At our lab, we’ve been quietly developing a solution to one of the most persistent challenges in renewable energy and environmental monitoring: creating truly adaptive systems that respond intelligently to changing conditions without requiring constant connectivity or cloud dependencies. Today, we’re revealing the SunFlwr project—an embedded system that represents a fundamental rethinking of how industrial environmental monitoring should operate.

The SunFlwr platform is built around the powerful STM32F7 microcontroller, providing the computational horsepower needed for complex environmental calculations without the vulnerabilities and dependencies of cloud-based solutions. This approach creates a system that thrives even in environments where connectivity is intermittent or compromised.

Intelligence at the Edge, Where It Matters Most

At its core, SunFlwr comprises a sophisticated positional tracking system that continuously calculates the Sun’s precise position based on location and time data. Unlike conventional trackers that rely on light sensors prone to interference from cloud cover or reflections, our system employs advanced astronomical algorithms to determine the sun’s exact calculated position with exceptional accuracy. This approach allows solar arrays to maintain optimal positioning even during partially cloudy conditions when sensor-based systems frequently falter.

Weather Intelligence Without Constant Connectivity

Perhaps the most innovative aspect of SunFlwr is its approach to weather intelligence. The system maintains a sophisticated local weather model that’s periodically updated through agentic calls to the tomorrow.io API when connectivity is available. These updates train the local model, which can then operate independently to predict weather patterns for a variety of use cases - from solar panel “parking” to signaling automated systems in a variety of applications.

This hybrid approach means SunFlwr can anticipate weather changes—from passing clouds to approaching storms—without requiring continuous connectivity to the server backplane. The system intelligently manages its own state, preserving bandwidth for essential operations while maintaining an accurate assessment of developing weather conditions at its location without having to constantly “phone home”.

For solar farms in remote locations or agricultural operations in areas with limited connectivity, this capability transforms how environmental monitoring functions. The system can preemptively adjust solar panel positioning, trigger protective measures, or alert operators to impending conditions that might affect operations—all without relying on a constant network connection.

Securing the Environmental Data Chain

Industrial systems face growing security challenges, with environmental control systems increasingly targeted by sophisticated attacks. SunFlwr addresses this vulnerability through integration with the SpeakEZ secure backplane. All data transmitted from SunFlwr devices—whether to central monitoring systems or between units in a solar array—is protected by the same cryptographic architecture developed for our mission-critical communication platforms. This integration ensures that critical infrastructure components remain protected against advanced persistent threats.

The implementation uses a lightweight client that maintains full compatibility with the SpeakEZ protocol while operating within the resource constraints of embedded systems. This approach brings military-grade security to industrial applications without compromising the performance or reliability requirements of these critical systems.

From Prototype to Production

The final SunFlwr design will be housed in a rugged, environmentally sealed enclosure designed for extended outdoor deployment in harsh conditions. The system includes:

• STM32F7 microcontroller providing the computational foundation
• Integrated battery backup with solar charging capabilities
• Multiple communication interfaces (Ethernet, cellular, and LoRa options)
• Optional sensor array including temperature, humidity, and particulate monitoring
• Ruggedized connections for controlling motorized solar tracking systems

Early field tests have demonstrated exceptional reliability, with systems maintaining accurate tracking through multiple weather events and communication disruptions.

Applications Beyond Solar

While SunFlwr was initially conceived for solar tracking applications, the platform’s capabilities have proven valuable across multiple sectors:

• Agriculture: Predicting local microclimates to optimize irrigation and protect sensitive crops
• Environmental monitoring: Tracking conditions in remote locations with limited connectivity
• Disaster preparedness: Maintaining environmental intelligence even when communication infrastructure is compromised
• Critical infrastructure: Providing secure, independent monitoring for essential services

The system’s ability to function autonomously while maintaining secure communications with central systems creates a new paradigm for environmental intelligence in industrial applications.

Looking Forward

The SunFlwr project represents our lab’s commitment to developing practical solutions for the complex challenges at the intersection of renewable energy, environmental monitoring, and cybersecurity. As we move from prototype to production-ready systems, we’re exploring partnerships with industrial automation specialists and solar infrastructure providers to bring this technology to scale.

By rethinking how environmental intelligence works at the edge—making systems smarter, more independent, and inherently secure—SunFlwr demonstrates how embedded systems can transform industrial operations in even the most challenging environments.