Monitoring solar panels

How do I monitor my solar panel usage?

To monitor your solar panel usage, you need a solar monitoring system. These systems provide detailed analysis of energy consumption and production, real-time monitoring, and system issue alerts.

What is a solar monitoring system?

Solar monitoring systems provide a real-time snapshot of solar energy production data from your home solar system. A good monitoring system can tell you when one or more panels (aka “modules”) isn’t producing as much energy as others, or whether there’s some sort of electrical fault causing you to miss out on precious kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Do solar energy systems need a monitoring system?

Solar energy systems usually come with a monitoring system, but most of those are very basic and don’t provide much information. Adding a separate, stand-alone monitoring system is often a better way to track things in more detail, like seeing how much power your appliances use.

How do I get a solar energy monitoring system?

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.

Do solar systems have real-time monitoring?

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.

What are the best solar monitoring systems?

Here are some of the top solar monitoring systems available. Sense offers one of the most popular solar monitoring systems. It’s connected to your power panel by a certified electrician. The installation process should only take about 30 minutes.