At NATiVE Solar, we’re all about bringing you the latest in solar technology. Our goal isn’t just to put solar panels on your roof and battery storage in your garage; we want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your solar system and maximizing our homeowners’ insights into how they consume energy in their home. That’s why we’re excited to talk about “smart” electrical panels and how they can make a real difference in your home.
What is a Smart Electrical Panel?
Think of a smart electrical panel as an upgraded version of your traditional electrical panel – it’s designed to replace your old main circuit breaker and electrical sub-panels. But beyond protecting each circuit from overloading, smart panels are designed to give you more control and insight into your home’s energy copnsumption – down to the watt. And unlike the old-school panels, these smart panels communicate seamlessly with your installed solar power and battery storage to provide remote management and switching, real-time monitoring, and smart energy management (aka “auto-shedding of electrical loads”).
Cool Features of Smart Electrical Panels
- Real-Time Energy Monitoring
With smart panels, you can see exactly how much electricity each appliance (and/or any device plugged into a wall outlet) in your home is using at any given moment. It can also help identify “ghost loads” and/or devices which may be beginning to fail or malfunction. The easy-to-use app lets you track your energy consumption to identify trends, and even to where you and your family can cut back to save money. - Smart Energy Management
Smart panels don’t just monitor energy use; they help manage it too. You can prioritize essential circuits and decide where to send power during an outage, ensuring that your most important loads (lights, fridge, security/internet, etc) stay running by automatically “shedding” non-essential, high-energy-draw loads such as HVAC or pool heater as battery capacity goes lower (usually in the evening) . This gives greater flexibility – especially when more modestly sized battery backup systems are installed. This approach extracts the most value from your solar+battery investment and helps ensure you will always have power for critical loads in your home. - Seamless Integration with Solar and Storage
Smart panels work in tandem with the energy grid, solar systems and battery storage, making it easier to use the energy you generate and store. This integration ensures you’re getting the most efficiency out of your solar setup and once it’s set up, it just works invisibly in the background. - Customizable Controls
Phone and web apps allow you to control your home’s energy use right from your phone. You can turn off non-essential circuits when you’re away, manage loads during peak times, and get alerts if something’s off.
Why Consider Upgrading to a Smart Electrical Panel?
Upgrading to a smart electrical panel means taking control of your energy usage and maximizing your solar investment. It offers peace of mind by providing insights and control over your home’s power consumption, making it easier to manage your available/remaining storage energy and to stay prepared for any situation -especially when only modestly-sized battery backup systems have been installed. New NATiVE Solar systems here in Texas are increasingly being specified to include smart panels such as the SPAN Panel from SPAN.io.
Final Thoughts
We’re always looking for ways to bring you the best in solar technology. Whether you’re a “data junkie” and desire granular visibility into how your family is consuming energy, or simply want to squeeze the most capability from your home’s battery backup system, smart electrical panels are a game-changer, offering real-time monitoring, smart management, and seamless integration with your solar power system. If you’re interested in learning more about how these panels can benefit your home, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help you make informed decisions during your solar journey!
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