Recently defunct Solar Analytics

Energy Meters
1

Hi — Jef here from Auckland, New Zealand.

I’m looking for advice on a multi-channel energy monitoring system known to work well with ChargeHQ , preferably via Ethernet or Wi-Fi rather than cellular .

Current setup

  • Tesla Model 3 with Tesla Wall Connector
  • 4 kW Trina PV array
  • Solis-1P5K-4G inverter
  • Solar Analytics (WattWatchers) energy monitor
  • No battery (NZ tax treatment currently makes payback marginal)

Unfortunately:

  • My Solis inverter has never successfully connected to the Solis cloud (despite being the 4G model).
  • The Solar Analytics monitor has become unreliable since the 3G shutdown (~-107 dBm reported signal).
  • External HGA antenna made no practical improvement (-82 dBm measured at the connector).
  • Solar Analytics advised WattWatchers are now in administration and recommended a CatchPower 6-channel monitor (~NZD 750), which I purchased.

I’ve since read here that ChargeHQ does not support Solar Analytics when paired with CatchPower , so I’m concerned I may be heading down the wrong path.

Goals

  • Reliable solar-tracking EV charging in Auckland’s fast-changing cloud conditions
  • Good update rate (15-minute data feels too slow)
  • Local network connectivity preferred (Ethernet/Wi-Fi)
  • Multi-channel monitoring desirable (future load control / hot water integration)

I already use Shelly devices for hot-water control, but understand Shelly PM integration isn’t currently supported by ChargeHQ.

Questions

  1. What energy monitors are currently giving the best real-world results with ChargeHQ?
  2. Is it worth persisting with Solis cloud integration instead?
  3. Are there supported systems that avoid dependence on cellular connectivity altogether?
  4. Can ChargeHQ ingest Fronius Smart Meter data without a Fronius inverter present?

Appreciate any guidance before I double down on more hardware. :slightly_smiling_face:

2

Hi @jef.j.wright. You are correct that Charge HQ does not integrate with the CatchPower device, nor with any other general purpose energy meter such as Shelly.

The Solis update rate is around 3 to 8 minutes (per this page) which probably doesn’t meet your requirements.

If you are willing and able to run a local device such as a Raspberry Pi, you could choose an energy meter that has a good API, and develop an adapter which pulls data from your energy meter then pushes it to Charge HQ via the Push API.

I don’t have hands-on experience with any meters, but I think Shelly does provide a free API? Perhaps others have tried it?

Cheers,
Jay.

3

Hi Jef,

Sorry, this may not be too helpful for you, but I am also in Auckland, with a Solis Inverter, and got caught up in the WattWatcher debacle too, and my original installer has been less than helpful - “go buy a CATCH Control and get your local electrician to install it”. That’s what brought me here. My system is about 5 years old.

My Solis Inverter has a Wi-Fi dongle so I have been able to connect to SolisCloud but that only shows me my solar input, not load, usage, or how much power I’m selling back to the power company.

I didn’t know what ChargeHQ is until I looked it up; and I don’t drive a Tesla. I have a Evnex charger which has its own AC clamp. It monitors and only charges when solar input minus load is over 1.5kWh (changeable in their app; and I can also set charging schedules.

Sorry, no help to you there, but I can sympathize. I have IT background and am perfectly comfortable using a soldering iron but I still wouldn’t want to muck around with programming my own Raspberry and APIs, unless you enjoy the challenge of such a project. Good luck.

Duncan.

4

Thanks for the thought & suggestion Duncan.

An Evnex charger probably should have been my go-to too, but it would have required a really difficult run of CT cabling between the charger and the mains incomer (via an underground conduit that is really too small).

It has been a circuitous journey, but I’m really happy with my charger management progress now.

I’m controlling my Tesla’s charger in real time, over a low-latency, local BLE interface. It adjusts in 1A increments between 0 and 32A in response to surplus solar energy. Small steps are typically stable within a few seconds and passing through 15.5A or 31.5A causes a short pause in slewing before either proceeding or stabilizing. I’m confident that my car’s HV contactor isn’t being overworked and my car isn’t being kept awake by unnecessary polling. I’m measuring grid supply, solar supply and EV load power, current & voltage with Shelley EM50s and the BLE interface is provided by an Athom smart plug. Total cost (if I started from scratch, knowing what I do today) could be under about $250.

Cheers, Jef.