Design and Implementation of a PLC-Based SCADA System for Real-Time Monitoring and Control of Photovoltaic Energy Conversion

Al-Naib, Ahmed; Mohammed, Majeed I.

doi:10.21608/jesaun.2025.392688.1553

Design and Implementation of a PLC-Based SCADA System for Real-Time Monitoring and Control of Photovoltaic Energy Conversion

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Ahmed Al-Naib ¹
Majeed I. Mohammed ²

¹ Department of Electrical Engineering Techniques, Technical Engineering College/Mosul, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq

² Department of Electrical Engineering Techniques, Technical Engineering College/ Mosul, Northern Technical University , Mosul, Iraq

10.21608/jesaun.2025.392688.1553

Abstract

This study presents the development and experimental evaluation of a photovoltaic (PV) monitoring and control system utilizing a Siemens S7-1200 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The proposed system was integrated with a DC-DC boost converter and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) supervision. The system was designed to stabilize the fluctuating output of PV panels by employing a closed-loop control strategy using a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller in conjunction with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) techniques, maintaining a stable output voltage despite variations in solar input. The PLC, programmed via TIA Portal V17, serves as the central processing unit, acquiring analog signals from PV modules and facilitating data logging, processing, and visualization. Field testing was conducted in Kirkuk City over a 10-hour operational window to monitor key PV parameters, including terminal voltage, load current, output power, temperature, and solar irradiance. Experimental results confirm the system's effectiveness in real-time data acquisition, robust voltage regulation, and user-centric monitoring. The architecture demonstrates high scalability, accuracy, and reliability, with a cost-effective and modular design suitable for industrial deployment. Moreover, the system’s flexible structure supports adaptation for broader industrial monitoring applications following minimal calibration. This approach offers a promising solution for enhancing operational efficiency, reducing maintenance demands, and maximizing the performance of renewable energy systems.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Electrical power and machines engineering.

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