International Journal of Applied Power Engineering (IJAPE)
Vol 15, No 2: June 2026

Smart IoT-based temperature-controlled cooling system for solar panels using Arduino

Mula Sreenivasa Reddy (MLR Institute of Technology)
Kondragunta Rama Krishnaiah (R K College of Engineering)
Anjali Devi Gorla (VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology)
Anantha Sravanthi Peddinti (Aditya University)
Sanam Nagendram (KKR & KSR Institute of Technology and Sciences)
Mohammad Najumunnisa (Dhanekula Institute of Engineering and Technology)
Bodapati Venkata Rajanna (MLR Institute of Technology)
Shaik Hasane Ahammad (Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation)
Gongati Pandu Ranga Reddy (G. Pullaiah College of Engineering and Technology)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Jun 2026

Abstract

The efficiency of solar photovoltaic panels declines significantly as their surface temperature increases beyond optimal levels. This paper presents a smart, temperature-controlled cooling system based on an Arduino UNO microcontroller to enhance solar panel performance by mitigating overheating. The system integrates a DS18B20 temperature sensor and a moisture sensor to monitor real-time environmental conditions. When the temperature exceeds a defined threshold, the Arduino activates a CPU fan and water pump to dissipate heat effectively. Experimental testing demonstrated an efficiency improvement of approximately 10% to 12% during peak solar conditions. A hysteresis logic-based system with autonomous control is used to control the amount of energy and water utilized, by only cooling when required. An LCD screen displays real-time information locally on-site, while an ESP8266 WiFi module sends information to a "cloud" so that remote monitoring can occur through the ThingSpeak cloud service. The entire system operates entirely from solar energy and is capable of being operated off-the-grid as well as being environmentally friendly. Due to its low cost, modularity, and energy efficiency, this smart cooling solution provides a viable solution for rural areas or areas with limited resources to enhance the performance of photovoltaic systems.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

IJAPE

Publisher

Subject

Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Description

International Journal of Applied Power Engineering (IJAPE) focuses on the applied works in the areas of power generation, transmission and distribution, sustainable energy, applications of power control in large power systems, etc. The main objective of IJAPE is to bring out the latest practices in ...