MPPT Energy System Mobile App Details

My team, MicRoGV, developed an energy management system for a solar photovoltaic (PV) setup to address the growing need for reliable and accessible energy monitoring, especially in the wake of events like the 2021 Texas power crisis, which left many families, including my own, without electricity for several days. This experience highlighted the importance of having systems that can provide real-time information about energy generation, storage, and usage. While the hardware consisted of PV panels, Arduino microcontrollers, and sensors for voltage, current, temperature, and irradiance, my primary contribution was the mobile application, which acts as the main interface for monitoring the solar PV system and turning complex energy data into clear, readable data.

The mobile application connects to the system via Bluetooth (HC-06 transceiver), automatically pairing with the device when permissions are granted, and displays live data from the Arduino. Users can view voltage, current, battery status, temperature, and total output. The app also integrates external APIs for sunrise, sunset, and irradiance data, enabling it to calculate estimated system shut-off and start-up times.

Built with Java and Android Studio, the mobile app combines usability and clarity to let users monitor and manage their solar PV system from anywhere. This project demonstrates how renewable energy technology and mobile app development can provide practical, reliable solutions during energy emergencies like the Texas power crisis.