Global Radiation Budget Tracker
Measure Earth's Energy Balance with the Global Radiation Budget Tracker – ESP32 Cloud Logger
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
Understanding how much solar energy the Earth absorbs versus reflects is critical for climate research, agriculture, and renewable energy planning. This kit lets you build a field-deployable dual-sensor radiometer that measures incoming and outgoing shortwave radiation simultaneously, computes net radiation balance in real time, and streams the data to any cloud platform via ESP32 — all in a waterproof enclosure powered by solar and li-ion cells.
What You'll Build
You'll assemble a weatherproof unit with two BH1750 light sensors mounted on opposite faces of a sealed enclosure. One sensor faces the sky to capture direct and diffuse solar radiation; the other faces the ground to measure reflected radiation. The ESP32 reads both sensors through an I2C multiplexer, timestamps readings with a real-time clock, stores them on a microSD card, and uploads to a cloud endpoint of your choice. You’ll own a fully functional net-radiometer that mimics the principle used in global climate models.
What You'll Learn
- Dual-sensor radiometric measurement and albedo calculation using BH1750 lux sensors
- I2C bus expansion with TCA9548A multiplexer to operate two identical sensors
- Real-time data logging with DS3231 RTC and microSD, including power-safe file handling
- Off-grid solar power management using a 6V panel, TP4056 charge controller, and 18650 cells
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| ESP32 Dev Board | 1 |
| BH1750 | 2 |
| TCA9548A I2C Mux | 1 |
| DS3231 RTC | 1 |
| MicroSD Module | 1 |
| LM2596 Buck Converter | 1 |
| 0.96in OLED | 1 |
| 4.7kΩ Resistors | 10 |
| 100nF Caps | 10 |
| Solar Panel 6V 2W | 1 |
| TP4056 Module | 1 |
| 18650 Cell | 2 |
| Waterproof Enclosure | 1 |
| PCB Prototype Board | 2 |
| Soldering Iron | 1 |
| Solder Wire | 1 |
Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately
| Factor | Sourcing Separately | Compoden Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility checks | You verify every part | Pre-tested as a system |
| Build support | Forums and scattered tutorials | AI companion trained on this exact project |
| Time to first working build | Days of debugging | Hours, with step-by-step guidance |
| Shipping coordination | Multiple sellers, multiple delays | One shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days |
Who This Kit Is For
This advanced kit is purpose-built for climate science researchers, environmental engineering students, and IoT professionals deploying in-field weather stations. In India, it serves M.Tech/Ph.D. scholars at IITs and IISc working on surface energy balance, B.Tech final-year projects in ECE/EEE, Smart India Hackathon teams prototyping renewable energy monitoring, and professionals at agrometeorology labs or solar irradiance assessment firms. If you need a calibrated, outdoor-ready radiometric logger, this kit delivers.
Built and Backed by Compoden
Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project — accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.
What if I get stuck during the build?
Scan the QR code inside the box to launch your AI build companion, pre-loaded with the wiring diagram, code, and debugging steps for this exact kit. You can also send photos and questions via WhatsApp — our engineers reply directly.
Can this unit survive outdoors for weeks at a time?
Yes, the enclosure is IP65-rated and the circuit includes over-discharge protection on the 18650 cells. The solar panel and buck converter maintain continuous power as long as the panel receives at least 3-4 hours of direct sun daily.
Do I need to calibrate the BH1750 sensors for radiation flux?
Out of the box, the sensors report lux. The AI companion walks you through converting lux to W/m² using a simple linear calibration coefficient, and includes a routine to verify both sensors against a reference pyranometer if you have one.
What cloud endpoint can I use for data streaming?
The ESP32 firmware is pre-configured to work with ThingSpeak, AWS IoT Core, or any MQTT broker of your choice. The AI companion includes endpoint templates and data format instructions so you can switch platforms in minutes.
Two BH1750 sensors face up and down to compute net shortwave radiation balance. ESP32 logs to cloud.
What's in this kit
Choose your assembly option:
- Soldering Kit — 25W soldering iron, 60/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.
- Breadboard Combo — 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.
Shipping Information
- Prepaid Orders: ₹75 for orders up to ₹999, FREE shipping above ₹999
- COD Orders: ₹125 shipping + ₹50 COD fee = ₹175 total
- Delivery Timeline: Dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 2-7 days depending on location
Returns & Warranty
- 7-Day Return: Manufacturing defects only (approval required)
- Warranty: 7 days from delivery
- Non-Returnable: Batteries, consumables, cut wires, clearance items