Sunstrike Optics — PV Monitoring

PV-Scope — Photovoltaic Monitoring for Education and Research

A cost-effective, field-deployable system for real-time PV performance monitoring, data logging, and characterization — designed for educators and researchers who need real data from real systems.

✓ Currently deployed in Texas A&M University's Harnessing Solar Energy course — 3 units in active use

What It Is

A complete PV monitoring instrument, not a kit

PV-Scope is a purpose-built monitoring system for photovoltaic panels and small arrays. It measures and logs the parameters that matter — voltage, current, power, irradiance, and temperature — at enough resolution to support real educational and research use.

We designed it to be deployable in field conditions, not just lab benches. The enclosure is custom-fabricated, the firmware is purpose-written, and the system is built to the standard we'd want to hand to a student or leave unattended at an outdoor installation.

PV-Scope monitoring system deployed at Texas A&M University
Deployed at Texas A&M — pyranometer, wind sensor, and PV module under test
PV-Scope system schematic showing measurement architecture
System architecture — solar sense, ENV sense, power measurement, and IV curve tracing

Who It's For

Built for the people who actually need this data

University Courses

Gives students direct access to live PV performance data in solar energy, electrical engineering, or sustainability courses. Currently in use at Texas A&M.

Research Groups

Affordable enough to instrument multiple panels or test configurations without eating a grant budget. Data export designed for analysis.

Community Installations

Appropriate for community solar projects, co-ops, or organizations wanting to monitor and understand their systems without commercial enterprise software.

Independent Learners

For serious DIYers and makers who've outgrown basic hobbyist tools and need real measurement capability for solar projects.

System Capabilities

What PV-Scope measures and logs

Measurements Voltage, current, power output, irradiance, module and ambient temperature
Data Logging Onboard logging with configurable sample rate; data export for analysis
Enclosure Custom 3D-printed, weatherized enclosure designed for outdoor deployment
Processing Microprocessor-based, purpose-built firmware
Compatible Systems Small to medium PV panels and arrays; portable and building-integrated
Units Available Small quantities; custom configurations available on request

Detailed specifications and data sheets available upon inquiry. We build in small batches and can discuss configuration to match your specific application.

Connection to SHINE

PV monitoring as part of the larger picture

PV-Scope and our measurement platform are also used in the context of the SHINE initiative — providing instrumentation for the photovoltaic components of SHINE's solar test setups and helping characterize system performance alongside concentrating thermal work. The same data logging and fabrication capabilities that go into PV-Scope support our solar furnace instrumentation.

This cross-application is intentional: we build tools that work across the solar work we do, rather than single-purpose instruments.

Published Research

The PV-Scope monitoring platform is documented in a peer-reviewed publication in Electronics (MDPI):

PV-Scope: A Low-Cost Photovoltaic Monitoring System — Electronics 2025, 14(21), 4305 →

Interested in PV-Scope for your institution or project?

We're currently producing units in small quantities and welcome inquiries from educators, researchers, and project teams. Tell us about your application and we'll discuss what makes sense.

Get in Touch →