Reading Your Solar Monitoring: What the Numbers Mean
Your solar app is full of numbers. Here are the ones that matter.
Most inverters and batteries come with an app or web page. Knowing what to look at helps you spot problems early and use more of your own solar.
1. The main numbers
| Number | Means |
|---|---|
| Generation (PV) | What the panels made |
| Consumption (load) | What the house or shed used |
| Export | Solar sent to the grid |
| Import | Power bought from the grid |
| Battery SOC | How full the battery is |
2. A normal sunny day
Generation rises in a smooth curve from morning, peaks around midday and falls in the afternoon. Clouds make it jagged.
3. Signs of trouble
- A flat line at zero on a sunny day.
- A curve that's much lower than the same time last year.
- One string much lower than another.
- The battery never reaching full in good weather.
4. Use it to save
Look at when you use the most power. Shift jobs like the dishwasher, pool pump and hot water into the middle of the day.
5. Quick summary
- Know generation, consumption, import, export and SOC.
- Compare sunny days over time.
- Shift usage into the solar hours.
In Australia, any work on 240V AC wiring, including connecting an inverter, battery or solar system to a switchboard or fixed wiring, must be done by a licensed electrician.
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