What is Online Monitoring for Solar and Why is it Important?
Online monitoring for solar energy systems allows homeowners and businesses to track the performance of their solar panels in real time. Using an app or web portal, you can view important data such as how much energy your system is producing, any errors or issues that arise, and system efficiency over time. This is made possible by a device, typically an Energy Communication Unit (ECU), that connects your solar inverter to the internet and sends production data to your online account.
Why is Online Monitoring Important?
- Track System Performance: Online monitoring provides real-time insights into your solar energy production. This data allows you to ensure your system is performing at optimal levels, helping you understand daily and seasonal variations in energy output.
- Identify Issues Early: One of the most important benefits of online monitoring is the ability to detect issues early. If there is a drop in production or a system error, you’ll be able to see it on the app. This allows you to address the problem before it becomes a costly or time-consuming repair.
- Maximize Your Savings: By tracking your solar production, you can adjust your energy consumption habits to make the most of your solar power, reducing the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid. Monitoring also helps you stay on top of system performance to ensure it continues to generate energy efficiently, maximizing your return on investment.
- Understand Energy Usage: While solar monitoring apps typically display only the energy your system produces, they can help you better understand the patterns of your household's energy consumption. You can compare the app’s data with your utility bills to get a complete picture of how much energy you're consuming and how much you're exporting to the grid.
How to Use Your Solar Monitoring System
Once your solar system is installed, your installer will connect your ECU or similar device to your home’s internet. This allows you to monitor production through a mobile app or online portal. If at any point the app stops showing data, don’t worry—your system is still producing electricity. Simply check that the ECU or Internet Communication Device is plugged into power and connected to the Internet, and reboot it if necessary. When we see loss of data on a monitor platform 95% of the time it is an internet issue.
This video can help with resetting your ECU if you've changed internet providers.
Final Thoughts
Online monitoring offers peace of mind and a proactive way to ensure your solar system is functioning properly. It empowers you with the information you need to get the most out of your investment while helping you reduce energy costs and support a more sustainable future.
