Are you a solar panel system installer or user and thinking about how you can monitor solar energy production and consumption?
If the answer is “yes,” then you are at the right place. In this article, we will tell you about some of the best solar panel monitoring systems in the world.
A solar monitoring system or a solar monitoring website can help you get real-time data about various aspects of your solar systems operation, including energy production, consumption, any defect on the solar panels, energy optimization, and more.
Here we have listed the top 10 solar PV monitoring systems offered by leading solar monitoring companies that can make your solar operation a hassle-free task. Here is the list.
1) Enphase IQ7
Website: https://enphase.com/en-us/products-and-services/smart-solar
Enphase is one of the leading solar PV monitoring systems providers in the market.
The company offers a complete range of solar panels along with built-in micro-inverters.
Enphase offers a web application named “MyEnlighten” that enables users to track their total and each panel’s energy production data.
Also, the application allows users to monitor their system’s health and share their data with third parties via a simple interface.
The Enphase IQ7 Series has various features, which are below:
- Built for ACM (AC Module) applications, this system is compatible to use with a smart grid.
- It goes well with the frequency ride-through, advanced grid support, and voltage requirements
- The system is suitable for 60-cell and 72-cell modules
- Enphase IQ7 provides quick installation with upgraded, lighter double-wire cabling and more than a million testing hours.
- The system is integrated with apps for Android, iOS, and web devices.
Also, Enphase offers one of the best solar monitoring mobile apps, which helps users to check their energy production, and the system’s performance at any time.
If you are looking for a top-notch solar monitoring system for your clients, Enphase IQ7 Series is just perfect.
2) SolarEdge
Website: www.solaredge.com/products/pv-monitoring
The SolarEdge monitoring platform offers comprehensive PV performance monitoring and output assurance through the feature of immediate fault detection and alerts.
The monitoring sensors and transmitters are integrated into the SolarEdge power optimizer and solar inverter, and measurement data is sent through the regular power lines.
Benefits:
- Complete visibility of the technical and financial performance through the system, including interactive charts and site layout
- Visual data of PV production, consumption of the building, and self-consumption.
- Availability of complete data at the module-level, system-level and string-level.
- Comprehensive reporting and analysis with an option to schedule automatic reports and export reports.
- Generating automatic alerts on system issues.
- Remote troubleshooting and access to real-time system data.
- Easy data access from a computer, smartphone, or tablet
- Social sharing options and public display to drive referrals and generate leads
- Free for 25 years
The layout of the monitoring platform allows users to monitor systems at the module level, and identify issues to the exact location of each module on a virtual site map.
3) CURB Monitoring System
Website: https://energycurb.com/
CURB is a home energy monitoring system that helps solar energy consumers to take control of their household energy usage.
CURB plugs directly into the breaker panel and provides users with real-time data on their energy consumption and production.
The system can recognize abnormal patterns of energy use, identify potential problems of various appliances. It can estimate the energy bill, allowing users to see the impact of their energy use on their expenses.
The CURB breaker panels can pack up to 200 amps of power, so it is better to have an electrician to do the installation work.
The Curb system also sends tips on how to save energy and money and alerts users if they are going over budget.
4) TrueCapture by NEXTracker
Website: https://www.nextracker.com/product-services/solar-storage/truecapture/
TrueCapture boosts the productivity of solar power plants from 2 to 6% by continually optimizing the tracking algorithm of each panel row according to site features and changing weather conditions.
TrueCapture has integrated features such as advanced sensors, machine-learning technologies, and weather forecasting to maximize energy output.
By using its smart data capture and predictive control software, TrueCapture enables customers to maximize the benefits, generating more revenues with higher energy output, better availability, and lower operating costs.
The proprietary smart panel sensors in the system provide real-time shading data on each tracker row. Subsequently, the data is processed by a machine-learning software to build a virtual 3D model.
Also, TrueCapture can calculate return on investment (ROI) by the minute, hour, day, month, and year.
In 2018, TrueCapture received the “PV Magazine Award” in the “Market Innovation” category.
5) simPRO IoT
Website: https://www.simpro.us/features/iot
simPRO is a leading job management software company and offers simPRO IoT software for tracking and monitoring purposes.
simPRO IoT integrates with energy data through any other IoT device or protocols from third parties or existing installations.
simPRO IoT can reduce the number of onsite inspections, achieve quicker response times to failures in the field, lower reactive maintenance through alerts before any equipment failure and identification of equipment failure before an inspection.
simPRO IoT does cloud-based data management of more than 4,800 businesses and 120,000+ users worldwide.
The solution also helps in improving service delivery, reducing costs, and delivering improved customer experiences.
6) Tigo SMART
Website: https://www.tigoenergy.com/
Tigo’s SMART module-level monitoring system tracks energy production, manages PV analytics, sends alerts, and notifies about maintenance requirements.
Tigo SMART App provides solutions related to module design, layout, configure, commission, and monitor the PV system in five minutes from a mobile device.
This app enables users to interface directly with Tigo’s Cloud Connect Advanced (CCA) software through a Wi-Fi Bluetooth Connection.
If you are a PV installer, you can fully configure Tigo systems, scan barcodes from a mobile device, and troubleshoot system issues on-site.
Also, Tigo’s SMART website can provide a module-level online monitoring system to manage utility for residential and commercial PV systems.
In order to provide additional security, Tigo’s SMART website can remotely power-off each module and eliminate high voltage for maintenance or safety.
7) Smappee Solar
Website: https://www.smappee.com/us/homepage
Smappee app provides users with the control to set their energy priorities and increase efficiency, rather than just monitoring and reactively turning off certain electronic appliances.
Smappee’s differentiated functionality allows you to redirect energy from one appliance to another based on your priority.
Users can also get accurate, real-time data regarding energy consumption. The user-friendly Smappee app and Smappee Dashboard provides a clear and detailed overview of energy flows.
The energy data shows visual information that provides a clear breakdown by day, week, month, or year.
Another interesting feature of Smappee app is that it can work as an “energy traffic controller.”
The app makes sure that you do not overload your electrical panel and trip a circuit breaker while using appliances.
8) Solar-Log WEB Enerest
Website: www.solar-log-america.com
Solar-Log WEB Enerest is capable of monitoring an entire fleet of residential and commercial solar modules on one online platform.
The system provides accurate plant data and reliable reporting to meet the needs of installers, solar plant owners, and portal operators.
The Solar-Log WEB Enerest helps to serve plant owners according to their needs and wishes. Accurate classification of M, L, and XL within the function classes and plant sizes provides custom solutions at a balanced price-performance ratio.
By using the Solar-Log WEB Enerest, the basic functions of PV plant monitoring can be done free of cost for plants up to 30 kW.
The system is easy to operate, and plant owners can monitor their PV plants themselves. They evaluate errors independently, and there is an option to display, analyze, and compare output over a period of weeks, months, or years.
9) Sense Energy Monitor
Website: https://sense.com/
Sense is another leading solar monitoring system. It can be connected to a power panel by a certified electrician, and the installation process takes only around 30 minutes.
After connecting the monitor and it is on W-Fi, Sense collects data on the residential or commercial system’s solar production and compares it to the energy usage. It also identifies various appliances and their patterns of consumption.
Using this solar monitor, you can easily measure solar production and power consumption in terms of money. It means it allows users to know exactly how much each device is costing and its impact on the energy bill.
The system offers real-time monitoring through Android, iOS, and web applications. The system is easy to install and can help monitor your solar panel in 30 minutes or less.
Also, Sense is compliant with the safety requirements, and it is suitable for households and businesses in the US and Canada.
10) TED Pro Home Solar Package
Website: www.theenergydetective.com/
TED is another excellent solar monitoring system and is built to suit the monitoring needs of residential solar installation.
The system can monitor production, consumption, and provide net-usage data.
The benefits of the system include the following:
- Offers a comprehensive package that is ideal for solar and wind.
- Get all the necessary software and a free TED Commander feature.
- The system also includes Android or iOS apps
- It is suitable for households with up to two electric panels.
- The system also monitors the energy that flows to the grid.
Closing Words
A solar monitoring system can help you track your solar PV system’s performance. It provides information about energy production, consumption, optimization of energy usage, and error detection to the solar system.
Also, getting one of the listed monitoring systems can help you monitor and control environmental data such as module temperature, ambient temperature, solar radiation, and more for analysis.