Considering a Solar Analytics energy monitoring option when your existing solar inverter has a free monitoring software solution seems superfluous to your requirements. Therefore, as monitoring software, what benefits does Solar Analytics offer towards monitoring your energy system? One truth we can’t avoid is that energy is digital from 2023, and the hype surrounding this particular software is real.
Contents
- Battery sizing tool.
- Increased data point monitoring.
- Greater energy saving potential.
- Best software for user experience.
- Subscription costs.
- Limited inverter compatibility.
A lot has changed since the initial release of Solar Analytics. Equally, what you can expect from this Australian energy software pioneer has changed. Let’s not waste your time. At the bottom of this post are the 8 advantages of Solar Analytics over conventional inverter included software. However, all of this may make little sense without understanding what has changed since the original version.
The original concept positioned Solar Analytics as an arbitrary platform built to operate independently with your solar energy system and power supply. Arbitrary as the software would leverage a small independent device (hardware) that would be mounted within your switchboard and connected to the internet via a 3G/4G cell connection, ensuring system monitoring without loss of WiFi interference.
Extending the independent nature of the monitoring platform, reading energy data was achieved through CT (Current Transformer) clamps connected around the cables where energy monitoring was to occur. Completing the installation, a simple hardwired power supply connection within a switchboard was required to energise the Solar Analytics device.
Users would receive independent solar energy system performance analysis based on Bureau of Meteorology data for the local region, advanced cost-saving analysis using local energy supply tariffs, independent insight identifying system errors through its proprietary algorithm and detailed energy profile insight. An overall feature-rich and user-friendly energy monitoring software that, in the simplest terms possible, kept a solar energy system honest, even without a stable internet connection. Game changing.
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Solar Analytics is a software company, and in such a scenario, it’s often better to concentrate on software-related developments than procuring hardware. Therefore what you can expect has changed slightly. Solar Analytics has secured deals with selected energy hardware manufacturers for Application Programming Interface (API) access to populate energy data through the Solar Analytics platform.
WiFi connectivity has become more stable over the last decade, so the need for a cellular connection is an avoided expense. Migrating to API data (minus the additional hardware) provides an installation and device cost-saving for users to engage with the Solar Analytics software. Conversely, users receive only the information that the hardware can report. Therefore, if the system is just solar (inverter only), the information within is purely solar production-based. Production-based monitoring powered by Solar Analytics deeper monitoring insight ensures your system performs as promised from the point of sale.
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Solar Analytics shot to popularity as an affordable advanced energy insight solution simplified for every day users. Delivering the need-to-know information on a user-friendly dashboard while reporting independently of an energy system through self-learning (AI) and other local data sources not integrated with basic solar monitoring tools. The more digestible the information, the more users could react better to invoke bill savings success.
Original Solar Analytics: In the past, the average initial cost of Solar Analytics from Perth Solar Warehouse, including installation and a residential subscription package, ranged from $790 to $1590. A breakthrough cost, considerably less than previous independent energy monitoring solutions. Although, still a significant investment for many to consider after already purchasing a solar energy system.
Many installation types are different and not always in range of a WiFi connection. The cellular capabilities of the original Solar Analytics concept was a strength in many instances. If leaning toward the original, this monitoring solution remains available using the Wattwatchers Auditor range, purchased here. Wattwatchers Auditor requires installation by a suitably qualified electrician plus Solar Analytics subscription costs.
Perth Solar Warehouse no longer provides this service.
New Solar Analytics: Purchase a Solar Analytics compatible inverter through Perth Solar Warehouse, and we will activate Solar Analytics advanced energy monitoring access at no cost. Activation facilitates an initial free subscription period with subscription options starting from $40 per year beyond the trial period—digitalising energy, so it has the potential to rescue up to $400+ in extra savings annually.
Current Solar Analytics enabled devices available from Perth Solar Warehouse:
1. Column value valid for within 30 days of the article post date. Please inquire if this period has lapsed.
Given that new Solar Analytics is only as capable as the hardware installed, the best thing you can do to see what the software can do for you is to add an energy consumption monitor while installing your Solar Analytics enabled inverter.
A termed ‘smart meter’, ‘energy monitor’ or ‘power sensor’ that works alongside your solar inverter, which monitors grid supply power flow (import and export) independent of your Supply meter. Energy monitors are most cost-effective when purchasing your solar energy system as a portion of the installation cost can be absorbed.
Inverter/ meter | Cost with solar ¹ | Retrofit cost ¹ | Download | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Goodwe Home Kit | • 1-phase: $390 ² • 3-phase: $590 ² | • 1-phase: $890 ² • 3-phase: $1090 ² | Datasheet |
 | Fronius Smart Meter | • 1-phase: $390 ² • 3-phase: $590 ² | • 1-phase: $890 ² • 3-phase: $1090 ² | Datasheet |
 | Sungrow | • 1-phase: $390 ² • 3-phase: $590 ² | • 1-phase: $890 ² • 3-phase: $1090 ² | Unavailable |
1. Column value valid for within 30 days of the article post date. Please inquire if this period has lapsed.
2. Nominated price: Supply & installation with adequate switchboard accessibility/provisions available to accommodate the additional circuitry and associated components. Additional installation costs may apply, inquire or learn more via PSW Energy (affiliate business).
- Deep monitoring insight. Gain a greater understanding of what is occurring with your energy system with actionable data.
- Increased data point analysis. More significant data consideration of local weather conditions and other variables provides improved information.
- Independent daily performance review. Patented algorithms ensure your energy supply is working as promised.
- Save more money. Through improved knowledge, understand your energy profile in a user-friendly manner that hardware manufacturers need improvement to deliver.
- Outstanding user experience. Your software is only as good as its useability. Unfortunately, inverter manufacturers have a lot of ground to make up in the software department—hardware manufacturers first, software developers second. Solar Analytics offers the most elegant and insightful monitoring platform available.
- Historical data logging. Ideal for comparing past performance, and many inverter manufacturers such as Fronius (see Fronius Solar.web Premium) have begun charging subscriptions to retain this feature beyond 3 days of logging from $33 per year.
- Battery sizing tool. Self calculating battery sizing based on historical data accumulation. Don't over invest on battery size requirements. Average battery cost; $1000 p/kWh, the precise battery sizing is crucial. This feature alone makes Solar Analytics outstanding.
- Australian made software. Australian designed and built software gets you. It's not developed elsewhere and altered for the Australian market. It encompasses your needs such as tariffs and associated data points first. That's more relevant data for better energy saving decisions.
Seeking a local installer with in depth Solar Analytics knowledge? Perth Solar Warehouse Sales Support can assist with Perth’s most extensive online range of high-grade solar options.
