Smart Load Management Using Arduino

Abstract

This paper presents a smart automatic switching system that controlsasolar-poweredbulb based on peak solar duration while continuously monitoring real-time energy consumption. The system consists of three bulbs,outofwhichtwoare permanently powered by mains electricity, and one bulb is activated solely by solar power during peak sunlight hours. The system utilizes an Arduino microcontroller, relay modules for switching, and sensors to measure voltage, current, and power consumption, with real-time data displayed on an LCD. This approach optimizes solar power utilization, reduces energy consumption, and enables real-timemonitoringforefficiencyanalysis. The proposed system provides a cost-effective and scalable solution for smart energy management.

Introduction

I. Smart Load Management Overview

Smart load management is an innovative approach to optimizing energy consumption and enhancing the efficiency of power systems. As global electricity demand rises due to technological advancements and urbanization, effective energy management solutions are increasingly critical. Smart load management leverages advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and real-time data analytics to monitor, control, and optimize energy use across various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

The primary goal of smart load management is to balance electricity supply and demand. This is particularly important with the increasing reliance on renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, which can be intermittent in nature. By dynamically adjusting energy consumption patterns—shifting usage to periods of high renewable generation or lower demand—smart load management systems help maintain grid stability and reliability.

Additionally, these systems facilitate cost savings for both consumers and businesses. By optimizing energy usage, users can benefit from lower electricity rates during off-peak hours, reducing overall energy bills. For industries, efficient load management leads to enhanced operational performance and reduced energy waste, driving profitability.

Smart load management also empowers consumers with real-time insights into their energy usage, allowing them to make informed decisions and adopt more sustainable practices. This not only fosters a culture of energy efficiency but also contributes to reducing carbon footprints on a broader scale.

II. Literature Survey

Several studies have explored solar energy utilization and automation, highlighting various approaches and their limitations:

• Hannan M. A. et al. (2017): Discussed smart solar energy systems and energy storage management, emphasizing intelligent control systems to reduce reliance on grid electricity. However, their focus remained on large-scale applications.

• El-Shahat A. et al. (2013): Presented a solar lighting system that could automatically switch between solar and grid supply. While the system demonstrated reliable operation, it lacked real-time energy monitoring, a vital feature for tracking power consumption and optimizing energy use.

• G. Saini and A. Jain (2019): Designed an Arduino-based solar-powered smart streetlight system, highlighting the benefits of automation using microcontrollers for energy saving in public lighting. However, the solution was specifically tailored for outdoor applications and did not include load monitoring or power display.

• K. Sharma and P. Mehta (2020): Developed a real-time home automation system using Arduino, allowing control of electrical appliances and scheduling. While versatile, the study did not incorporate solar energy use or automatic switching based on renewable source availability.

• S. M. Hossain (2017): Developed a solar-powered household load management system that allowed automatic control of loads based on solar availability. However, it lacked an interface for visualizing real-time consumption data or any feedback mechanism for users.

• M. A. Khan and R. Singh (2016): Proposed a hybrid solar-grid system for lighting with automatic switching and battery backup. While efficient, it added complexity and cost due to the integration of battery storage.

• H. Patel and P. Agarwal (2021): Discussed a solar switching system using Arduino and sensors to control energy flow. The system included automation and basic monitoring but lacked detailed real-time data display and user feedback features.

These studies indicate that while various systems have explored solar energy utilization and automation, most either lacked real-time monitoring, were designed for large-scale use, or were too costly due to battery integration. The proposed project aims to fill this gap by offering a cost-effective, Arduino-based solution with automatic switching during solar peak hours and real-time monitoring through an LCD display—ideal for small-scale home or classroom applications.

III. System Overview

The proposed system is a smart, Arduino-based energy management solution that automates the switching of a lighting load (bulb) based on solar power availability. It is designed to optimize solar energy utilization during peak sunlight hours and monitor power consumption in real time.

Components:

• Bulbs: Three bulbs are used—two powered by mains electricity and one powered by solar energy during peak sunlight hours.

• Arduino Microcontroller: Acts as the central controller, processing inputs from sensors and controlling the relay for switching the solar-powered bulb.

• Sensors: Voltage and current sensors monitor the solar panel's output and the power consumption of the solar-powered bulb.

• Relay Module: Controls the switching mechanism of the solar-powered bulb.

• LCD Display: Displays real-time voltage, current, and calculated power consumption.

Working Principle:

1. Solar Monitoring: The voltage sensor continuously checks the solar panel's output. When the voltage exceeds a set threshold, indicating peak solar conditions, the Arduino activates the relay to switch ON the solar-powered bulb.

2. Automatic Switching: Upon detecting peak solar voltage, the Arduino triggers the relay to switch ON the solar-powered bulb. Outside peak hours, the bulb remains OFF and does not switch to mains.

3. Real-Time Monitoring: The current and voltage drawn by the solar-powered bulb are measured using sensors. These values are processed by the Arduino and displayed on the LCD screen, allowing users to monitor solar utilization effectively.

4. Continuous Operation: The other two bulbs remain ON and are directly connected to the AC mains, unaffected by the Arduino system.

Software Implementation:

The software is developed using the Arduino IDE with the following logic:

1. Initialize pins, sensors, and LCD.

2. Continuously read voltage from the solar panel.dl.acm.org+9iopscience.iop.org+9wired.com+9

3. Compare voltage to threshold.smartechmolabs.com+14wired.com+14sciencedirect.com+14

4. If threshold is met, activate relay to power the solar bulb.

5. Read current and voltage, calculate power, and display on LCD.

6. If voltage drops below threshold, turn OFF the relay.

IV. Methodology

The methodology involves the design and implementation of a solar-powered bulb switching system with real-time power monitoring, controlled by an Arduino microcontroller. The system ensures that one of the three bulbs operates only during peak solar hours using solar energy, while the remaining two bulbs are continuously powered by the mains supply. The process includes hardware integration, software programming, and sensor-based automation.

System Architecture:

• Solar Panel: Captures solar energy and provides voltage to power one bulb during peak sunlight.moldstud.com

• Arduino UNO/Nano: Acts as the central controller to manage sensor readings, timing, and relay switching logic.

• Relay Module: Controls the switching mechanism of the solar-powered bulb.

• Voltage Sensor: Monitors the output voltage of the solar panel to detect peak solar conditions.

• Current Sensor (ACS712 or INA219): Measures the current flowing to the solar-powered bulb for real-time monitoring.

• LCD Display (16x2): Displays real-time voltage, current, and calculated power.

• 3 Bulbs: Two are permanently powered by mains; one is powered by solar only during peak hours.

Working Principle:

1. Solar Monitoring: The voltage sensor continuously checks the solar panel's output. When the voltage exceeds a set threshold (e.g., 12V), it indicates peak solar conditions.

2. Automatic Switching: Upon detecting peak solar voltage, the Arduino triggers the relay to switch ON the solar-powered bulb. Outside peak hours, the bulb remains OFF and does not switch to mains.

3. Real-Time Monitoring: The current and voltage drawn by the solar-powered bulb are measured using sensors. These values are processed to compute the power consumption in watts.

4. Data Display: The computed voltage, current, and power values are displayed on the LCD screen in real-time, allowing users to monitor solar utilization effectively.

5. Continuous Operation: The other two bulbs remain ON and are directly connected to the AC mains, unaffected by the Arduino system.

Software Implementation:

The software is developed using the Arduino IDE with the following logic:

1. Initialize pins, sensors, and LCD.

2. Continuously read voltage from the solar panel.

3. Compare voltage to threshold.

4. If threshold is met, activate relay to power the solar bulb.

5. Read current and voltage, calculate power, and display on LCD.smartechmolabs.com

6. If voltage drops below threshold, turn OFF the relay.

Conclusion

This project successfully demonstrates a smart and energy-efficient lighting system using solar power andArduinoautomation.Itshowshowonebulbcan be powered only by solar energy during peak sunlight hours, while the other two bulbs continueto use regular mains electricity. The system automatically switches the solar bulb ON and OFF based on sunlight availability, without any manual effort. Real-time monitoring through sensors and an LCD display helps track theenergyusage,makingiteasy to understand and manage solar energy consumption. The system worked reliably during testing and helped reduce the use of grid electricity during the day. Overall,theprojectprovidesasimple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solution for smart energy use. It can be used in homes, schools, or small businesses to promotebetteruseofrenewable energy and reduce electricity bills.

References

[1] M. A. Hannan, M. M. Hoque, A. Mohamed, and H. Ayob, \"Review of energy storage systems for electricvehicleapplications:Issuesandchallenges,\"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 69, pp. 771–789, Mar. 2017. [2] A. El-Shahat, M. Alhaj, and F. Khan, \"Solar energy applicationsinsmartbuildingsandhomes,\"inProc. IEEE 7th GCC Conf. & Exhibition, Doha, Qatar, 2013, pp. 145–150. [3] G.SainiandA.Jain,\"DesignandImplementationof Solar Powered Smart Street Light System Using IoT,\"International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT), vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 60–64, 2019. [4] K. SharmaandP.Mehta,\"ArduinoBasedReal-Time Monitoring and Automation System for Energy Saving,\"International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 1450–1455, Feb. 2020. [5] S. M. Hossain, \"Design and Implementation of an Automatic Solar Power Control System for Home Applications,\"International Journal of Scientific andResearchPublications,vol.7,no.3,pp.92–97,2017. [6] H. Patel and P. Agarwal, \"Smart Switching System using Arduino for Solar Energy Management,\"International Journal of Scientific Research and EngineeringDevelopment(IJSRED),vol.4,no.5,pp. 1–5, 2021. [7] M. A. Khan and R. Singh, \"Development of an Energy Efficient Lighting System Using Solar and Grid Power,\"IEEE International Conference on Power Electronics, Intelligent Control and Energy Systems (ICPEICES), 2016, pp. 1–4.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Rohan Salve, Ajinkya Dike, Rehan Sayyed, Pratik Sonune, Ashwini Khade. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.