Systems and methods for energy harvesting and use in support of monitored processes and devices

A system for harvesting energy and supported off-grid electronic components, comprising:

• a power management system including a solar cell integrated with a display panel into a common housing;
• and
• a capacitor and a rechargeable battery connected to the power management system to receive power from the solar cell and to provide electrical power first from the capacitor and then second from the rechargeable battery to electronic components including the display that are engaged in monitoring processes and devices deployed in isolated locations and operating off-grid, wherein the electronics include:
• a microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to provide data collected from the processes and devices for display on the display panel;
• a wireless communications module configured to provide the data via wireless transmission to a remote monitoring station, and
• a rotatable stem operated by a step-motor and connected to the display panel housing, wherein the rotatable stem is orient able by the step-motor towards sunlight according to an internal time clock synchronizing movement of the display panel via the step-motor and stem to maintain orientation of the display towards the sunlight and thereby maximize harvesting of electrical energy by the solar cell.

A method for harvesting energy in support of a monitored system, comprising:

• integrating an energy harvesting module including a solar cell with a display panel, a rechargeable battery and a capacitor with a monitored system in a common housing;
• maintaining orientation of the display panel, via electromechanical manipulation of the common housing, towards solar radiation to enable charging of the capacitor and the rechargeable battery;
• and
• utilizing electrical energy, first from the capacitor and then second from the rechargeable battery, to power electrical components associated with monitoring of the monitored system.