Last Updated on September, 2024
As more people in the UK turn to solar energy, keeping track of how well solar panels work has become very important. Solar panel monitoring apps help with this by giving users real-time information about their solar energy generation.
These platforms are useful for both homeowners and businesses, helping them maximise their energy, spot problems early, and save money.
In this article, we’ll break down solar monitoring apps in the UK market, what they do, why they are beneficial, and which ones are the best.
Whether you’re experienced with solar energy or just starting, knowing how these platforms work can help you get the most out of your solar panels.
Quick Summary
- Some popular solar monitoring apps in the UK include Solar Edge, Growatt, Fronius Solar.Web App, SMA Sunny Portal, Lux Power View, Enphase Enlighten App, and PureDrive Energy App.
- Solar panel monitoring apps provide real-time information about solar energy generation for both homeowners and businesses.
- The benefits of solar panel monitoring apps for both homeowners and businesses, including maximising energy, identifying problems early, and saving money.
Solar Panel (PV Monitoring Apps)
1. Solar Edge
Overview:
- Produced by SolarEdge.
- Google Play rating: 4.3 out of 5.
- Over a million downloads.
- Enhanced PV system performance monitoring.
- Fault detection at module, system, and string levels.
Functionality:
- No additional wiring or hardware is needed for data transmission.
- Transmitters and sensors connect to the power optimiser and solar inverter.
- Data is transmitted via standard power supply lines.
- Available on tablets and computers with internet connectivity.
- Option for automatic report generation.
Key Features:
- Current system energy measurement: Monitor current energy output.
- Energy monitoring: Data available by day, month, and lifetime.
- Power graph display: Daily, weekly, and yearly solar generation graphs.
- Site list and image: Detailed layout and performance of each panel.
- Weather data: Current conditions and forecasts impacting energy production and storage.
- Customised user preferences: User-configurable settings.
- Dashboard information:
- Current power levels.
- Daily, monthly, and lifetime energy production.
- Graphical representation of power and energy output.
- Solar array layout and panel performance.
- Supports multiple languages.
| Pros | Cons |
| Automated alerts for system issues. | Cannot control charging behaviour. |
| Full visibility into solar performance. | Does not record home energy usage. |
| It helps detect excessive power usage. |
2. Growatt
App Overview:
- Average app store rating: 2.5 out of 5.
- Great for measuring power generated by your systems.
- Provides information on battery capacity.
- Enables remote checking of battery status.
- Real-time monitoring of all input and output ports.
- Allows setting customised charging/discharging strategies.
- Supports remote control and advanced settings for better battery protection and customer experience.
Features:
- Informative graphs and data on system performance when connected to a WiFi network.
- Remote PV monitoring capabilities.
- Customisable settings for charging and discharging strategies.
| Pros | Cons |
| Remote checking of battery status. | Low app store ratings (average 2.5 out of 5). |
| Live monitoring of input/output ports. | Frequent WiFi disconnection issues post-update. |
| Customisable charging/discharging strategies. | Limited information on home energy use monitoring. |
| Provides detailed graphs and data on system performance. |
3. Fronius Solar.Web App
Overview
- A versatile tool for monitoring a PV system.
- Available as both web and mobile apps.
- Typically scores low on app stores (around 2.5).
Key Features
- Contains a demo system allowing exploration of the monitoring platform’s capabilities.
- The energy yield snapshot feature provides snapshots over various timeframes.
- Includes dark mode for comfortable viewing.
- Displays remote monitoring data like current value and energy curve.
- It can monitor historical energy usage data.
- Easy to navigate and use.
- Generates yield reports for specified timeframes.
- Shows the current state of battery charge.
| Pros | Cons |
| Compatible on smartphones, iPads, iPhones, tablets, and smartwatches (including Apple watches). | When viewing graphs, you might experience glitches. |
| It displays sustainability metrics, including the volume of carbon dioxide, trees planted, and money saved. | Low app store ratings, possibly due to usability or WiFi issues. |
| Ability to generate detailed yield reports. |
4. SMA Sunny Portal
Overview:
- Comprehensive app for monitoring solar energy systems.
- It offers a wide range of options discussed below.
Key Features:
- Data analysis: Provides detailed data analysis options for system owners.
- Provides yield visualisation through diagram and data table formats.
- Allows for precise calculation and comparison of inverter energy yields to detect deviations.
- Powerful reporting functions with quick updates via email.
- Provides a seamless user experience with an easy-to-use interface prioritising functionality and data accessibility.
| Pros | Cons |
| Desktop and app access for flexibility. | Cannot compare current data with previous data directly. |
| Reports are easy to interpret. | |
| User-friendly design enhances the overall experience. |
5. Lux Power View
Overview
Lux Power View is a famous monitoring platform designed to monitor solar and energy storage systems, providing live data and event monitoring. It aims to offer comprehensive information to users about their solar plants, accessible anytime and anywhere.
Key Features
- It provides live PV monitoring and displays essential information such as usage, generation, and grid interactions on a single page in realtime.
- Offers customisation functions that can be adjusted according to customer requirements and local regulations.
- Allows users to drill down into detailed system performance data, consolidating all information into a unified platform.
- It contains an event monitoring system to track system status, running data, and events to keep users informed about system operations.
- Continuous updates and improvements suggest ongoing development to make user experience better and address issues.
| Pros | Cons |
| Provides a cohesive view of critical system metrics on one screen. | Occasional WiFi connectivity issues occur but can be resolved by logging out and back in. |
| Allows settings to be adjusted based on user preference and regulatory requirements. | General app connectivity issues are also common. |
| Enables detailed PV monitoring and analysis of system performance. |
6. Enphase Enlighten App
Overview
- A comprehensive tool designed for monitoring solar energy systems.
- Offers detailed insights into the system’s health, performance, and energy production and storage data.
Key Features:
- Provides instant access to real-time system status without requiring scrolling, ensuring quick updates on system health.
- Allows individual monitoring of each panel for fault detection and performance analysis, enhancing system reliability.
- Offers one-click access to energy production data, including per-panel production details.
- It provides an overview and tracks self-consumption or storage of energy, aiding in informed energy use decisions.
- Primarily web-based with a recently launched mobile application for on-the-go monitoring.
| Pros | Cons |
| Enables detailed verification of system health and performance. | The app may not consistently provide live data updates. |
| Facilitates individual panel insights like fault detection and monitoring of panel-level performance. |
7. PureDrive Energy App
Overview:
This is a monitoring system tailored to monitor connected home and battery systems.
It’s focused on providing insights into self-consumption and system performance.
Key Features
- Allows users live monitoring capabilities to view the status of connected homes and batteries, including solar generation, battery usage, and grid energy efficiency.
- It provides historical energy savings and usage data for daily, weekly, and monthly periods to help understand household consumption trends over time.
- Well-designed interface praised for ease of use and data readability.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly design with well-designed front-end enhances usability. | Limited management tools for solar system control. |
| Comprehensive data on household consumption and energy flows. | It has a critical bug where sometimes power from both angles and battery charge is sent to the grid unexpectedly, creating a major issue for users. |
| Helps users understand environmental impacts and benefits. |
What is a Solar Panel (PV) Monitoring App?
A solar monitoring platform allows you to keep track of your photovoltaic (PV) system’s performance. This application provides details on both energy consumption and generation, helping to optimise energy usage and identify any issues affecting your solar power.
Regular monitoring and maintenance are crucial for your solar panels and their associated systems to operate at peak efficiency.
For example, if you connect 10 different appliances to your solar panels at home, a solar monitoring app can help you identify which appliances are consuming the most or least energy.
With a solar monitoring app, you can effectively monitor energy consumption. You can use this information to turn off unnecessary appliances for energy savings. Solar monitoring apps are compatible across multiple devices like phones, tablets or computers.
Inverters and batteries have advanced technology built in that allows them to communicate with each other, your WiFi, and your energy provider. All this information is then processed and broken down into a format that is easily understandable to users and displayed on the app.
The solar monitoring app provides data on the energy your panels are generating, battery charge levels, and the amount of energy you are importing or exporting.
Useful guides:
How Does a Solar Monitoring App Work?
A solar monitoring platform functions by collecting and processing data from the solar inverter connected to your solar panel. Many manufacturers offer solar inverters equipped with proprietary, built-in monitoring software to streamline this process.
Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
Conversion and Data Collection
The solar inverter converts direct current (DC) generated by your solar panels into alternating current (AC) for household use. During this process, the solar inverter collects data on power levels and energy storage.
Data Transmission
The collected data is then transmitted to cloud-based power monitoring systems. This data is accessible through companion applications that provide real-time information on your energy usage and production.
Accessibility for Homeowners:
Homeowners can control this information via mobile applications or smart devices linked to the system. Monitoring systems are also designed to provide on-site monitoring by wiring information directly from the inverter to a power monitoring device within the home.
Cellular Capabilities:
Many solar monitoring apps can pair with solar systems that have cellular capabilities. This allows for quick access to cloud-stored data without needing a WiFi connection.
Offline Access:
You can still control solar monitoring platform data even if your internet connection is down. Systems equipped with unique power optimisers can send data without relying on wireless connections, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring during internet outages.
Additional Features
Real-time Alerts
Solar monitoring apps can send real-time alerts to notify homeowners of any issues or irregularities in the system, such as a drop in solar generation or a malfunctioning panel.
Historical Data Analysis
Users can view historical data to analyse trends in energy consumption over time, helping to identify patterns and optimise energy usage.
Performance Optimisation
By providing detailed insights into the performance of individual panels and the overall system, these platforms help owners and businesses ensure their solar installations are operating at peak efficiency.
Savings
By identifying which appliances are using the most energy, users can make decisions to reduce consumption and save on electricity costs.
What are the Benefits of Using Solar Panel Monitoring?
Monitoring your solar panels offer numerous advantages:
- Real-time data access: Gain remote access to current data on your energy generation, consumption, and exported energy.
- Optimised battery charging: Utilise off-peak tariffs by scheduling your batteries to change during specific times.
- Performance analysis: review and compare historical performance data, generating detailed reports for analysis.
- Fault detection: Detects faults and issues promptly by monitoring sudden drops in performance.
- Energy optimisation: Empower homeowners to manage their energy usage based on live insights.
- Quick notifications: Receive email alerts for immediate updates on system status and potential faults, ensuring proactive maintenance.
Issues With PV Monitoring Apps
Common issues associated with PV (Photovoltaic) monitoring apps include:
- Connectivity problems: Customers may experience intermittent connectivity issues with the solar power, leading to inconsistent data updates.
- Data accuracy: Some platforms may display inaccurate or delayed data, affecting the reliability of performance monitoring.
- User interface complexity: Complex user interfaces can make it difficult for users to navigate and interpret data effectively.
- Compatibility issues: Compatibility issues may arise between the app and different types of brands of solar inverters or monitoring systems.
- Limited functionality: Some platforms may lack advanced features for in-depth analysis or historical data comparison, limiting their utility for customers.
- Bug fixes and updates: Delayed bug fixes and updates may lead to unresolved issues or new compatibility challenges with updated operating systems or devices.
- Security concerns: Potential security vulnerabilities in the app could expose user data or system control to unauthorised access.
Conclusion
Solar panel monitoring apps in the UK market offer substantial benefits alongside notable challenges.
These platforms enable users to remotely control real-time data on energy generation, consumption, and system performance, empowering homeowners to manage their energy usage and monitor their environmental impact effectively.
Choosing the best app depends on individual needs for functionality, ease of use, and reliability.
