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Solar Power Monitoring System: How to Measure the Electricity Your Solar Panels Produce

Writer's picture: Tawheed Hossen ImonTawheed Hossen Imon

Updated: Dec 6, 2024

Solar power Monitoring Systems Explained

Using a Solar Monitoring App

The simplest way to verify the electricity generated by your solar panels is through the use of a solar monitoring app. They provide you with details on energy consumed, the energy your panels are generating in real-time, and what's being exported back to the grid.

Key Features of Solar power Monitoring Systems:

  • Viewing Live Data: Watch your system statistics in real time.

  • Historical: Observe data over days, weeks or months to determine trends for your system performance.

  • Peace of Mind: Mobile apps allow you to track the performance of your solar panels from practically anywhere.


Solar power Monitoring Systems

Inverter Monitoring

An inverter is an essential piece of your solar setup since it converts the direct current electricity created by your panels into alternating current electricity that you use in your home. One of the options for more modern inverters is that you can monitor them yourself.


Details on how much electricity is produced can be available by checking the display of the inverter or connecting with the app. Others allow you to access an online portal to see very granular data on your solar power generation.

  • Length: 24/7 monitoring

  • Output Factors: Weather, shading, age of the system, efficiency of inverters.

Using a Smart Meter

Every time you 'buy' or draw electricity from the grid, your smart meter measures it; similarly, it also does so for when you 'sell' or export the same. It may be useful to answer the question of how much energy you are using as opposed to what you are making. Being able to limit your appliances from a battery system can be very handy to maximize the efficiency of the stored energy.


Key Benefits:

  • Real Time Monitoring: Monitor how much is consumed and generated, which would let you manage your power usage effectively.

  • Both On-Premise and Online Platform Mobile Apps: Newer solar panel systems can include an app (party apps included) that allows you to keep track of your system from your smartphone or tablet. These apps allow you to calculate the energy output of your panels, how much energy is being consumed in your home, and even show you how much power you have stored, if a battery system is installed.


Well-Known Monitoring Applications:

  • Givenergy Monitoring: Detailed system performance data, energy usage insights.

  • Solar Production and Trends: Over time in the Givenergy Portal, real-time data, performance notifications, and energy summary of the production.


Solar Battery Storage System Monitoring - Home Individual PV Cell Tracking

One of the great advantages of a solar battery storage system is that you can keep track of how much electricity is being stored for future usage. Most of the monitoring systems will show you how the energy flows, meaning that it flows from the solar panels into the battery and then out into your home.

Advantages:

  • Energy Control: Use your solar energy more efficiently by learning to use available stored power and when to use it.

  • Energy Back-up: Pack enough energy for emergency needs or high intake of energy time.



Why It Is Important to Monitor Your Solar Panels

Catching System Problems Sooner Rather Than Later

One of the biggest advantages to monitoring your solar system with regard to electricity generation is that it can help you catch problems early. You will always know if it is due to technical issues, shading, or inclement weather when output starts to fall.

Optimizing Energy Use

If you keep a close eye on the total electricity your solar panels are producing, then you can start to change how you consume power and turn more of your nearly free solar electricity into either usable energy or making power for someone else. For instance, it may be beneficial to operate your appliances when the sun is shining its brightest to lessen the dependence on using electricity from the grid.

Cognizance of Savings and Payback Period

This active monitoring reveals how much you save on a daily, monthly, and annual basis. This will often serve as a great driver and allow you to determine exactly when your solar panels will pay for themselves.



Solar Monitoring Solutions From Sola Renewable Company

At Sola Renewable Inc., we know how critical it is to have accurate and transparent data readily available. Which is why we provide a robust monitoring system with every solar panel installation. Our systems ensure:

  • Real-Time Data Visibility: Represents how the entire energy-producing process (generation, storage, usage) is something that you can monitor in real-time.

  • Real-Time Reporting: Monitor your solar generation on a user-friendly web or mobile platform.

  • Support: Good quality elastic search providers offer professional support to assist you with any monitoring issues, as part of the natural continuous improvement to ensure that your systems run smoothly all year round.



Factors Affecting the Output of My Solar Panels

The generation of electricity by solar panels can be dependent on:

  • Weather Conditions: On sunny days, solar panels produce significant electricity. But, they can still generate electricity on a cloudy day or with thicker cloud cover; it will just not be as much.

  • Shading and Orientation: Where you install your solar panel is very important. Their capacity is hugely affected by shade – whether from trees or nearby buildings, and they may not work at all if their output drops sharply. In the UK, the ideal orientation should be south-facing to maximize sunlight throughout the day.

  • System Efficiency: To some extent, this depends on the quality of the solar panels, inverters, and setup collectively. High-efficiency panels generate much more electricity than lower quality ones since they have the same number of cells and experience the same weather conditions.

  • Cleaning and Maintenance: Keeping your solar panels performing at their absolute best means following a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule. Sunlight can be obstructed by dust, debris, and bird droppings.



How to Monitor Solar Power Efficiently

Configure System Performance Alerts

Several monitoring apps or platforms let you know if any suspicious activity is happening. You might be experiencing a rapid reduction in energy production, or certain types of components might need attention. It facilitates immediate alerts to rectify any issues.

Monitor Your Data Regularly

Regularly inspect the performance of your solar panels. As little as just a glimpse at your data can help you to understand performance and abnormal behaviors within your system.

Month to Month Comparison of Performance

By comparing data over time, you can see how factors like seasonal changes have an influence on the solar power that your system generates. It may also show an improving system performance or a decline in your system's performance that may need maintenance.


Conclusion

Understanding how much power your solar panels are producing is key in reaping the full rewards of your solar installation. Track performance: With dependable monitoring systems, smart meters, and mobile apps to track energy usage in real-time, you can monitor your solar plant performance and ensure everything is functioning optimally.


Sola Renewable Company — We provide solar monitoring for you that is user-friendly and gets 100% accuracy. Looking to install or upgrade your solar monitoring solution? Get in touch today to learn more!



Frequently Asked Questions


How to check out the solar outside your home?This will help you provide an overview of systems that can be used to monitor the output of your panels e.g. use solar monitoring systems, inverters with built-in displays, smart meters, or dedicated mobile apps to see how much electricity is being generated by your panels (judging system performance).


Why is Solar Panel Output Inefficient?There could be a whole host of reasons that your output is lower, which could include anything from the weather to shading to inefficiencies in the system or maintenance. It can only be helpful to monitor and track what is wrong.


How frequently should I monitor solar panel performance?It is never a bad idea to keep an eye on your system performance at least once a week or more. You can also create alerts for any other suspicious behavior that may need urgent action.


I've got the readouts -- my inverter tells me live stats, do I need a monitoring solution?Inverters give basic information, whereas monitoring systems afford more detailed data like historical data, remote access, and performance comparisons. They could become an excellent inclusion to the setup.


Is there any way to see a value for how much electricity I put back in the grid?True, if you have a smart meter or a monitoring system equipped with the technology, you can be notified about how much electricity has been sent back to the grid, which will enable a better understanding of your savings.


How can I make sure that my solar panels are in good shape? Regular cleaning, shading analysis, and system checks would ensure you maintain the longevity of solar energy harvest.


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