Monitoring energy from your phone
A monitoring system shows you, in an app, what the installation is producing, what the house is using, how charged the battery is and how much you exchange with the grid. The information helps you make better use of your own energy and spot a problem early.
How the information reaches your phone
- Inverter or metermeasures output and consumption
- Wi-Fi routersends the data over the internet
- Manufacturer’s serverstores and processes the data
- The phone appshows the charts and alerts
The data starts at the inverter or at a smart meter, reaches the manufacturer’s app and can be followed from your phone. The details depend on the equipment chosen; we set them out in the quote.
What you can see in the app
- photovoltaic output, in real time and by period;
- household consumption, if there is a meter or measuring sensors;
- battery state: state of charge, charging and discharging;
- exchange with the grid: energy drawn and energy sent out;
- alerts for faults or for unusual readings;
- history by day, month and year.
Not all equipment provides all of this data. Household consumption, for example, usually requires a meter or current clamps.
From data to decisions
Monitoring does not produce energy, but it helps you use it better. If you see that output peaks at midday, you can move the water heater’s or the washing machine’s schedule into that window. If the charts show a sudden drop in output, you can check whether it is down to shade, dirt or a fault.
For analysing the data and adjusting the settings, see monitoring and optimisation.
Connectivity, access and personal data
The apps usually work over the internet, so the inverter or the meter needs a stable connection to the router. Use a password for the app account that you do not use elsewhere, and keep the software up to date. Check the privacy policy of the app’s maker, because consumption data describes the household’s habits.
Monitoring as part of a complete system
Monitoring complements photovoltaic panels, batteries and hybrid systems. It can also be useful before you invest: following your consumption shows you when and how much you use, which is exactly the data that sound sizing needs. The article on monitoring energy consumption describes the first steps.
See also
Useful articles
Frequently asked questions
Can I monitor output from my phone?
Yes, if the inverter or a monitoring device has an internet connection and an app. The data usually appears in real time or with a short delay.
Can I see the household’s consumption?
Yes, if there is a smart meter or current clamps at the consumer unit. Without them, only output can be seen.
Do I need an internet connection?
For the app, yes. The system can produce energy without the internet, but you will not see the data on your phone.
Will I get alerts?
Many apps send notifications when there is a fault. Whether they are available depends on the equipment and on the account settings.
Shall we talk about your project?
Tell us your town and roughly how much you use. We will suggest the next steps.