and a very basic logging script.\n\nThe complete IV tracer cost me about $140 to build, which is a huge cost savings in addition to the time saved from not having to mess with miles of wiring if you are doing a complex site like the [[OSOTF]].\n\nFull details: [http://jalderman.org/?tag=open-source]\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n}}\n\n[[Category:Photovoltaics]]\n[[Category:Open source hardware]]"}