A LoRa-based IoT Monitoring System for Hybrid Solar–Wind Energy Applications Under Constrained Connectivity

Abstract

The rapid expansion of solar and wind energy systems has increased the demand for reliable monitoring solutions, particularly in regions where network infrastructure is limited or unstable. In Vietnam, most existing monitoring approaches primarily target single-source renewable installations and rely on WiFi or cellular networks, which are often unavailable in remote hybrid deployment scenarios. To address this limitation, this paper presents a low-cost IoT (Internet of Things)-based monitoring system for hybrid solar–wind energy applications, with an emphasis on reliable data acquisition under constrained connectivity conditions. The proposed system utilizes an ESP32 microcontroller integrated with a LoRa communication module to support long-range wireless transmission, while a local data buffering mechanism is employed to maintain data continuity during temporary network outages. Key electrical and environmental parameters, including voltage, current, temperature, and wind speed, are continuously monitored. Collected measurement data are stored in an InfluxDB time-series database and visualized using Grafana dashboards for real-time and historical analysis. Experimental validation demonstrates stable LoRa communication over distances of approximately 400 m in urban environments and up to 700 m in open areas, as well as consistent monitoring performance during WiFi interruptions and varying renewable input conditions. The proposed system provides a practical and reliable monitoring solution for hybrid renewable energy systems operating under limited connectivity and establishes a foundation for future extensions toward advanced data analytics and remote supervision.