With the Australian Government’s Energy White Paper advocating an increase in price for electricity used during peak times; a new device launched by solar provider Energy Matters will assist Australian solar households take more control over their power consumption and costs.
“The Energy Matters Power Monitor will provide system owners with real time monitoring of their solar power system’s production and importantly, household electricity consumption,” said Energy Matters CEO, Jeremy Rich.
“If people are aware they may be using too much electricity during a particularly expensive time of the day, they can then shift usage to a period when rates are cheaper.”
The Energy Matters Power Monitor is installed near the meter box and transmits power consumption and solar electricity generation data securely to a central server through the home’s Wi-Fi network. The information can then be accessed through a user-friendly online portal via smartphone, desktop, notebook or tablet computer.
Energy Matters Power Monitor
Energy Matters Power Monitor Online Dashboard
Sample Performance Chart
A demonstration demonstration account can be accessed here.
Username: demo@energymatters.com.au
Password: demo
Current key features include:
– Emails an alert if your solar PV system stops working.
– Emails an alert if your consumption goes above a certain limit.
– Tells you what percentage of your consumption is supplied by your PV system.
– Allows you to identify power hungry appliances and reduce your consumption.
“This real time data will help solar households manage their consumption to match their solar production,” says Mr. Rich.
“Daily email alerts will also provide feedback of solar power system performance and household consumption against set targets. Our system is about putting power back in the hands of people, rather than them needing to guess and brace themselves each time they receive an electricity bill.”
Mr. Rich says his company is initially conducting a trial of 50 Energy Matters Power Monitors in Melbourne before a national rollout of the system. The trial monitors are being offered as a bonus to eligible Melbourne customers purchasing selected solar panel systems during November.
The Energy Matters Power Monitor is expected to be 1/3 the price of its nearest competitor.
Further details about the monitoring system and trial can be viewed on the Energy Matters web site, or by calling the company on 133 SUN.
