# Powering Generic Node, a LoRaWAN® device packed with sensors, using solar energy with Qoitech

> Generic Node Sensor Edition is a long-range, low-power wireless LoRaWAN® development board packed with sensors to be able to support multiple use cases. Its ori

- Type: Global update from The Things Network
- Author: TheThings Network
- Published: 2022-03-01
- Updated: 2026-10-06
- Web page: https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/article/powering-generic-node-a-lorawan-device-packed-with-sensors-using-solar-energy-with-qoitech

[Generic Node Sensor Edition](https://www.genericnode.com/) is a long-range, low-power wireless LoRaWAN® development board packed with sensors to be able to support multiple use cases. Its original design suggests powering Generic Node with two AA batteries in a built-in battery compartment. Such batteries allow Generic Node Sensor Edition to operate without fault for a period of 2+ years. However, some power-hungry use cases require the device to consume more power.

**For example:**

- if it transmits frequent uplink messages (e.g. bioacoustics monitoring in the rainforests and oceans),
- if it continually opens receive windows for downlink messages (e.g. water and gas cut-off valves)
- and if it requires more external sensors, which is possible with customizable hardware.

For at-home and industrial purposes, this is easy to implement using a battery charger (only for rechargeable batteries). However, if your Generic Node needs to be kept in a place with no access to electricity, other renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, can be used for energy harvesting.

**Things to consider when designing a solar-powered Generic Node:**

- Estimated power consumption as per use case.
- Estimated available solar energy at the device location: apart from direct and indirect sunlight, some solar panels can use artificial indoor light sources such as LED, fluorescent, incandescent, and halogen to generate electricity.
- Solar panel power rating in Watts, Open Circuit Voltage (OCV), and the current-voltage (I-V) curve.
- Battery storage chemistry, capacity, charge cycles, safety, and price.
- Voltage rating of the solar charger (linear or MPPT) and the output voltage of the regulator.

![](https://mcusercontent.com/20406705fec6d7d4b2ab1d6cc/images/a82a8a1d-4b8b-8611-24ae-1d6d5b0c6424.jpg)

A well-designed solar energy charging solution with a regulated output (2.2V - 5.5V) can be used to safely power Generic Node. For example, you can build a simple charger using a [solar panel](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/16356) and a [solar harvesting circuit](https://www.tindie.com/products/jaspersikken/solar-harvesting-into-li-ion-battery/) (needed to efficiently harvest solar panel energy and store the energy into a lithium battery or lithium-ion capacitor). As energy storage, Lithium-ion capacitors are somewhat more expensive than lithium batteries. They provide more charge cycles (about 50,000) and a wide range of operating temperatures than standard lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries. In most cases, lithium-ion capacitors are a great choice over lithium batteries.

Watch the video by Björn Rosqvist from [Qoitech](https://www.qoitech.com/) on Energy harvesting and batteries for Generic Node to learn more about powering Generic Node Sensor Edition using solar power with a proof of concept:

[YouTube video](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/x1QIfS9wFOs)

Build your next LoRaWAN use case using Generic Node. [Get Generic Node](https://www.thethingsshop.com/)

_LoRaWAN® is a mark used under license from the LoRa Alliance®._