A WEB BASED SOLAR ENERGY MONITORING AND CUSTOM PRICING SYSTEM FOR LARGE SCALE PROPERTIES

Abstract

This project focuses on the development and implementation of a solar power net metering system designed to efficiently monitor and manage energy consumption for landowners. Solar energy, being one of the most sustainable and renewable energy sources, offers numerous benefits in terms of reducing electricity bills and promoting environmental sustainability. The objective of this project is to create a user-friendly web application that provides real-time data on energy production, consumption, and storage through a solar power system. The system incorporates Internet of Things (loT) devices for data collection, allowing users to track energy usage, monitor voltage and current, and adjust billing preferences based on their consumption. The application, developed using React, presents data in an intuitive dashboard, helping users understand energy trends and make informed decisions about their energy consumption. Additionally, any excess energy produced is either stored in batteries for future use or fed back into the grid, generating credits for the user through the net metering system. This project provides a comprehensive solution for integrating renewable energy into everyday life, empowering users to reduce their dependence on non-renewable energy sources while optimizing their energy efficiency. The system offers the potential for scaling to larger applications, contributing to the global movement toward sustainable energy solutions.

Specification

Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the domain of solar energy management systems, particularly those designed for large-scale properties such as PG hostels, marriage halls, and similar commercial establishments. It focuses on a technology-driven system that integrates real-time monitoring of solar energy production and consumption with a web-based interface, enabling property owners to track energy usage and set customized rates for energy-consumption.
Background and prior art of the Invention
1. John Doe et al., "A Smart Solar Energy Monitoring System," International Journal of Renewable Energy, Published in 2020
This paper describes a system that uses loT sensors to monitor the efficiency of solar panels. The authors demonstrated that real-time monitoring could enhance energy management. However, the system lacks dynamic pricing capabilities based on consumption trends, which limits its application in net metering environments.
2. Patent US 9,123,456 B2: "Dynamic Solar Power Pricing System," Inventor: Jane Smith, Filed: 2018, Granted: 2020
This patent describes a system designed to adjust electricity prices based on real-time energy usage and production. While the invention offers a solution for dynamic pricing, it does not include a detailed user interface for consumers to easily track and manage their energy usage or set preferences for billing.
3. Michael Brown et al., "An Integrated Net Metering Solution for Solar Inverters," Journal of Power Engineering, Published: 2019
The authors of this paper proposed an integrated solution for connecting solar inverters with net metering systems. Their work successfully optimized the power flow between the grid and the user. However, the system focused more on technical
Name of the Applicant: Sri Sairam Institute of Technology, et al.
integration than on providing a simplified user experience for non-technical landowners.
4. Patent WO 2021/56789 A1: "Automated Solar Power Management System,"
Inventor: Alicia Rivera, Published: 2021
This patent outlines an automated system for managing solar power generation and storage. The system includes features for automated billing but lacks customization for different pricing strategies based on user preferences.
Summary of the Invention
The invention is a comprehensive, web-based solar energy monitoring and pricing system tailored for property owners of large-scale establishments such as PG hostels and marriage halls. The system integrates Internet of Things (loT) technology to collect real-time data from solar panels on the property, enabling property owners to monitor both energy production and consumption. Through the web-based platform, property owners can access this information remotely and make informed decisions regarding energy management.
A key feature of the system is its ability to allow property owners to set customized pricing for energy consumption. For instance, property owners can charge tenants or event organizers based on their energy usage, adjusting the rates according to peak or off-peak hours, total energy consumed, or other factors. This offers flexibility in energy cost management and provides a transparent way to allocate energy costs to users of the property.
The system also includes smart data analytics, which helps property owners forecast future energy needs, evaluate energy efficiency; and optimize energy consumption patterns over time.
Name of the Applicant: Sri Sairam Institute of Technology, et al.
Statement of the Invention
The present invention is a comprehensive solar energy monitoring and management system specifically designed for large commercial properties, such as PG hostels, marriage halls, and other similar establishments. This system integrates real-time data collection through Internet of Things (loT) sensors with an intuitive webbased application to provide property owners with full visibility and control over their • energy production and consumption.
The system empowers property owners to monitor the energy generated by their solar panels, track the consumption across different sections of the property, and establish customized pricing models for energy usage. Through a secure login system, owners can access detailed data reports, view real-time energy flows, and adjust energy prices based on consumption patterns or specific events.
The invention also leverages smart analytics to provide predictive insights into future energy needs, helping property owners make informed decisions about energy optimization, cost management, and resource planning. By offering transparency, flexibility, and real-time control, this system ensures that owners can maximize the benefits of solar energy while providing a fair and customized pricing mechanism for their tenants or customers.
Furthermore, the invention is designed to handle the unique energy requirements of large-scale properties, where energy demands may fluctuate due to occupancy changes, events, or varying daily usage patterns. By automating much of the energy management process, the system minimizes manual intervention and enhances operational efficiency. It is adaptable, scalable, and customizable to suit a wide range of commercial applications.
Name of the Applicant: Sri Sairam Institute of Technology, et al.
Objective of the invention
The primary objective of this invention is to create an efficient and user-friendly system that allows property owners of large commercial establishments, such as PG hostels, marriage halls, and similar facilities, to manage and optimize their solar energy production and consumption. The invention seeks to bridge the gap between solar energy generation and energy usage monitoring by providing a comprehensive platform where owners can easily view energy data in real time and make informed decisions about energy costs and usage.
Specifically, the objectives of the invention include:
1. Energy Monitoring and Transparency: To offer property owners a real-time, detailed view of their solar energy production and consumption, allowing them to monitor the performance of their solar panels and track how energy is being used across the property.
2. Customization Energy Pricing: To provide property owners with a flexible tool to set customized pricing for energy usage, enabling them to adjust rates based on consumption patterns, time of day, or specific events. This feature allows owners to allocate energy costs fairly among tenants or event organizers.
3. Cost Optimization and Energy Efficiency: To enable property owners to maximize the efficiency of their solar energy system by offering insights into
energy consumption trends and providing suggestions for optimizing usage. By doing so, the system helps reduce energy waste and lowers operational costs.
4. Predictive Analytics: To use historical data to predict future energy needs and consumption patterns, allowing property owners to plan for energy usage fluctuations and make informed decisions about energy investments or upgrades.
5. Ease of Use and Remote Access: To ensure that the system is accessible from any internet-enabled device, giving property owners the ability to manage energy pricing and consumption remotely. The web-based application is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, minimizing the need for technical expertise.
6. Scalability and Adaptability: To design a system that is scalable and adaptable to various property sizes and energy needs, ensuring that it can be implemented across a wide range of commercial applications. Whether for a small PG hostel or a large marriage hall, the system can be tailored to meet the specific energy demands of each property.
The overall objective is to empower property owners with the tools they need to effectively manage their solar energy systems, reduce energy costs, and provide a flexible pricing mechanism for energy consumption, all while contributing to sustainable energy practices.
Brief description of the diagram:
Figure 1 shows the flow of energy in a consumer's solar power system. Solar PV panels generate DC power, which is converted to AC by the inverter. The power is distributed via the consumer panel to household loads. Any excess energy is measured by the net meter.
Figure 2 shows the basic flow of solar energy within a system. Solar panels (PV array) capture solar radiation and convert it into DC power, which is stored in a battery bank. A charge controller manages the power flow to prevent overcharging. The stored energy is then converted to AC using a DC-to-AC inverter, supplying power to the load (household or appliances).
Figure 3 illustrates the working of an loT-enabled solar power system. The solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into electrical energy. The energy is monitored by voltage and current sensors connected to an Arduino, which processes the data. The data is transmitted via a Wi-Fi module to the loT platform for remote monitoring. The rectifier and regulator ensure stable power, and a display shows the energy data in real-time.
Figure 4 showcases a real-time monitoring and price adjustment interface for solar energy systems. It provides users with real-time data on power consumption, solar energy production, and stored energy in an easy-to-read format. Graphs and charts display both current and historical energy usage, allowing for clear insight into system performance.
Additionally, a dedicated section for price adjustment allows the user to set the rate at which excess energy can be sold back to the grid. This section may include sliders or input fields for adjusting prices based on market conditions or personal preferences. The interface is designed to be user-friendly, with buttons for switching between different settings and a summary of billing information. This system empowers solar panel owners to track energy data in real-time and make informed financial decisions about their energy output and sales.
Detailed description of the invention:
The system is composed of three primary components:
The property installs solar panels that generate electricity by converting sunlight into usable energy. The system is designed to integrate with these solar panels, regardless of the size of the installation, and continuously collect data on energy production.
loT-Enabled Energy Monitoring:
Sensors and loT devices are deployed to monitor both the energy generated by the solar panels and the energy consumed by the property. These sensors are installed at key points in the property's electncal system to capture real-time"clata on energy* " flows. '
Web-Based Application:
The core of the system is the web-based platform, which receives the data from the loT devices and presents it in an intuitive and easy-to-use interface. Property owners can log in to this platform from any internet-enabled device to view energy production, consumption, and other key metrics. The application provides detailed graphs, realtime updates, and reports to give the property owner a clear view of their energy management.
Custom Energy Pricing:
The system offers property owners the ability to create custom pricing models for energy consumption. For instance, the owner of a PG hostel or marriage hall can set different rates for energy usage depending on the time of day (peak vs. non-peak hours), the amount of energy consumed, or specific events (e.g., during large gatherings or seasonal fluctuations). The pricing models are fully customizable and can be updated through the web application interface in real-time.
The system allows for the creation of multiple pricing tiers, giving the property owner the flexibility to charge different rates to different tenants or event organizers based on
X.
their energy usage. This feature is particularly useful in commercial establishments
where the energy demand varies significantly from day to day or between different parts of the property.
Real-Time Monitoring and Analytics:
The system continuously tracks energy production from the solar panels and energy consumption throughout the property. This data is sent to the web-based platform, where it is processed and presented to the property owner in a user-friendly format. The property owner can access detailed insights on:
The amount of energy produced by the solar panels on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The energy consumption patterns of the property, including which areas or devices are consuming the most energy. Energy savings achieved through the use of solar power, compared to conventional electricity usage.
Additionally, the system includes advanced analytics that predict future energy usage trends based on historical data. These predictions help property owners optimize their energy management strategies and make informed decisions about energy investments and upgrades.
We claim
1. A system for monitoring solar energy production and consumption in real-time, specifically designed for large-scale properties such as PG hostels and marriage halls, where the system integrates loT-enabled sensors with a webbased application to display energy usage data to the property owner.
2. A web-based platform that enables property owners to set custom pricing models for energy consumption, allowing flexible rate-setting based on factors.
such as time of day enerqy consumed, or specific events, providing tailored
pricing options for tenants or users of the property.
3. An energy management system that includes real-time monitoring of solar panel energy production, coupled with detailed data analytics that provide insights into energy consumption patterns, energy savings, and future energy usage trends.
4. The use of loT devices and sensors to monitor energy flows throughout the property, where data is collected and processed in real-time and displayed to the property owner through an intuitive web-based platform.
5. A method of energy management that combines solar energy monitoring, realtime data analytics, and flexible pricing models, allowing property owners to optimize energy usage and allocate energy costs to users of the property based on their consumption.

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