PV Efficiency vs Temperature Study Kit with Arduino Uno + LED
PV Efficiency vs Temperature Study Kit with Arduino Uno — Quantify How Heat Degrades Solar Output
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
This kit guides you through building a precision data logger that simultaneously records solar panel surface temperature and electrical power output, then plots the efficiency trend over a heating cycle. Ideal for engineering students validating the negative temperature coefficient of silicon cells, the project produces publishable datasets for labs or hackathons. With dual DS18B20 probes tracking ambient vs. panel temperature and an INA219 capturing real-time IV parameters, you will generate a complete efficiency-versus-temperature curve.
What You'll Build
You will assemble a standalone instrument that exposes a 6V 2W solar panel to controlled heat (or natural sunlight) while an Arduino Uno logs temperature from two DS18B20 sensors, voltage and current from an INA219, and timestamps from a DS3231 RTC, displaying live data on a 0.96-inch OLED and writing CSV files to a microSD card. The final prototype lets you repeat measurements, export to a computer, and instantly see how every degree rise in temperature costs a measurable fraction of efficiency.
What You'll Learn
- Calibrate and read digital temperature sensors (DS18B20) using 1-Wire protocol
- Acquire high-side current and voltage measurements with the INA219 over I2C
- Implement real-time clock (DS3231) for time-stamped data logging to SD card
- Analyze and visualize photovoltaic efficiency degradation with temperature in Python or Excel
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arduino Uno R3 | x1 |
| DS18B20 Probe | x2 |
| INA219 | x1 |
| Solar Panel 6V 2W | x1 |
| DS3231 RTC | x1 |
| MicroSD Module | x1 |
| 0.96in OLED | x1 |
| 4.7kΩ Resistors | x5 |
| 100nF Caps | x10 |
| PCB Prototype Board | x2 |
| 9V Battery Snap | x1 |
| Soldering Iron | x1 |
| Solder Wire | x1 |
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
B.Tech ECE/EEE students studying renewable energy mini-projects, Smart India Hackathon participants tackling energy efficiency challenges, and CBSE Class 12 students pursuing advanced physics investigations on solar cell characteristics will find every component and code scaffold ready. The soldering requirement makes it equally suitable for skill-building in ATL Tinkering Labs and IIT/NIT/VIT/BITS project labs.
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?
The AI companion understands every circuit connection and code line for this kit. Scan the QR code to start a chat; for hands‑on tips, you can also send photos via WhatsApp and our engineers respond within hours.
Can I use this kit without a soldering iron?
The included soldering iron is intended for this project; soldered joints keep signal paths stable during hours of temperature logging. The build guide includes a basic soldering primer, and the AI companion can critique your joint photos.
Do I need a separate heat source to vary the panel temperature?
The kit itself allows passive solar heating experiments. For controlled lab runs, you can use an incandescent lamp or warm plate (not supplied). The two DS18B20 probes let you separate panel temperature from ambient drift.
Can I extend the project to log over Wi-Fi or IoT?
The Arduino Uno lacks native Wi-Fi. Our migration note in the companion app shows you how to swap in an ESP8266 or ESP32 (not included) to push data to the cloud, using the same sensor breakout connections.
DS18B20 on panel + INA219 show how cell efficiency drops with rising temperature.
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.
Other projects you can build
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