The increasing popularity of solar energy as a sustainable and efficient power source has led to the development of various smartphone applications that aid in the management and monitoring of solar panels. In this regard, several solar panel apps have been designed for Android and iOS platforms to help users optimize the performance of their solar panels while also providing them with real-time data on energy production, consumption, and savings. This article aims to provide an overview of the best solar panels apps available for Android and iOS devices, highlighting their features and benefits for users.
We have compiled a list of 8 Best Solar Panels Apps For Android & iOS for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
Table of Contents
8 Best Solar Panels Apps For Android & iOS
1. iSolar – Install solar panel
iSolar is a software tool that can help individuals and organizations optimize the orientation of their solar panels. Designed for those who may be new to the field, this program can help users determine the best angle for their photovoltaic panels based on seasonal conditions.
With iSolar, users can access a range of features and functionality that can help them make informed decisions about their solar plant. The software is particularly useful for those who may not have prior experience with solar energy or who are unsure of how to direct their panels for optimal performance.
One of the key benefits of iSolar is that it allows users to calculate the best orientation for their panels based on the season. This means that users can adjust their panels to take advantage of seasonal changes in sunlight, such as changes in the angle and intensity of the sun’s rays.
Overall, iSolar is a valuable tool for anyone who is interested in optimizing the performance of their solar plant. By providing users with easy-to-use software that is specifically designed for solar energy, iSolar can help users achieve their energy goals and reduce their reliance on traditional power sources.
2. Lumos: Sun and Moon Tracker
Lumos is a powerful app that accurately predicts the position of the sun and moon at any time, on any day, in any place. It offers six main modules that provide various views of the sun and moon positions, including augmented reality view, map view, Street View mode, calendar view, notifications module, and shadow length view.
The augmented reality view uses AR technology to project past, present, or future sun and moon positions (and moon phases!) onto your surroundings, making it easy to visualize your plans. The map view overlays the sun and moon positions for a given time and location onto a map of that location, allowing for remote planning. The Street View mode works similarly to the AR view, but it uses Google Street View to envision sun and moon positions for remote locations.
The calendar view displays a simple list of rise/set times and moon phases throughout the year, providing a quick overview. The notifications module lets users sign up for notifications for significant solar and lunar events, including astronomical, nautical, and civil dawn/dusk, blue hour, golden hour, sunrise/set, solar noon, moon rise/set, lunar transit, and lunar perigee/apogee. The shadow length view calculates the exact length of the shadow an object will cast on a given time and day, visually and numerically.
With Lumos Pro, users can search for a location by name or manually enter coordinates, save locations for later reference or offline use, and take notes on a saved location. However, the map view and Street View do not currently support offline use.
Lumos provides accurate sun and moon positions, with precision to within a small fraction of a degree. However, the accuracy of the projection is dependent on the underlying hardware. Users are advised to calibrate their device’s compass and ensure they are not near any sources of electromagnetic interference, such as microwaves, computers, car engines, or high voltage lines.
3. My Solar
The Solar Smart Monitor, in conjunction with the Solar Analytics subscription, allows users to access the My Solar app on their mobile devices to view various aspects of their solar energy system. These include details about the system’s performance, energy usage, electricity bought and sold, as well as information on how and when the system is being used. The app also provides information on expected versus actual energy generation on any given day, and has alerts and diagnostic features to detect issues.
The Solar Analytics dashboard enables users to determine the most efficient times to use energy-hungry appliances throughout the day. By running the pool pump and setting appliances to operate at optimal times, users can potentially reduce their energy bills.
With almost 52% of solar panels likely to experience performance issues at any given time, the live monitor feature is critical. Updated every five seconds, this feature provides real-time data on the current state of the system, allowing users to quickly detect any faults or issues that may arise.
4. Solar Tilt
Solar Tilt is an application that helps to calculate tilt angles for adjustable solar panels, depending on the date and latitude, or season and latitude. The features of the application include providing tilt angles for the current date and the latitude, which is determined by the device’s GPS location. Additionally, users can manually enter the date and latitude to determine other tilt angles, or when GPS is not available.
The application also includes an option for seasonal tilt angles (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter), based on the device’s GPS location. Users can manually enter the latitude to calculate seasonal tilt angles for other locations. This feature enables users to determine the optimal tilt angle for their solar panels based on the season and location.
Finally, the application allows users to use their Android device to measure and adjust the angle of a solar panel easily. To use this function, users need to place their device on the solar panel and adjust the panel until two lines merge. This functionality provides a convenient way to adjust the solar panel’s angle accurately based on the calculated tilt angles.
5. Optimal Tilt Angle for PV System by NRG Labs
The Optimal Tilt app offers a means of accurately determining the optimal tilt angle for photovoltaic (PV) systems. Incorrect positioning of a PV system can lead to losses in electricity generation and questions regarding the feasibility of the project. The app provides several benefits to its users, such as determining the optimal tilt angle, orientation, daily and monthly tilt angles, and an on-site inclinometer for angle measurements. Additionally, it offers other solar analytics tools, a map compass for azimuth determination, and a satellite map view.
The tilt angle of the panels is an essential parameter for PV systems. It refers to the angle at which the photovoltaic panels are set to face the sun relative to a horizontal position. Optimal Tilt utilizes an optimization model to determine the ideal tilt angle for maximum electricity generation from the PV system for a given location. The app employs a sophisticated method for maximizing energy yield while achieving the best performance for any desired location.
The model used by Optimal Tilt is based on advanced techniques for maximizing energy yield to attain the most ideal performance for any desired location. The app offers additional tools and features that can assist in optimizing PV systems and evaluating their performance, including financial benefits.
6. Solar Panel Simulator for PV System 3D
The PV System Simulator app allows users to simulate their desired photovoltaic (PV) system for any chosen location. Users can rotate their phone and face all directions to choose the optimal position for their solar panels and compare the results with the ideal position. The app features a user-friendly interface and is easy to use. Users can select a location, configure their PV system, and simulate it.
The app features four powerful simulators, including the Energy Yield Simulator, Electricity Generation Simulator, Savings Simulator, and Payback Simulator. Users can obtain real-time data for any chosen location, configuration, and orientation. However, note that the user’s phone will need to have a magnetometer and gyroscope to obtain the tilt angle and orientation of the PV system.
The app provides users with all the necessary parameters they need for their future PV system. Users can obtain information such as current and optimal annual electricity generation, current and optimal monthly electricity generation, current and optimal energy yield, and current and ideal savings. Additionally, users can view current and optimal payback periods, current and optimal tilt angles, and current and optimal orientation.
The PV System Simulator app aims to provide users with more than just an app. The goal is to help users find the best output for their PV system and explore the possibility of solar power as an unlimited source of energy. The app also encourages users to make a minor impact on climate change. If users need help designing their PV system or interpreting the data, they can consult the user manual or contact support at support@mypanelexpert.com.
7. My Solar Panel
My Solar Panel is an app for those looking to invest in a photovoltaic solar installation. It provides information on the feasibility of the desired solar power system and helps in the decision-making process for installation. The app offers flexibility for designing the photovoltaic panels, solar power inverter, and other equipment. Users can set their PV system on any location on the map according to their needs.
My Solar Panel is an all-in-one app that offers various parameters for any location on the map. The app provides monthly and daily optimal tilt angles, optimal orientation, annual and monthly electricity generation, total area of all panels, and more. It also has an optimization module, shading module, and real-time solar PV simulator.
The app is easy to use with a simple and user-friendly interface. It has a three-step approach: choose a location, design the system, and see the results. Users can input basic and advanced data, including the installed power of their PV system, tilt angle of the panels, average electricity price, and more.
Users can optimize their results by finding the optimal tilt angle and orientation, minimizing shading losses, and comparing results. The PV simulator is a live simulation of the PV panels using the user’s phone.
Other features of the app include checking shading losses, sunrise and sunset for any time of the year, and sun position for any time of the year. The app aims to encourage the use of solar power as an unlimited source of energy and to help users make a minor impact on climate change.
The app is free, but users can upgrade to the PRO version for full access to all features. Terms and conditions can be found on the app’s website.
8. SolarCT
SolarCT is an app designed to assist new green energy users in building solar systems. The app is compatible with Jelly Bean (4.1+) and offers various features to facilitate calculations and guide users through the necessary steps for building a solar system for home.
One of the main benefits of SolarCT is its ability to help engineers determine the correct angle and direction of solar panels in the fields, as well as how to wire batteries and solar panels. In addition, the app serves as a calculator for solar system components such as the number of required solar panels and batteries, the size of the inverter/UPS and controller charger, and how to connect solar panels and batteries in series and parallel.
SolarCT offers accurate calculations and provides users with multiple options to choose from. The app has various functions, including an advanced way and step-by-step way of calculating the requirements of the solar system. It also calculates daily, monthly, and annually solar radiation, running hours of battery, orientation and tilt/inclination of solar panels, and the connection of solar panels and batteries in series and parallel.
Furthermore, SolarCT calculates the consumption of appliances, wires gauge AWG, mm² and SWG, and drop voltage, as well as water pump power. If users encounter any issues inside the app or if the translation is not good at English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese language, they are encouraged to contact the developers by email.
The developers of SolarCT value their users’ support and encourage them to download the app to increase the number of features available in future updates. Overall, SolarCT is a useful app for those interested in building solar systems and seeking an efficient and accurate calculation tool.