Solar Panel Mount

3D-PAWS stations are designed for remote, off-grid deployment and rely on solar energy for continuous operation. Using solar power enables long-term data collection without frequent site visits, but it also means that proper panel sizing, placement, and orientation are critical to system reliability.

Depending on the data logger used, the 3D-PAWS system supports multiple solar power configurations with different power requirements. This page describes the supported solar setups and provides guidance on mounting and orienting the solar panel for reliable operation.

Solar Power Configurations

The 3D-PAWS system currently supports two distinct solar power configurations, tailored to the power needs of each data logger.

Particle Boron Data Logger

The Particle Boron data logger uses a low-power solar configuration consisting of:

A 5W, 6V Voltaic solar panel (ETFE-coated, IP67-rated)
A V50 USB battery pack for energy storage

This setup provides approximately 6.12V peak voltage and ~940 mA current, which is sufficient for low-power cellular data logging. The battery pack supports overnight operation, while the panel’s 50 cm waterproof cable simplifies outdoor mounting.

This configuration is well-suited for long-term, low-maintenance deployments where power consumption is minimal.

Raspberry Pi Data Logger

The Raspberry Pi 3B+ requires a higher-power solar setup due to its increased energy demand. This configuration includes:

A 20W, 12V solar panel
A 12V battery for energy storage
A charge controller (PWM or MPPT) to prevent overcharging
A buck converter to step down 12V to 5V / 2A for the Raspberry Pi

This setup accounts for the Raspberry Pi’s approximate 5.25W power consumption and supports additional peripherals such as Grove sensors or cellular modems. A low-voltage cutoff is recommended to protect the battery during extended low-sun conditions.

Note: Both solar configurations benefit from careful panel placement and orientation, particularly during winter or in locations with limited sunlight.

Solar Panel Placement

Before setting the panel angle, ensure the panel is installed in a location with:

Minimal shading throughout the day
Clear exposure to the sun, especially during midday hours
A stable and secure mount that can withstand wind and weather

Shading and poor placement often have a larger impact on performance than small errors in tilt angle.

Field Tip: Even partial shading on a solar panel can significantly reduce power output. Always prioritize shade-free placement over fine angle adjustments.

Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle

To maximize energy production, the solar panel should be mounted at an appropriate tilt angle. The optimal tilt depends primarily on your geographic location, specifically your latitude, and can be adjusted to improve seasonal performance.

Why Tilt Matters

Solar panels produce the most power when sunlight strikes the panel perpendicularly. Setting the panel at an appropriate tilt increases the total sunlight received throughout the day and can significantly improve charging performance — especially in regions where the sun’s elevation changes with the seasons.

Simple Guidelines for Setting Panel Angle

Fixed (Year-Round) Mount

For a fixed installation that will not be adjusted:

Set the panel tilt angle approximately equal to your latitude
This provides good performance across all seasons with minimal effort

This approach is recommended for most deployments where reliability and simplicity are priorities.

Seasonal Adjustment (Optional)

If the panel mount allows for occasional adjustment, seasonal tuning can improve performance:

Summer: set tilt to latitude minus 10–15°
Winter: set tilt to latitude plus 10–15°
Spring/Fall: set tilt close to your latitude

Note: Seasonal adjustment is optional. Small deviations from the ideal angle typically have a modest impact compared to shading, placement, or panel size.

Next Steps

Once the solar panel is mounted and oriented, proceed to the build instructions for your selected data logger configuration. The following sections provide step-by-step guidance for assembling and wiring each solar power system.

Instruction Slides

Solar Panel mount for Particle Data Logger

Video Tutorial

This video demonstrates how to build the solar panel mount for the Particle Data Logger. There is only one video in this playlist.