Tamara Jude is a seasoned content writer with more than seven years of experience in research and content production. She specializes in the solar energy, home warranty, and windows categories. Her interest in home improvement began as a child, when she regularly completed home projects alongsidR Contact online >>
Tamara Jude is a seasoned content writer with more than seven years of experience in research and content production. She specializes in the solar energy, home warranty, and windows categories. Her interest in home improvement began as a child, when she regularly completed home projects alongsid…
To maximize yoursolar panels, consider investing in a solar monitoring system. This technology tracks energy production and usage in real-time, so you won''t have to guess how well your system performs. It can also alert you to dips in output or problems with individual panels, batteries, or other system components.
Many of the best-rated solar companies offer solar monitoring systems. We researched the most popular systems on the market to understand how they work, what to look for, and the best options for homeowners. After investing in a high-performing residential solar system, you’ll want to make sure you can be aware of its health and performance using a monitoring system.
Solar monitoring systems use sensors and communication devices attached to your solar arrays. The sensors are often integrated into the inverter and track production data from each panel. They transmit information about the voltage, current, and power output to and transmit it to a communication device like a gateway. From there, the data uploads to a cloud-based software via ethernet, WiFi, or a celullar network.
In addition to real-time monitoring, many systems will proactively notify you of any solar system issues, from system faults to declining power production. These alerts help you address problems quickly, reducing system downtime. Some systems even provide weather alerts for low-sunlight days or incoming storms. These features allow you to plan for emergencies and ensure you have efficient stored solar power for later use.
Three main types of solar monitoring systems are available from solar equipment manufacturers, professional installers, and third-party monitoring companies. We''ll explore each monitoring type below.
Solar manufacturers may enhance their products with a built-in monitoring system. This equipment-integrated technology can be built into either the solar panels or the inverter, which converts the DC output from your panels into AC power for your home. Solar inverter monitoring systems are the more common of the two. They typically offer easy-to-read results on a website or mobile app.
Inverter-based monitoring systems typically track energy production, basic home energy use, and system performance data. Most companies use either string inverters (connected to multiple panels) or microinverters (installed on individual panels). A microinverter monitoring system offers module-level monitoring, allowing you to see individual panel performance.
Many inverter manufacturers include monitoring software with their equipment. Though this software is tied to a specific inverter brand, it will typically work with many solar panel brands. However, module-level monitoring or more advanced features may come at an additional cost.
Some solar installers offer monitoring apps alongside their energy systems. These apps often customize and enhance the data provided by your inverter’s built-in monitoring. Installer-run apps offer clear insights into daily production, upcoming electric bills, and easy online payment options. However, their detail may not be as granular or insightful as module-level systems.
Some installer-based software directly connects to customer support for troubleshooting and maintenance scheduling. They may also provide local weather alerts to help you prepare for low-sun days or dangerous conditions. You can usually access this data via a dedicated website or downloadable app for your phone.
Third-party or standalone energy monitoring systems come from companies that don''t manufacture solar equipment or offer installation services. These systems focus on your entire home’s energy picture, not just solar. They use your electrical panel’s current transfer (CT) sensors to track energy flow. Some can even monitor individual major appliances or integrate with smart home devices for deeper insight into where your energy goes.
Beyond displaying your current energy use, these monitors typically provide cost analysis, historical trends, customizable goals, and alerts for unusual energy spikes. Some even estimate greenhouse gas emissions. They work alongside your existing solar monitoring, and many offer solar-specific features. However, the level of integrated data may vary between brands.
If you go this route, we recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure safety and proper installation. However, some systems are designed to be DIY-friendly. Always consult product instructions carefully.
Enphase, a leading microinverter manufacturer, provides the Enphase Enlighten monitoring system with its products. This system provides real-time information on system performance and energy production, including modular-level monitoring with detailed analytics for each panel in your solar project also tracks energy usage patterns and offers alerts for malfunctioning panels or lower production levels.
SolarEdge offers high-quality string inverters for residential installations and provides individual panel performance monitoring with DC power optimizers. These optimizers improve panel performance and offer real-time power production data. Without power optimizers, you can only track total system production levels. SolarEdge''s data tracking includes energy usage patterns, historical performance data, and remote troubleshooting options.
Tesla provides a brand-exclusive monitoring app for its customers. The app works with Tesla solar panels, solar roofing, the Tesla Powerwall, and Tesla electric vehicles. When we downloaded the app, we could add various Tesla products for easy, all-in-one product management. The app provides data visualizations for solar power production and home energy use. You see detailed information on real-time and historical production levels, even based on the time of day.
Tesla only offers solar monitoring through the dedicated app and does not provide a web alternative. Additional uses include controlling your Tesla Powerwall during charging and discharging mode, including switching to battery-only power. Its monitor software also lacks module-level production data and weather updates.
The CURB monitoring system provides real-time energy usage data using CTs. Attaching CTs to every circuit allows you to receive more detailed energy use tracking. The CURB system offers individual tracking for appliances, solar energy systems, EV chargers, and smart home devices. The tracking details expand with additional CTs, but you must pay more for extra sensors.
CURB monitoring includes customizable energy usage alerts for pre-set usage thresholds, helping you converse energy usage and save money. In 2020, CURB merged with Elevation Solar and became part of its Home Energy Solutions Division. The Apple Store and Google Play carry the Energy CURB app. You can also sign up for email alerts for additional energy-saving tips and summaries on your energy usage.
The Sense energy monitor uses AI device profiles to track energy consumption throughout your home. The profiles offer detailed energy consumption results, including real-time data, energy usage alerts, and historical data analysis. The Sense energy monitor also provides energy production with specialized solar inverter sensors and tracks any excess energy sent back to the grid, known as grid exports.
Sense provides both app and web-based access to your monitoring data. For the app, use your iOS or Android device, and for the web-based dashboard, use any internet-accessible device.
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would "no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options
Whether considering an integrated monitoring system or a standalone option, you should decide what features, data, and controls you need for your home. To help you decide, we''ve compiled a list of factors to consider when comparing solar panel mentoring systems.
Solar monitoring systems ensure even the highest efficiency solar panels continue performing at optimum levels and help your home operate more efficiently. These systems typically come with your solar inverter or from your installation company. However, availability varies based on your system''s design and selected installer. Stand-alone energy monitoring can provide insight into your power production, but you may need additional sensors to connect one to your system.
No, SolarEdge does not charge for its monitoring services. You receive 25 years of free module-level monitoring, the same timeframe as the manufacturer''s warranty.
About Solar monitoring systems
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Solar monitoring systems have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Solar monitoring systems for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Solar monitoring systems featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
