---
title: "Solar Panel Protection System"
url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/mayuri/projects/solar-panel-protection-system/"
markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/mayuri/projects/solar-panel-protection-system/md"
type: "UCC: User Created Content"
author: "Douglas J. Lee, Dillon Vadgama, Sachin Reddy"
author_url: "https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/getfile.asp?id=16270"
editor: "WIZnet"
editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/"
original_author: "Douglas J. Lee, Dillon Vadgama, Sachin Reddy"
original_url: "https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/getfile.asp?id=16270"
published: "2022-10-04"
language: "en"
hardware: ["WIZnet W5500"]
likes: 4
views: 924
comments: 0
source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)"
---

# Solar Panel Protection System

> Walmart sued Tesla due to solar panel failures. ● Seven roof fires at different locations. ● Detecting solar panel failures can help prevent

Original author: Douglas J. Lee, Dillon Vadgama, Sachin Reddy (source: https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/getfile.asp?id=16270)

## Components

- **WIZnet W5500** x 1 ([docs](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500))

WIZnet parts: W5500 ([Datasheet](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500/datasheet?utm_source=maker&utm_medium=project&utm_campaign=w5500), [product hub](https://maker.wiznet.io/products/w5500/))

## Article

Problem

● 60 research solar panels

● None are in use

● They do not have ANY protection systems in place currently

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/495107820%5F1664918406%2Epng)

Solar Panels Without Protection Systems

● Walmart sued Tesla due to solar panel failures.

● Seven roof fires at different locations.

● Detecting solar panel failures can help prevent catastrophes

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/495107820%5F1664918453%2Epng)

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/495107820%5F1664918481%2Epng)

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/495107820%5F1664918505%2Epng)

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/495107820%5F1664918530%2Epng)

Objectives

● Disconnect the solar panel if failure conditions occur

○ Over-current ○ Over-voltage ○ Over-heating

● Remote monitoring of system parameters over Ethernet ○ Voltages ○ Current ○ Power ○ Temperatures

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/495107820%5F1664918596%2Epng)

Design - Subsystem Requirements

● The switching subsystem must output the configurations shown below

● Default State - Not Connected

● Capable of delivering the maximum voltage and current of the solar panel.

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/495107820%5F1664918672%2Epng)

Conclusion

● Project was a success! ○ Customer was more than satisfied

● Tentative plans for 60 units to be installed next Spring

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/495107820%5F1664918734%2Epng)

---

Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/mayuri/projects/solar-panel-protection-system/