[RE-wrenches] Internet-based monitoring

[Philip Boutelle]

Joel,
I have installed a few more eGuage units since I last posted about them.
Each time, the end-user has been totally satisfied with what they ended up
with. I haven't installed these in any commercial systems, but have them in
several massive residential jobs (400-800A services). eGauge has an internal
web server, so the hosting is free; no monthly service fee ever. Aside from
showing generation (or usage if wanted), there is not much on the
trouble-shooting side. For more info you need an inverter-direct system from
Fat Spaniel or Energy REcommerce, and even then you don't get much beyond
aggregate DC numbers and inverter error messages unless you spring for
string monitoring and/or a weather station. Or if you happen to have SMA
inverters, use their WebBox; we have several of those on commercial sites,
work great, also free hosting. If you are looking for a single portal to
host everything, you'll have to stick to third party unless you have all the
same brand inverters.
Adding monitoring to 50 sites in several states is no small project, and
won't be cheap. And since you specify internet-based, be prepared for a lot
of time troubleshooting networks. On commercial sires, this can be pretty
tough (you might need a static IP address, etc). That being said, you should
avoid a product that won't be there to support you through those
installations and all the networking trouble you are bound to hit.
-Phil


On Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 2:48 PM, Joel Davidson
<joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> Hello Wrenches,
>
> The subject of PV system monitoring has been discussed before, but I want
> to get your latest recommendations. I have over 50 commercial PV systems in
> several states that I want to monitor on computers both at the site and at
> one central location. Some sites have more than one PV system. What
> internet-based PV monitoring system for multiple commercial PV systems have
> you found to be reliable, provides useful information for identifying
> problems and trouble-shooting, and is reasonably priced? What other
> attributes should I be looking for? And what should I avoid? Thanks in
> advance for your practical and sage advice.
>
> Joel Davidson
>
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