Smart Solar Charge- An IoT Based EV Monitoring System

Abstract

This paper presents the development and implementation of an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging and monitoring system utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) technology. With the increasing adoption of EVs, efficient and intelligent charging infrastructure has become critical to support sustainable transportation. The proposed system integrates IoT-enabled sensors and microcontrollers to monitor key parameters such as voltage, current, battery status, and charging duration in real-time. Data collected from the charging stations is transmitted to a cloud-based platform, enabling remote access, analysis, and control through a user-friendly interface. This approach enhances energy efficiency, ensures user safety, and allows predictive maintenance of charging infrastructure. The system also supports load management and fault detection, contributing to grid stability and operational reliability. The research highlights the potential of IoT in transforming conventional EV charging systems into smart, connected, and scalable solutions for future mobility needs.

Introduction

• The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) demands efficient and intelligent charging infrastructure.

• This study introduces a smart EV charging system that integrates:

  • Solar energy

  • Internet of Things (IoT)

  • Wireless power transfer

• The goal is to optimize energy use, enhance user experience, enable remote monitoring, and support the sustainable expansion of EV infrastructure.

II. System Concept: Smart Charge Solar

• Combines solar panels, IoT sensors, microcontrollers, and cloud platforms into a smart EV charging ecosystem.

• Capabilities:

  • Real-time monitoring of energy generation and consumption

  • Dynamic load balancing between solar and grid power

  • Predictive maintenance

  • Remote access and control via mobile/web apps

III. Benefits of IoT-Integrated Energy Monitoring

1. Real-time data collection (solar production, consumption, storage)

2. Solar & battery performance analysis

3. Load balancing between sources and EV demand

4. Predictive maintenance to reduce downtime

5. Energy usage optimization and waste reduction

6. Smart grid integration for better energy distribution

7. Enhanced user awareness and cost savings

8. Remote monitoring and automation

9. Data-driven decision-making

10. Support for emission reduction and energy compliance

IV. System Design Components

???? Smart Charge Solar Architecture

• Solar Panels: Generate renewable energy

• Smart Inverter + Battery: Store and manage solar energy

• IoT Sensors: Monitor energy parameters and vehicle charging status

• Central Control Unit: Optimizes charging based on solar input and grid conditions

• Cloud Platform: Data storage, analysis, visualization

• User Interface: Real-time tracking via mobile/web apps

???? Energy Optimization

• Uses real-time data and analytics to:

  • Adjust charging schedules

  • Reduce grid dependency

  • Lower energy costs and carbon footprint

V. IoT Communication Framework

• Sensors collect data from:

  • Solar panels

  • Batteries

  • EV chargers

• Data is transmitted via:

  • MQTT / CoAP protocols to gateway

  • HTTPS / WebSocket to cloud server

• Cloud platform performs:

  • Predictive analytics

  • Visualization and reporting

• Feedback loop enables automated system control and optimization

VI. System Architecture (Block Diagram)

Core Elements:

1. ESP8266 Wi-Fi Module – main controller for communication and logic

2. IR Sensor – detects vehicle presence

3. Voltage Sensor – monitors battery and charging voltage

4. Relay Module – controls power delivery

5. Wireless Coils – transmit and receive power wirelessly

6. Charger Circuit – regulates charging current

7. Battery – stores received energy

8. LCD Display – shows system parameters

9. IoT Server (e.g., Blynk/ThingSpeak) – cloud-based data access

VII. Hardware Components

• Microcontroller: ESP8266 (with built-in Wi-Fi)

• Sensors: IR and voltage sensors

• Power Transfer: Wireless coil transmitter and receiver

• User Interface: LCD display and remote IoT dashboard

• Power Supply: Regulated DC for system operation

VIII. Software Components

• Arduino IDE: For firmware development in C/C++

• IoT Platforms: (e.g., Blynk, ThingSpeak, Firebase) for data visualization and remote access

• Embedded Code: Handles data collection, control logic, safety features

• Mobile/Web Dashboards: Allow users to monitor and manage system performance remotely

Conclusion

The proposed system, Smart Charge Solar, successfully integrates solar energy and IoT technology to create an efficient, eco-friendly, and smart EV charging and monitoring solution. By using real-time data collection and cloud-based monitoring, users can track energy consumption, charging performance, and solar contribution remotely. This reduces dependency on grid electricity and promotes the use of renewable energy. The system is cost-effective, scalable, and user-friendly, making it suitable for both personal and small-scale commercial EV charging setups. Overall, it contributes to the development of sustainable and intelligent transportation infrastructure. Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Pradnya Pramod Narwade, Prof. V. V. Kulkarni. 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.