A solar meter is responsible for logging your home's solar energy system generation in real-time. By referring to historic production data against current data, you can quickly spot anomalies that indicate your system isn't performing at its best.
Check the solar meter's kilowatt hours totals, which measure the energy your solar panels produce. If the total kilowatt hours go up, the panels are working. However, if the number stays the same, decreases or only slightly rises, there may be an issue. You should also be able to compare the solar meter readings to previous periods.
How do I know if my solar panel is bad?
Check the solar panels for dirt, leaves, mould, or shade issues. Check the solar inverter for any warnings or faults. Check that the isolators are all on and that the circuit breakers have not tripped off. Check the grid voltage on the inverter display or app for over-voltage issues.
Check the solar system performance data on the app and website, if available. Check the solar panels for dirt, leaves, mould, or shade issues. Check the solar inverter for any warnings or faults. Check that the isolators are all on and that the circuit breakers have not tripped off.
Why isn't my solar meter working?
The solar panels are functioning properly, but the meter is unable to read solar energy production correctly. One reason for this issue is that solar meters can become obsolete over time. They are manufactured using the latest cellular technology, but telecom carriers often phase out support for older protocols as newer ones emerge.
Contact your solar panel installer or a solar panel maintenance professional. If your generation meter is replaced, make sure you get a letter from the installer stating what they have done and that they changed the meter because it was faulty. The paperwork should also state the model and serial numbers of the old and new meters.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to detect an earth leakage without specialised equipment, and often, even a trained solar professional can have trouble diagnosing an earth fault. Check the solar system performance data on the app and website, if available. Check the solar panels for dirt, leaves, mould, or shade issues.