As solar energy adoption continues to rise, keeping track of your solar array’s performance is essential. Monitoring platforms, apps and devices have now become commonplace to help you optimise efficiency, detect faults early, and maximise your return on investment. In this article, we explore 3 ways to monitor your solar array using industry-leading products, platforms and apps.
1. Web-based monitoring platforms
There are some great monitoring platforms available from the leading PV manufacturers, one of the most comprehensive is from SolarEdge. With the SolarEdge web-based monitoring portal you get panel level monitoring, automated alerts, and technical performance analytics that helps provide a clear view of your PV generation, consumption and export – all in real-time. You have access to historical and lifetime data, comparisons and minute by minute performance visibility. In addition you can view and monitor your financial returns by uploading your supplier tariffs and FIT or SEG payments. The bright, visual presentation of data quickly highlights a user to any alerts, enabling customers to maximise their solar self-use and minimise potential down-time. Also available via the free Mysolaredge App.
For those looking to incorporate more AI into their energy management, SolarEdge ONE is the new AI-based personal energy assistance from SolarEdge, generating you a personalised energy plan, based on your requirements, tariffs and climatological data, designed to save you more!
2. Solar Monitoring Apps
Most major players in the market have also introduced solar PV apps, giving customers both visibility and control of their residential PV array at their fingertips. As well as the robust option from the MySolarEdge app, another key quality manufacturer Sigenergy, offer their MySigen app – promoting a user-friendly interface, visual graphic power flow data and scheduling control templates all optimised by Sigen AI. The Tesla app offers an all-in-one experience for you to view and manage your Tesla energy products from anywhere and at any time. With its simple visual aesthetic you can also enable Teslas’ Stormwatch so that your battery is primed and ready to power your home in the event of a power outage. The Tesla app is also now available for your apple watch!
3. External devices
If your PV system has grown with you over time, or comprises several products from different manufacturers, or perhaps you own and manage multiple arrays, you may be looking for an external monitoring solution. Solar-Log can offer you a robust solution. Used by homeowners and commercial system owners to secure their investment, the monitoring system from solar-log is borne from managing large PV plants across numerous sites. With a web-based portal and free mobile app available, the installation of a solar-log device monitors your system generation and provides alerts if any errors are detected across the managed arrays.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right solar system today means delving deeper than just black panels. Understanding your appetite for analytics and thirst for control should also factor into your decision-making. Investing in a system with a robust monitoring solution ensures you get the most from your solar array, leading to greater efficiency, savings, and sustainability.
By utilising leading brands like SolarEdge, Sigenergy and Tesla, you can stay informed about your system’s performance and take action when necessary.