Design and Implementation of Effective Real Time Monitoring System for Utility Solar Power Plant

This paper presents the design and implementation of a Solar PowerPlant Monitoring System using Node-RED, MySQL, RS-485communication, and industrial networking components. The objective ofthe system is to provide real-time monitoring, data logging, andintelligent analysis of various parameters of a solar power plant,including voltage, current, power output, energy generation, andequipment health status.The research utilizes RS-485-based sensors/meters connected throughRS-485 to Ethernet converters and industrial network switches toestablish long-distance and reliable communication. Node-RED servesas the central processing platform used for data acquisition, protocolhandling, workflow automation, and dashboard visualization. Thecollected data is stored in a MySQL database for long-term logging,analysis, and report generation. The system is scalable, cost-effective,and suitable for small to large grid-connected or standalone solarinstallations.This monitoring system enhances performance tracking, improves faultdetection capability, reduces downtime, and supports data-drivendecision-making for efficient solar plant operation.