{"product_id":"kit-solar-irradiance-differential-tracker","title":"Solar Irradiance Differential Tracker","description":"\u003ch1\u003eSolar Irradiance Differential Tracker Kit — Arduino-Powered Cloud \u0026amp; Wind Inference\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"value-summary\"\u003eEvery part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"specs-strip\"\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Advanced\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuild Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5-6 hrs\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18-21\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkill:\u003c\/strong\u003e Inferring cloud cover and wind from irradiance gradients\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlace four BH1750 light sensors facing north, south, east, and west, and your Arduino Uno computes the horizontal irradiance gradient in real time. As clouds drift across the sky, the differential readings reveal cloud cover, direction, and even hint at wind speed — transforming raw light intensity into actionable environmental data without expensive meteorological instruments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You'll Build\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’ll assemble a portable sensing station that logs multi‑directional solar irradiance to an SD card, displays live gradient values on an OLED screen, and timestamps every reading with a DS3231 RTC. The unit can run unattended for field studies, giving you a fresh layer of insight into local weather patterns and atmospheric dynamics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You'll Learn\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWiring multiple I2C sensors using a TCA9548A multiplexer to avoid address conflicts\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eProgramming the Arduino to calculate irradiance differences between cardinal directions\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eInterpreting gradient data to infer cloud movement and approximate wind direction\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLogging time‑stamped sensor arrays to a MicroSD card for offline analysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKit Contents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eComponent\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eQuantity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArduino Uno R3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBH1750\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTCA9548A I2C Mux\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDS3231 RTC\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMicroSD Module\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.96in OLED\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.7kΩ Resistors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100nF Caps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCB Prototype Board\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoldering Iron\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolder Wire\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ex1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFactor\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSourcing Separately\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCompoden Kit\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility checks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYou verify every part\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePre-tested as a system\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBuild support\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForums and scattered tutorials\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAI companion trained on this exact project\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTime to first working build\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDays of debugging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHours, with step-by-step guidance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShipping coordination\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMultiple sellers, multiple delays\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOne shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho This Kit Is For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis advanced project is designed for B.Tech ECE\/EEE students building environmental monitoring systems, Smart India Hackathon teams prototyping weather stations, and researchers at IITs, NITs, VIT, or BITS Pilani who need a ready‑to‑deploy irradiance gradient measurement rig. It’s also a strong fit for ATL Tinkering Lab mentors guiding undergraduate exploration in atmospheric sensing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt and Backed by Compoden\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat if I get stuck during the build?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eScan the QR code on the box to launch the AI companion trained on this kit. It can guide you through wiring, code upload, and sensor calibration. If you need a human, our WhatsApp support team is a message away.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCan this kit measure absolute solar irradiance values?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe BH1750 outputs calibrated lux; you can convert to W\/m² using standard formulas. The kit’s primary focus is the differential gradient between sensors, which is more robust for cloud and wind inference.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDoes the I2C multiplexer slow down sensor reads?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. The TCA9548A switches channels in microseconds, and the companion code polls all four BH1750 sensors fast enough to track moving clouds. A full four‑sensor read cycle completes in under 10 ms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs the kit weatherproof for outdoor deployment?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe sensors and board are not weatherproofed, but you can house the entire unit inside a transparent plastic enclosure. With the RTC, you can log weeks of data unattended if the enclosure shields against rain and direct moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"kit-description\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eFour BH1750 sensors at cardinal points compute horizontal irradiance gradient to infer cloud cover and wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003ch4\u003eWhat's in this kit\u003c\/h4\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/uno-r3-ch340g-atmega328p-board-arduino-compatible\"\u003eArduino Uno R3\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/gy-30-bh1750fvi-light-intensity-sensor-module-for-arduinoesp\"\u003eBH1750\u003c\/a\u003e x4\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/tca9548a-8-channel-i2c-multiplexer-breakout-for-arduino-raspberry-pi\"\u003eTCA9548A I2C Mux\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ds3231-real-time-clock-module-i2c-rtc-with-battery-backup\"\u003eDS3231 RTC\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsd-card-reader-spi-module-for-arduino\"\u003eMicroSD Module\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/096in-oled-display-128x64-i2cspi-for-arduino-raspberry-pi\"\u003e0.96in OLED\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/resistor-variety-pack-100-pcs-10-values-14w-carbon-film\"\u003e4.7kΩ Resistors\u003c\/a\u003e x10\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/capacitor-variety-pack-6-values-100nf-to-470uf-30-pieces\"\u003e100nF Caps\u003c\/a\u003e x10\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/esp-wroom-32-breakout-board-pcb-55x52mm\"\u003ePCB Prototype Board\u003c\/a\u003e x2\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/soldering-kit-25w-with-solder-wire-flux-paste-compoden\"\u003eSoldering Iron\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/soldering-kit-25w-with-solder-wire-flux-paste-compoden\"\u003eSolder Wire\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is included in the Solar Irradiance Differential Tracker?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The Solar Irradiance Differential Tracker includes all components needed: Arduino Uno R3, BH1750, TCA9548A I2C Mu, DS3231 RTC, MicroSD Module and more. Everything is pre-tested for compatibility and shipped from Bengaluru, India.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What skill level is required for the Solar Irradiance Differential Tracker?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"This kit is designed for Advanced level makers, suitable for ages 18-21. Four BH1750 sensors at cardinal points compute horizontal irradiance gradient to infer cloud cover and wind. Estimated build time is 5-6 hrs.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Can I buy the Solar Irradiance Differential Tracker online in India?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes, the Solar Irradiance Differential Tracker is available online at Compoden (compoden.in), India's AI-powered electronics and robotics store. Ships from Bengaluru in 1-5 business days across India.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Product\",\n  \"name\": \"Solar Irradiance Differential Tracker\",\n  \"description\": \"Four BH1750 sensors at cardinal points compute horizontal irradiance gradient to infer cloud cover and wind.\",\n  \"sku\": \"CDN-KIT-0153\",\n  \"brand\": {\"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"Compoden\"},\n  \"offers\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/compoden.in\/products\/kit-solar-irradiance-differential-tracker\",\n    \"priceCurrency\": \"INR\",\n    \"price\": \"3990\",\n    \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n    \"seller\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Compoden\"}\n  },\n  \"category\": \"Weather \u0026 Environment\"\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoose your assembly option:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoldering Kit\u003c\/strong\u003e — 25W soldering iron, 60\/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreadboard Combo\u003c\/strong\u003e — 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Compoden","offers":[{"title":"Soldering Kit","offer_id":53459771064685,"sku":"CDN-KIT-0153-SLD","price":3330.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Breadboard Combo","offer_id":53459771097453,"sku":"CDN-KIT-0153-BB","price":2800.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0999\/3997\/5533\/files\/kit-solar-irradiance-differential-tracker.png?v=1781944269","url":"https:\/\/compoden.com\/products\/kit-solar-irradiance-differential-tracker","provider":"Compoden","version":"1.0","type":"link"}