Upgrade ten year old system

[Renegadecrab]

Hi there

we have bought a house with solar panels, it was 9/10 years ago they were installed and I would like to be able to monitor via an app.

Is it possible to add something to enable this?

Thanks

Lee

[Will792]

Solar panels produce DC electricity which has to be converted into AC by either central inverter or microinverters. Each of these device determine a method how to monitor the system. Once you give us a brand we can try to find this information.

[azdave]

If it is a 9-10 year old system, it likely is a simple string(s) setup through a single grid-tie inverter. I have such a system and all I need to monitor everything is the display panel I walk past multiple times a day and the daily report my local utility provides. Between those two items, I have all I need to understand my collection, usage and net energy totals. The inverter shows the output of my two identical strings of 13 panels so unless I see more than a dozen watts difference in those strings, I know everything is fine. Don't spend money if you already have the tools to monitor the stuff that counts.

So what can you tell us about your system?

[DanS26]

Lee,

There are many systems that will monitor your system. I use the TED (The Energy Detective) system. It uses CT (current transformers) and PLC (power line communications) to monitor the electrical generation and usage in my house.

It communicates with my desktop, laptop and phone with a very nice interface.

There are less expensive systems that do similar monitoring but I have used TED for over 15 years and it has been bullet proof.