Performance evaluation of a solar-driven IoT water quality monitoring system using descriptive and ANOVA analysis

Abstract

Water quality monitoring is vital for protecting aquatic ecosystems and ensuring sustainable water resource management. Traditional manual sampling methods are often costly, time-consuming, and unsuitable for real-time assessment. This study presents a newly designed solar-powered IoT-based water quality monitoring system for remote and continuous data collection. The system utilizes an ESP32 microcontroller integrated with pH, temperature, and total dissolved solids (TDS) sensors, powered by a 10W solar panel. Data is transmitted to a cloud-based platform wirelessly, enabling remote access and visualization via a mobile app. Performance evaluation included descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA across four sampling sites. ANOVA results showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in water quality parameters among locations, confirming the system’s sensitivity. Sensor accuracy was validated against standard meters, revealing mean relative errors below 5% for pH and TDS. The system reliably provides real-time, accurate data, supporting proactive water quality management. Integrating IoT with renewable energy offers a cost-effective, scalable, and energy-efficient solution for environmental monitoring in remote or resource-limited areas.