🌞 Complete Local Solar Monitoring Solution - PRODUCTION READY!
Author: Barry Solomon
Email: barry@testingalchemy.com
License: MIT License
A professional, feature-complete solar monitoring system for SunPower installations. Replace expensive cloud services with your own local dashboard. Features real-time charts, comprehensive analytics, system management, and modern web interface. No monthly fees, complete data ownership, works offline.
Real-time solar monitoring dashboard with new system dropdown menu, showing 2.71 kW production, 0.35 kW home usage, and 2.37 kW grid export with all 21 devices online
What you're seeing:
- 🌞 Solar Production: 2.71 kW currently being generated by your panels
- 🏠 Home Usage: 0.35 kW being consumed by your home right now
- ⚡ Grid Power: 2.37 kW being exported back to the grid (earning you money!)
- 📊 Device Status: All 21 devices online (18 inverters + 3 monitoring devices)
- 📈 Performance Data: Peak production of 6.28 kW, daily averages, and comprehensive analytics
This is your system working perfectly - generating clean energy, powering your home, and selling excess back to the utility company!
Interactive power flow analysis with customizable time periods and chart types
Advanced Analytics Features:
- 📈 Interactive Charts: Real-time power flow visualization with production (green), consumption (red), and grid export/import (blue)
- ⏱️ Flexible Time Periods: Last hour, 4 hours, 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days
- 📊 Multiple Chart Types: Line charts, area charts, and bar charts
- 🔍 Detailed Analysis: Minute-by-minute data resolution for precise monitoring
- 📱 Responsive Design: Full-screen mode and adjustable chart heights
Interactive API explorer with live testing capabilities
Developer-Friendly API:
- 🛠️ Interactive Testing: Test all endpoints directly in the browser
- 📚 Complete Documentation: Detailed parameter descriptions and example responses
- 🌐 RESTful Design: Standard HTTP methods with JSON responses
- 🔗 Direct PVS6 Access: Connect directly to your SunPower gateway
- ⚡ Real-Time Data: Live system status, device information, and historical data
- Card-Based Layout: Clean, organized design throughout all pages
- Responsive Design: Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
- Real-Time Status Indicators: PVS6, Collector, and Database status in menu bar
- Smooth Transitions: Enhanced user experience with modern animations
- Clean Navigation: Intuitive 6-page structure with System dropdown menu (Overview, Inverters, Analytics, Data, System ▼, Help)
- Comprehensive Help System: Built-in documentation for all features and troubleshooting
- Interactive Charts: Chart.js integration with multiple time periods (1h, 4h, 24h, 7d, 30d)
- Performance Summary: Total production, consumption, net export with time period selector
- Peak Performance Tracking: Production, consumption, and export peaks with timestamps
- Daily Averages: Comprehensive statistics for any time period
- Import/Export Analysis: Charts show negative values for grid import
- 18 Inverter Dashboard: Individual status cards for all inverters
- Summary Statistics: Total power, online count, average efficiency
- Auto-Loading Data: Inverters load automatically on page access
- Real-Time Updates: Live power output and efficiency monitoring
- Quick Actions: Export data, run diagnostics, toggle auto-refresh
- Complete SQL Query Interface: Full SQL editor with AG-Grid results display and chart visualization
- Table Browser: Filter by time range and device type with sortable columns
- Template Queries: Pre-built queries for common analyses (Recent Production, Device Summary, etc.)
- Export Capabilities: CSV and JSON downloads for all query results
- Chart Integration: Visualize SQL query results as interactive charts
- System Dropdown Menu: Organized navigation with System, Database, and API options
- System Information: Version, uptime, temperature, disk usage, and service status
- Database Statistics: Real-time metrics, record counts, and health monitoring (moved from Data page)
- Database Maintenance: Cleanup, optimization, and backup tools (moved from Data page)
- PVS6 Diagnostics: Enhanced WiFi signal strength detection with multi-platform support
- System Management: Service control, WiFi management, and recovery wizard
- Organized Layout: Card-based design with structured sections
- Environment Variables: Secure .env file for sensitive data (serial numbers, passwords)
- Automatic Setup: Secure file permissions and configuration management
- Credential Protection: No hardcoded passwords or serial numbers in code
- Reboot Persistence: Configuration survives system restarts
- Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) - $55
- 64GB MicroSD Card - $12
- USB-C Power Supply - $12
- Ethernet Cable (25ft) - $8
- PVS6 WiFi Connection: SunPower12345 hotspot (172.27.152.1)
- Home Network Access: Ethernet connection for remote monitoring
- Dual Network Setup: WiFi to PVS6, Ethernet to home network
| Feature | SunPower | Your System | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Monitoring | $10/month ($100/year) | FREE | $100-120/year |
| Data Ownership | ❌ No | ✅ Complete | Priceless |
| Offline Access | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Reliability |
| Custom Features | ❌ Limited | ✅ Unlimited | Flexibility |
Total Savings: $100-120+ per year plus complete data control!
- Flash SD Card: Use Raspberry Pi Imager with Raspberry Pi OS Lite
- Enable SSH: Set username
barryand password during imaging - Boot & Connect: Connect Pi to your network via Ethernet
- Find IP: Check your router or use
nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24
SSH to your Pi and run:
# Download and install
wget -O install.sh https://raw.githubusercontent.com/your-repo/solar-monitor/main/install.sh
chmod +x install.sh
./install.shThis automatically:
- ✅ Installs all dependencies (Python, Flask, Chart.js)
- ✅ Configures PVS6 connection and environment variables
- ✅ Sets up professional dashboard with all 5 pages
- ✅ Starts monitoring services with auto-restart
- ✅ Begins data collection every 60 seconds
# Edit configuration file with your PVS6 details
sudo nano /opt/solar_monitor/.env
# Update these values:
PVS6_SERIAL_NUMBER=YOUR_PVS6_SERIAL_HERE
PVS6_WIFI_PASSWORD=YOUR_WIFI_PASSWORD_HEREOpen browser: http://YOUR_PI_IP:5000/
- Real-Time Tiles: Production, consumption, grid status, device count
- Performance Summary: Total production, consumption, net export with time period selector
- Peak Performance: Production, consumption, and export peaks with timestamps
- Daily Averages: Comprehensive statistics for selected time period
- Summary Dashboard: Total inverters, online count, total power, average efficiency
- Individual Inverter Cards: Status, power output, efficiency, temperature for all 18 inverters
- Auto-Loading: Inverters load automatically on page access
- Quick Actions: Export data, diagnostics, auto-refresh toggle
- Interactive Charts: Line, area, and bar charts with Chart.js
- Time Periods: Last hour, 4 hours, 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days
- Import/Export Analysis: Charts show negative values for grid import
- Summary Statistics: Production, consumption, and grid interaction metrics
- SQL Query Interface: Full SQL editor with syntax highlighting
- Database Statistics: Real-time metrics and health monitoring
- Table Browser: Browse all tables with filtering and sorting
- Data Export: One-click CSV and JSON downloads
- Pre-Built Templates: Common queries for analysis
- PVS6 Diagnostics: Signal strength, connection status, recovery tools
- System Information: Temperature, disk usage, uptime, service status
- Database Maintenance: Cleanup, optimization, and backup tools
- Professional Layout: Card-based design with real-time updates
# Check service status
sudo systemctl status solar-monitor.service solar-data-collector.service
# View logs
sudo journalctl -u solar-monitor.service -f
# Restart services
sudo systemctl restart solar-monitor.service solar-data-collector.service# Check WiFi connection
iwconfig
ping 172.27.152.1
# Test PVS6 API
curl "http://172.27.152.1/cgi-bin/dl_cgi?Command=DeviceList"
# Reset WiFi connection
sudo nmcli connection down PVS6-WiFi
sudo nmcli connection up PVS6-WiFi# Test local connection
curl http://localhost:5000/api/current_status
# Check database
ls -la /opt/solar_monitor/solar_data.db
# Verify configuration
cat /opt/solar_monitor/.env- QUICKSTART.md - Quick installation guide
- RASPBERRY_PI_SETUP.md - Detailed Pi setup
- docs/guides/BEGINNER_GUIDE.md - Non-technical user guide
- docs/guides/FAQ.md - Frequently asked questions
- docs/hardware/HARDWARE_CHECKLIST.md - Shopping list
- docs/guides/NETWORK_SETUP.md - Network configuration
- docs/hardware/PVS6_TROUBLESHOOTING.md - PVS6 connection help
- docs/HOME_ASSISTANT_INTEGRATION.md - Home Assistant setup
- docs/GRAFANA_INTEGRATION.md - Professional monitoring
- docs/COMMUNITY_INTEGRATION.md - Community projects
- Device Detection: 21 devices (1 PVS6 + 2 meters + 18 inverters)
- Real-Time Data: 4.5-7.7 kW production during peak sunlight
- Auto-Updates: Dashboard refreshes every 30 seconds
- Response Time: <200ms for all pages
- Offline Operation: Works 24/7 without internet
- All 18 Inverters Online: Individual power output 250-430W each
- Real-Time Efficiency: 92-96% typical efficiency per inverter
- Temperature Monitoring: Individual inverter temperature tracking
- Status Indicators: Online/offline status for each inverter
- Collection Interval: Every 60 seconds
- Database Growth: ~60 records per hour
- Historical Storage: SQLite with automatic optimization
- Data Export: CSV/JSON for external analysis
This project builds upon excellent work by:
- Scott Gruby - Original PVS6 API research
- Nelson Minar - PVS6 documentation
- Gino Ledesma - Prometheus integration
- Community Contributors - Various implementations
- Community-developed solution based on proven methods
- Production-ready monitoring system with professional features
- Cost-effective alternative to paid cloud services
- Complete data ownership with offline operation
- Official SunPower software (this is independent)
- Warranty-voiding modification (read-only monitoring only)
- Internet-dependent service (works completely offline)
- Test thoroughly before relying on it for critical monitoring
- Follow safety guidelines when working with electrical equipment
- Backup your data regularly using built-in tools
- Share your experience to help the community improve
- Backend: Python 3.7+ with Flask framework
- Frontend: HTML5/CSS3 with Chart.js for analytics
- Database: SQLite with automatic optimization
- Services: Systemd for reliable operation
- PVS6 Connection: WiFi to SunPower12345 hotspot
- Home Network: Ethernet for remote access
- API Access: Direct connection to PVS6 at 172.27.152.1
- Memory Usage: <100MB typical
- CPU Usage: <5% during normal operation
- Disk Space: <1GB including database
- Network Traffic: Minimal (local connections only)
Barry Solomon
Email: barry@testingalchemy.com
- Brett Durrett for SunPower PVS6 WiFi credential research
- SunPower Corporation for creating the PVS6 gateway (trademark of SunPower Corp)
- Open Source Community for the excellent libraries and tools used
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
This software is not affiliated with or endorsed by SunPower Corporation. SunPower is a trademark of SunPower Corporation. This is an independent monitoring solution for educational and personal use only.
Ready to take control of your solar data? Get started with the one-command installation above.
Current Version: v1.1.0.97 Production Release
Last Updated: September 29, 2025
System Status: 🟢 Production Ready