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.

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.

What if I don't have a solar monitoring system?

Users who do not have a solar monitoring system should try monitoring their solar panels by keeping an eye on their solar inverters. If they do not have solar monitoring through a company, they likely have a string inverter that came with their solar panels. A string inverter is larger than the micro-inverters attached to individual solar panels.

What are the different methods for monitoring solar energy systems?

This section describes the various methods for monitoring solar energy systems, including the data acquisition system (DAS), string monitoring, wireless solar monitoring systems, and cloud-based monitoring solutions.

Should you invest in a solar monitoring system?

To maximize your solar 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.

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.