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Going solar is one of the most important steps you can take in your energy resiliency journey. The next important step? Being a responsible solar owner. This involves regularly monitoring your system to ensure all panels are working properly.
We’re excited to announce that you can now ensure panel productivity at an even greater level. EmPower Solar is now offering panel level monitoring for eligible Sunpower systems Be sure to check out this helpful video that helps explain this feature and how to get the most out of it.
If you would like to request to add this powerful feature to your account please email service@empower-solar.com. Please note there may be a one-time set up fee if this feature was not included in your original solar package.
There’s a lot to know about panel level monitoring. Here are some helpful items to get you started:
- Individual panels will naturally vary in production. For example, two exact same 415 watt panel skews can produce different amounts of kWh even if they are placed next to each other in an array.
- Often, nearby chimneys, vent stacks, trees, and even other roof planes can cast shadows on panels, which will show up as panels producing less energy than the panels next to them. This is normal!
- When designing a system for clients, EmPower Solar takes into account these manufacturing differences and carefully calculates an overall annual kWh forecast for the entire system.
- A panel under-producing from others in an array is not necessarily eligible for a “return” or replacement.
- Questions regarding panel under-production will be addressed on a case by case basis.
Below is a good example of adjacent panels showing varying levels of energy for a few different reasons;
You can see that while all panels are producing energy, some are more productive than others. That’s because of the reasons outlined on the site map. Some panels are being shaded and others are just in more direct sunlight. This was taken into consideration when your system was designed.
When it comes to system energy and production, we also recommend this helpful article that helps to explain the basics of your solar system.
Please email service@empower-solar.com if you have any questions about adding this feature to your app or questions on your overall system production.
Save up to 30% on day one and say goodbye to rising electric bills
Save up to 30% on day one and say goodbye to rising electric bills
About the Author
Tara represents EmPower Solar as the Chair of the Long Island Solar & Storage Alliance where she is the government liaison for policy issues related to solar and energy storage. In 2018, Tara was named one of the Top 50 Women in Business by the Long Island Business News. She was also inducted into the Social Justice Distinguished Scholar Academy for her work in environmental justice issues in collaboration with Farmingdale State College.