Solar Analytics is a solar monitoring application that compiles and evaluates household data into convertible solar savings and other information that users can utilise to get the most out of their solar systems.
This software is developed by Australia’s largest independent solar monitoring company, Solar Analytics, combining in-depth and live monitoring with smart home capabilities.
In the last decade alone, Australia has installed 5,900 megawatts worth of solar power. In fact, it’s the number one country globally for rooftop solar per capita.
But despite that impressive rank, 50% of Australian solar systems report to be underperforming. What’s worse is that most homeowners are blissfully unaware of their system’s fault. Why is that?
It’s simple; only 1% of homeowners report having an online monitoring service installed alongside their system. That basically leaves 99% of solar owners without notification of a major defect.
Most homeowners only realise something has gone wrong once they receive their energy bill. And by that point, there’s a strong chance that their bills are as high as they were before they had solar installed.
Recently, however, the solar monitoring and management market has seen a surge of activity, as companies aim to secure the ‘last piece of the puzzle’ for residential solar.
One such company is Solar Analytics. Could its solar monitoring software finally be the solution that every solar user is looking for?
In this article, we’ll examine this application and get an overview of how it operates — including its pros and cons, functionality, expected features, and other specifications that users might wish to incorporate into their solar systems.
So, let’s get to grips with this app!
What is Solar Analytics?
Solar Analytics is an intelligent solar software that helps users discover more value in their solar panels and other rooftop solar systems. It analyses solar energy usage and converts this information into various benefits.
In particular, this software boasts the following features:
- Helps users determine and optimise their energy plans in the process of building their solar home.
- Tracks a solar system’s performance to predict what users can potentially gain from their solar panels.
- Creates energy insights on how much energy in kilowatts is generated to help people monitor their overall electricity usage so they can best utilise their solar device.
- Takes a solar household’s data into account to determine what type of battery a user should equip to accelerate yearly savings.
- Calculates probable solar savings to help users research which solar units can deliver the biggest financial savings.
How it Works
The Solar Analytics app functions by monitoring both your solar panel production and your energy usage profile. From there, the “Solar Smart Monitor,” which takes about an hour to install, is placed within your meter box. The app captures all relevant data before uploading it to the cloud.
This software utilises exclusive “patented algorithms” to analyse your data and tabulate your energy profile.
This data then combines with weather forecasts to give you a comprehensive understanding of your energy usage habits, as well as your predicted system performance.
All this information is displayed in a manner that is simple to understand. In fact, you can view this data from any laptop, tablet or device. This way, you’ll be able to see when and how you are consuming the most energy. You’ll know at any time of the day or month how well your system is actually performing.
Lastly, it determines when your solar system is performing as intended, so you can track and monitor your system output for security and maintenance.
A Detailed Monitoring Dashboard
For homeowners who are serious about solar energy savings, Solar Analytics has a bounty of information to explore via their online dashboard.
In fact, for those of you with a competitive streak, you’ll be pleased to know that the app will notify you about your energy efficiency levels compared to the nearest 100 nearest Solar Analytics users.
Beyond that, the app also gives reports on the following data:
1. Solar Performance
If you have a 6 kW solar system, then Solar Analytics will estimate—based on weather data and other factors—exactly how much power you should have produced on a day-by-day basis.
This is key for several reasons: first, you’ll be able to monitor your solar production and make adjustments to your daily energy usage habits and reduce any unnecessary expenses.
Second, if your panels become damaged, Solar Analytics will report that your system is seriously underperforming. If the issue is particularly severe, it will issue an alert so that you can notify your installer about the problem.
2. Energy Usage
Understanding how and when you use power is a major step in reducing your energy bills.
While some homeowners assume that by merely employing solar power, they can avoid monitoring and managing their usage, others try to make the most out of their solar resources.
Solar Analytics will not only provide tips as to how you can lower your quarterly bill, but it also maps out exactly when you’re using the most power.
In this manner, you can begin altering your daily routine to maximise your savings! The company even claims that you can notice the impact of weather, shading, faults, and breakages on your solar performance, in order to improve your system’s efficiency.
Why Should You Get a Consumption Meter?
A consumption meter can assist you with converting data into valuable information to maintain your system’s peak performance. Through hourly and daily reporting, the meter tracks any electricity utilised from your solar and the grid. You can use this data to discover how much power your home consumes during the day.
As the phrase goes, “whatever gets measured, gets managed.” The same is true in relation to solar power monitoring systems.
The best place to start when trying to maintain or enhance anything is by first measuring it.
With consumption meters, you’ll obtain a far clearer picture of how your system is working for you. Because you can monitor what happens to the solar electricity you generate—whether you use it yourself or export it back to your retailer—you’ll have full control over your energy usage patterns.
These meters also display consumption-only information, even at night when the sun isn’t shining.
Additionally, purchasing a consumption meter will allow you to monitor your solar savings. Your account will be credited with the amount of energy that’s sold back to the grid on your monthly power bill.
As consumption meters operate with inverters, solar providers usually sell inverters with a proprietary, integrated monitoring software configuration.
However, while some solar inverters include this feature, there are plenty of those that don’t. Fortunately, when you purchase the Software Analytics software, you don’t just receive a consumption meter— you essentially get a one-stop shop for all your solar energy data.
What Sets Solar Analytics Apart From Other Solar Monitoring Apps?
While it’s true that there are other solar monitoring apps available, Solar Analytics easily differentiates itself from the competition. With this application, users can enjoy higher savings, more system control, and by extension, feel more confident in their solar product’s performance.
- Savings potential. Solar Analytics offers actionable tips for further improvement, from picking the best energy plan to recognising how much money your solar is saving you. As a result, your solar savings potential will grow in no time.
- System control. You can use the app to examine how your solar production compares to your electricity consumption. By using this information, you can best determine how you use your energy without significantly inconveniencing your lifestyle.
- Product confidence. Solar Analytics regularly reviews your system to ensure it’s operating at peak performance, so the moment something goes amiss, the software’s unique algorithms will notify you immediately.
Such features won’t just help you save money in the future, they can also analyse complex data for you so you can focus solely on achieving the highest output from your solar system. Best of all, solar support is just a phone call away.
As a homeowner, you might be thinking, “Great, so if my solar system is faulty or underperforming, Solar Analytics will let me know about it… but then what?”
Well, as it turns out, Solar Analytics provides all its customers with free solar support access.
So if you ever encounter a problem with your system, you can consult an expert to troubleshoot over the phone and learn the next steps required to get your system back in business.
Solar Analytics Installation
Here are some points to remember when installing Solar Analytics:
- A licensed electrician is required to install the software’s Solar Smart Monitor. Ideally, it should be an expert solar installation service. You can get one from Nectr to help you out.
Even if you’re technically proficient, operating a switchboard involves a high level of risk, and only a licensed electrician should perform this task; they are most familiar with the proper model unit number for your residence, as well as the installation’s best practices.
- It’s advisable to have Solar Analytics installed by the same solar supplier who installed your solar panels.
This will guarantee that your solar system’s installation warranty is unaffected. Additionally, your installer will have all the information required to register the site with Solar Analytics for the system design.
- While any qualified electrician can install the Solar Smart Monitor, it’s always recommended to work with an accredited solar retailer for all your solar installation and maintenance needs.
They have the proper expertise required to ensure that you get the best service.
Solar Analytics Compatibility with Solar Systems
You won’t have any problem incorporating Solar Analytics into your current solar system, or any other system, for that matter. If your set up includes an equipped consumption meter, you can simply integrate and enable Solar Analytics via the inverter.
However, if this option is unavailable, you can always add the Solar Analytics Smart Monitor to any solar system.
Moreover, Solar Analytics has recently announced its plans to go beyond live monitoring.
The company has partnered with other energy management and monitoring platforms to create a “game-changing” energy management system.
Essentially, the new update will allow Solar Analytics’ platform to plug into a variety of third-party components to deliver the first ‘smart home energy ecosystem‘.
Thus far, Solar Analytics has partnered with Apricus Hot Water and Catch Power. Catch Power is a smart hot water management system that uses advanced algorithms to determine the opportune time to heat your water using affordable PV power.
“These partnerships are the next step in creating a much bigger and more valuable ecosystem of intelligent energy and cost-saving products that deliver smarter energy solutions,” said Solar Analytics’ business development director Nigel Morris.
Solar Analytics Pros and Cons
Installing Solar Analytics can deliver some incredible benefits. With this application, you can:
- Select the right energy plan for your home.
- Monitor your system’s performance.
- Obtain energy analytics that tracks your overall electricity usage.
- Evaluate the right batteries to purchase for maintenance, security, and safety.
- Receive alerts when your solar system is malfunctioning.
- Calculate your solar savings.
- Get access to 24/7 support.
- Avail of the software’s features for a budget-friendly price.
The only disadvantage in equipping Solar Analytics is the additional fees as part of installing their Smart Monitor for homes with 3G / 4G connectivity only.
Is Solar Analytics Worth it?
Based on the overall price and features, we at Nectr believe that Solar Analytics is well worth the purchase. With the array of advantages the app provides, it acts as a comprehensive source for all your needs relating to solar energy data.
Solar Analytics provides homeowners with an accurate way to measure the impact of their solar systems. The software also scopes for any potential faults, so if your system is underperforming, you can find out immediately through Solar Analytics’ live monitoring—no need to wait three months down the line for an inflated electricity bill!
Being one step ahead of the curve, Solar Analytics has also enabled third-party access to its platform.
In short, this means that there will be plenty of upgrades and add-ons in the pipeline for homeowners looking to supercharge their solar systems.
Next Steps…
Interested in solar? By clicking below, you can use our smart solar calculator to find out just how much you could save with solar, what rebate you are eligible for, and your impact on the environment.
Don’t wait until next quarter’s bloated bill, and get started today!
Click here to calculate your solar savings!
Join over 20,000 homeowners who have made the switch with Nectr or the 1000+ positive reviewers who have been more than happy with their solar install.
Otherwise, you can always contact us on 1300 133 556 or email us at sales@instylesolar.com.au.
