Solar-Powered Internet of Things (IoT) Devices for Smart Cities

This special issue explores solar-powered IoT systems for smart cities, focusing on sustainable energy solutions, intelligent resource management, and overcoming connectivity and security challenges.

Introduction

The integration of solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT) systems into smart cities represents a transformative shift towards sustainable urban living. As urbanization accelerates globally, cities face significant challenges related to resource management, energy consumption, pollution, and infrastructure maintenance. Traditional systems, heavily reliant on non-renewable energy sources, contribute significantly to inefficiency and environmental degradation. Therefore, there is a growing need to explore sustainable and scalable energy solutions for smart cities, and solar-powered IoT systems stand at the forefront of this revolution.Solar energy, IoT sensors, and communication networks are three key technologies that, when integrated, can create self-sustaining systems capable of monitoring and managing urban resources.

These technologies are poised to address critical challenges such as optimizing energy use, reducing carbon emissions, and improving urban living conditions. In practice, solar-powered IoT systems are being implemented in areas such as smart grids, environmental monitoring, infrastructure management, and waste management. Through real-time data collection and analysis, these systems enhance the efficiency of energy consumption, increase sustainability, and contribute to a cleaner, more resilient urban environment. However, the widespread adoption of solar-powered IoT solutions in smart cities is not without its challenges. One of the primary concerns is the dependency on reliable and high-quality internet connectivity, which is crucial for the seamless operation of IoT systems. Poor or intermittent internet access can significantly hinder the effectiveness of these systems, making it essential to explore alternative solutions, such as edge computing, which allows data processing to occur locally, reducing reliance on consistent internet connectivity.

Another challenge is the high cost of installation and maintenance, which can be prohibitive, particularly in underserved or resource-limited areas. To overcome these barriers, it is essential to develop cost-effective and modular IoT solutions that can be scaled and customized to meet the needs of different urban contexts. Security is also a significant concern, as IoT devices and networks are vulnerable to cyberattacks. While AES encryption offers a level of security, the increasing sophistication of cyber threats necessitates regular system updates and the implementation of robust security measures to protect sensitive data. Additionally, as the demand for smart city infrastructure grows, there is a pressing need to ensure that underserved areas are not left behind. Expanding internet connectivity and deploying solar-powered IoT solutions in these regions can help bridge the digital divide and promote more inclusive urban development.

This special issue aims to explore the potential of solar-powered IoT systems in smart cities, focusing on their role in enhancing energy efficiency, sustainability, and urban resilience. It delves into innovative solutions such as intelligent battery management systems, wireless sensor networks for real-time environmental monitoring, dynamic power management for smart water distribution, and AI-assisted optimization techniques. By addressing the technical, economic, and security challenges associated with solar-powered IoT systems, this issue seeks to advance the development of next-generation smart cities that are not only smarter but also more sustainable and inclusive. Through this exploration, we hope to highlight the critical role of solar energy and IoT technologies in shaping the cities of tomorrow, making them more resilient, green, and efficient.

List of topic areas

• Intelligent Battery Management Systems (BMS) for Enhancing Solar-Powered IoT Device Performance in Smart Cities
• Solar-Powered Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) for Real-Time Environmental Monitoring in Smart Cities
• Internet of Things (IoT) Based Dynamic Power Management for Smart Water Distribution Systems
• Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) for Energy-Efficient Infrastructure Monitoring in Smart Cities
• Optimizing Solar-Powered Battery Management Systems for Smart Waste Management Applications
• Battery Management Systems for Internet of Things (IoT) Devices in Smart Healthcare Monitoring
• Dynamic Power Management Techniques for Sustainable IoT Deployments in Smart Cities
• AI-Assisted Dynamic Power Optimization for Solar-Powered IoT Systems in Smart Agriculture
• Internet of Things with 5G Connectivity for Real-Time Autonomous Traffic Management in Smart Cities
• Blockchain-Enabled Dynamic Power Management for Sustainable Solar-Powered Smart City Infrastructure
• Dynamic Power Management for Solar-Powered IoT Devices in Urban Traffic Control Systems
• Edge-Enhanced Solar IoT Systems for Next-Generation Urban Services

Submissions Information

Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ijpcc

Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/ijpcc

Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”. Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else while under review for this journal.

Key deadlines

Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 17/08/2025
Closing date for abstract submission: 08/11/2025 
Email for submissions: [email protected]
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 10/06/2026