How can the yield of solar panels be monitored?
Monitoring the yield and operation of solar panels is important to ensure the system runs efficiently and to catch any faults early. Below are the most common ways to monitor solar panel output and condition, and their benefits.
1. Inverter display
Most solar power systems have an inverter that converts the direct current (DC) produced by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) that can be used in households. Many inverters have a display that shows real-time information about the energy produced by the system, such as instantaneous power, daily production and total energy production. Some inverters can also detect and report faults, and their settings can often be changed remotely.
2. Remote and online monitoring systems
Many modern solar power systems offer the possibility to monitor the yield via the network. This is usually done with the help of a data logger connected to the inverter, which sends the data to a cloud service. The user can then view this information on a computer or mobile device. Examples of such services include SolarWeb and Enphase Enlighten.
Remote monitoring systems can include features such as:
- Energy production tracking on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
- Fault notifications when the system detects a deviation from normal operation.
- Analytics that help assess panel performance and optimize output.
3. Smartphone applications
Many solar power system manufacturers also offer smartphone apps that allow users to monitor the system's yield in real time. Applications often provide visual representations such as graphs and charts that make it easier to track production. Examples of such applications are Fronius Solar.web and Enphase Enlighten.
4. Energy monitoring devices
There are also separate energy monitoring devices that can be connected to a solar power system. These devices measure the amount of energy produced and can provide more accurate information than the inverter's own display. Examples of such devices are Smappee and Solar-Log.
5. Drones and thermal cameras
In larger installations, the condition of the panels can also be inspected with drones and thermal cameras. These can reveal problems that production data alone may not show, such as dead cells that no longer produce energy, local overheating, and cracks or other physical damage.
6. Regular inspections and maintenance
Alongside automatic monitoring, panels should also get regular visual inspections and maintenance: checking the panels and their mounts for physical damage, cleaning off dust and leaves, and checking electrical connections. This helps keep the system efficient even when the monitoring data does not yet show a problem.
7. Manual tracking
Although automatic monitoring systems are convenient, it is also possible to monitor the yield of solar panels manually by writing down the information from the inverter screen at regular intervals. This can be useful especially in smaller systems where an automatic monitoring system is not economically viable.
Summary
Solar panel yield and operation can be monitored on several levels: from the inverter display and online monitoring services to smartphone apps, dedicated energy monitoring devices and, when needed, drone or thermal-camera inspections. Regular monitoring combined with visual inspections and maintenance helps catch faults early and ensures the system produces as much energy as possible throughout its lifetime.
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