1. Sensor, Signal, and Information Processing
SenSIP Research Endeavors for Undergraduates Seminar
Mobile Application Development for Photovoltaic (PV) Array Monitoring
Presenter: David Ramirez, ECEE Student
April 16, 2015, 2:30pm / Room: GWC 487
Abstract
Solar power generation is a rapidly expanding sector which can be optimized at the system level through
sensing and data processing. Prevalent problems such as electrical faults, shading, and soiling cause
power loss and hazardous operating conditions over the lifespan of a photovoltaic (PV) array. These
operating difficulties need to be diagnosed and addressed quickly in commercial and residential
applications. Current methods are slow and manpower intensive, which leaves room for improvement
through sensing and algorithm detection. The PV Array Simulator developed by SenSIP was created to
simulate the operating conditions of a large scale solar array. In conjunction, an Android app is being
developed to remotely display in real-time the collected data for use in monitoring operating conditions.
In this presentation, the PV Array Simulator and the Android app will be introduced. The challenges of
interfacing the two systems will be discussed. Finally, the future direction of the project will be outlined.
Biography:
David Ramirez is currently a Junior level undergraduate Electrical Engineering student at ASU.
He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. In
2011 he deployed to the Western Pacific as part of a naval joint taskforce. His military travels
have taken him to almost a dozen countries including Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Hong
Kong, and Japan. He brings with him 4 years of experience as a communications repair
technician. His research with the SenSIP Industry Consortium and NCSS I/UCRC began in
Fall of 2014 under the NSF Research Experience for Veterans supplement. His research
interests include wireless communication, mobile technologies, and software development.
Research Experience for Veterans sponsored in-part by NSF, I/UCRC, and the SenSIP Center
http://sensip.asu.edu/