Product profile: Install an energy monitor yourself…

Many energy monitoring products need you to access breaker box wiring to install current clamps and the like. This is work that should be done by a qualified electrician. The Powersensor Solar Monitor, however, can be installed by the homeowner without the cost of calling in a sparkie.

The monitor consists of two wireless, rechargeable, battery-powered current sensors. These are installed near the main service fuse and the solar inverter. They talk to a plug unit that is connected in-line with an appliance, which allows for consumption calibration of the sensors. The plug sends the data from the sensors to the web via wi-fi and you can access your data using the associated app.

Data includes energy generated, energy consumed locally, and exports, so you can tell if you are self-consuming efficiently and when you are sending too much to the grid instead of using it locally.

The Powersensor kit comes with two sensors and one plug unit, suitable for single-phase homes. A three-phase kit will be available in late 2021 or early 2022.