Solar-powered IoT – monitoring without grid power
Many of the most valuable IoT monitoring locations – remote pump stations, bridge structures, agricultural fields, mines – have no grid power. Solar panels combined with lithium batteries make autonomous, year-round IoT deployments possible even in Nordic latitudes.
Sizing a solar IoT system
A typical LoRaWAN gateway consuming 3-5W requires a 20-40W panel and a 20-50 Ah battery for reliable Nordic winter operation. Sensor-Online sensors at 15-minute reporting intervals typically draw less than 0.1W average, making them compatible with even small solar setups.
Key considerations
- Panel orientation – south-facing at latitude angle for maximum annual yield
- Battery chemistry – LiFePO4 handles cold better than standard Li-Ion, recommended for Nordic deployments
- Charge controller – MPPT controller maximises efficiency, essential for winter
- Sensor-Online battery monitoring – all devices report battery voltage, Sensor-Online alerts before depletion
See solar-compatible IoT hardware or explore the platform.
