What is the difference between water quality sensors powered by solar power and water quality sensors powered by traditional power?

The core difference between solar-powered water quality sensors and traditional power supply (such as mains electricity, lithium batteries) is the power supply mode, which directly determines the differences in deployment flexibility, use cost and application scenarios.

This comparison is critical, and choosing the right type of power supply can avoid maintenance problems or cost overruns later. The following are six core dimensions to distinguish between them.

1. Power supply and endurance

This is the most fundamental difference between the two, which directly affects the "independence" of the device.

Solar power supply: relies on solar panels to generate electricity, coupled with energy storage batteries to store electricity.

Advantages: As long as there is light (even on cloudy days), it can replenish the power, and theoretically can achieve "infinite endurance", without frequent replacement of power supply.

Limitations: In the environment with no light at all (such as long-term groundwater and closed pipelines), it can only rely on energy storage batteries, and the endurance is about 1-3 months.

Traditional power supply: mainly divided into two categories, one is mains electricity (220V alternating current), the other is disposable/chargeable lithium battery.

City power: it needs to lay power supply lines, its endurance depends on the power grid, and it stops when the power is cut off; it is suitable for fixed and near power supply scenarios (such as factory wastewater outlet).

Lithium battery: no wiring, but limited battery life (about 3-6 months for disposable battery, about 1-2 months for rechargeable battery), need to be replaced or charged manually regularly.

2. Deployment flexibility

The power supply directly determines where the equipment can be "installed".

Solar power: No reliance on the grid or frequent manual maintenance, can be deployed in any outdoor scene with light.

Typical scenarios: remote rivers, lake buoys, mountain reservoirs, wild aquaculture ponds.

Traditional power supply: Deployment is limited by power supply or ease of maintenance.

City power: can only be installed in areas with grid coverage (such as urban pipe network, factory), cabling costs are high (especially in long distance scenarios).

Lithium battery: although it can be deployed in the field, it needs to be replaced regularly, and the maintenance cost is high and difficult in remote areas.

3. Long-term cost of use

Calculate from both the upfront investment and the ongoing maintenance.

4. Environmental adaptability

Different power supply modes have different "tolerance" to the use environment.

Solar power supply: The equipment usually has a high protection level (IP68) and no external lines, so it can adapt to the harsh environment in the wild.

Tolerable: rain soaking, high temperature exposure, sand and dust weather (the surface of solar panels needs to be cleaned regularly).

Traditional power supply:

City power: Power supply lines are easy to be corroded (such as near water), animal damage, and troubleshooting is difficult.

Lithium battery: although the equipment is highly protective, but frequent opening and changing the battery will increase the risk of water intake and damage.

5. Applicable scenarios

The scene adaptability of the two is almost completely determined by the power supply characteristics, with almost no overlap.

Solar power supply: the core is suitable for "wild, off-grid and difficult to maintain" scenarios.

Example: lake cyanobacteria monitoring buoy, remote mountain drinking water source, open aquaculture pond, wild river section.

Traditional power supply: Core adaptation to scenarios of "fixed, near power source, easy maintenance".

City electricity: urban waterworks outlet, factory workshop wastewater pipeline, community secondary water supply tank.

Lithium battery: short-term temporary monitoring (such as emergency water quality investigation), small enclosed water bodies (such as laboratory small water pools).

6. Impact on device functionality

The way power is supplied indirectly limits the "performance ceiling" of the equipment.

Solar power supply: In order to reduce power consumption, it is usually combined with low-power sensors (such as fluorescent dissolved oxygen, optical turbidity), and the data collection frequency is low (such as 10 minutes per time).

Traditional power supply: The mains power supply equipment does not need to worry about power consumption, can integrate more high power consumption sensors (such as COD, heavy metals), data collection frequency can also be higher (such as 1 minute / time), and even support real-time transmission.