When you install solar panels or an energy storage system, there’s an internet-connected or cellular-backed device that communicates with the solar or battery components. This information can be seen on your phone or browser. Some older systems didn’t come standard with monitoring, so you may not have this critical feature.
What monitoring tells you:
If your battery or solar inverter is the heart of your system, then solar monitoring is the heartbeat. The data relay tells you critical information like how much electricity you’ve produced in different time segments and, more importantly, if your system is working correctly. In an ideal world, it will alert you if there are faults.
How to use your monitoring: Your solar monitoring system is so easy to use most people forget about it. But that’s like forgetting to check your fuel gauge on a long trip. The best way to use your monitoring system is automated. Either you or your installer has entered into the settings and situated an automated response in the event of a fault.
The other way to use your monitoring is by comparing annual production. This measures the degradation of your system- from the expected losses on paper to the actualized losses. While this is a long-term play, it matters because some people are sold on ‘fancy high-efficiency panels’ with low degradation rates, and this is how you check those numbers to initiate recourse if needed.
What happens when monitoring works?
You are automatically notified of an issue when monitoring works the intended way. You will get an automated email when your panel system has a problem.
Who monitors your solar panel system?
You do. As a solar homeowner, you should be aware of your system’s monitoring. While many companies offer production guarantees or even monitoring of your system, they can put you in a significant bind and leave you owing thousands of dollars if the party you’re relying on drops the ball, which is not unheard of.
What can go wrong with your monitoring?
A fault can be a communication error that inhibits the flow of data. Another fault can be a panel or an inverter having an issue that deters the electricity output of said panel or inverter. But the worst fault would be that the entire system goes offline.
An offline system is the most critical fault because if it goes unnoticed while using more electricity than Dr. Emmet Brown, you may realize that you now owe the utility thousands of dollars for electricity.
You can prevent issues first by automating fault notifications. If your monitoring is Wi-fi based, you want to ensure the connectivity between your router and monitoring components stays active. If your monitoring is cellular-based, you’ll want to confirm that the subscription is up to date. Most cellular-based monitoring has a subscription period that must be renewed at your expense to maintain connectivity. This does imply that cellular-based monitoring expires.
What if you have solar monitoring issues?
If your monitoring is wi-fi based, most of the time, it is as easy as restarting your monitoring component. Unplug it and then plug it back in. If it is cellular based, you may be able to restart it when the module is easily accessible. But if not, you’ll want to call the installer. If your installer is out of business, you’ll want to contact the manufacturer of the inverter to seek help.
What if you don’t have solar monitoring?
While this is less common than before, older systems still don’t come with monitoring. You may still be able to retrofit monitoring by installing an energy monitoring system like Emporia or Sense. The utility is your last hope if you don’t have monitoring capabilities and can’t install an energy monitoring system.
Most utilities turn monthly electric bills into annual electric bills once solar is installed in a home. Even without monitoring, the utility will keep track of your electricity usage. Since your solar panels would offset some of your usages, you should record only minimal electricity use with the utility.
Keep an eye on your monthly statements from the utility, reflecting your net usage. If you notice a significant spike in use from one month to the next and cannot attribute it to something you recall doing, there is a chance your system may be failing. You can confirm that by going to your electric meter on a sunny day and seeing if it is moving to the right, indicating that you are pulling power from the grid. Under normal circumstances, if your panels produce more energy than you are using, the meter should go backward on a sunny day, assuming you’re not running the AC or using other high-demand appliances. So make sure you’ve turned these off before going outside to look.
DroneQuote as your solar partner
We want to ensure that we’re doing everything possible to further education about renewable technology so people can get the most out of their investment. Likewise, for those looking to adopt this technology, DroneQuote is there to help guide you in making the best choice. From our knowledgeable consultants who serve you as fiduciaries to the unique method of using drones to assess quality AFTER installation, DroneQuote literally goes above and beyond for our clients and everybody else interested in this technology because service to others is the lifeblood of our company.
If you want more information on how we work or what we can do for you, please visit us at DroneQuote.net.