Reliable environmental data acquisition in near real-time

As part of this project, we implemented a dedicated solution for communicating with pyranometers used in energy facilities. The system enables cyclic acquisition of measurement data from devices using the Modbus TCP protocol and stores the data in a local database for further analysis and integration with SCADA systems.

The solution was designed with a strong focus on reliability, low latency, and scalability.

Source: internal implementation

Key project assumptions

• Communication with pyranometers via the Modbus TCP protocol
• Data acquisition interval: approximately 1.5 seconds
• Local storage of measurement data
• Ready for integration with SCADA and analytical systems
• Stable operation in industrial environments

Solution architecture

The system is based on a lightweight, containerized architecture, ensuring easy deployment and maintenance:

• Communication application developed in Python
• Modbus TCP register polling for measurement data
• Local database for historical data storage
• Docker-based containerization for environment consistency

This approach allows the solution to be easily deployed on various platforms, including industrial PCs and on-premise servers.

Stable communication and fault handling

The application includes mechanisms for:

• automatic reconnection attempts,
• detection of communication loss with field devices,
• secure local data storage even during temporary network interruptions.

As a result, the system maintains continuous operation and minimizes the risk of data loss.

Applications in energy and renewable power systems

The solution is well suited for:

• photovoltaic power plants,
• solar irradiance monitoring systems,
• PV performance analysis,
• SCADA and energy telemetry systems.

Pyranometer data can be used for production benchmarking, alarm generation, and performance reporting.

Technologies used

• Python – communication logic and data processing
• Modbus TCP – industrial device communication
• Docker – containerization and deployment
• Local database – historical data archiving

This implementation provides a solid foundation for further system expansion, including data visualization, alarm handling, and full integration with supervisory SCADA platforms.

If you are interested in a similar solution or in integrating measurement devices into your infrastructure, feel free to contact us.