Photovoltaic roof monitoring: what it shows and what it misses

It should not be assumed that every app displays all of these quantities.

At handover, ask for a brief explanation of the screen. Establish the units, the time range and the meaning of each value. Momentary power in kilowatts is something different from energy over a month. A simple reading error can look like a major installation problem, even though it results solely from confusing two different data points.

Also ask how often the readings refresh. A value visible after switching on a large load may still describe an earlier state. Without this knowledge, correct measurement behaviour can easily be mistaken for an error.

Not always. The cause may be a loss of internet connection, a communication problem between devices or a delay in updating. The installation may be operating during this time while the app does not show new readings. On the other hand, working access to the app alone does not prove that all components are working correctly.

The check should begin with the messages and information permitted for the user in the instructions. It is worth noting when the interruption occurred. There is no need to reset the entire system or change settings straight away. If the cause is not clear, the service should distinguish a data transmission problem from an interruption in actual production.

If the system supports monitoring at an appropriate level, the map makes it easier to compare sections of the roof. It allows a deviation at a specific location to be noticed and linked to the geometry of the roof slope. However, correct assignment of the elements is needed. An incorrectly labelled map can direct diagnostics to the wrong area.

Different results do not necessarily mean a fault. A field near the chimney, on a different orientation or with a different power requires the appropriate reference point. Interpretation should be based on the design and operating history. Monitoring helps to find the question worth checking; it does not always provide the final answer itself.

Correct production does not confirm the tightness of the flashings, the patency of the gutter or the condition of all fixings. Nor does it rule out a problem with the layers beneath the covering. In an integrated roof the energy and building functions occur together, but checking them requires different methods. The reading on a phone covers only part of this picture.

That is why, after strong wind or on noticing a leak, you should not be reassured by a green icon alone. A roofing inspection or a check of the installation may be needed. On the other hand, the absence of an alarm after ordinary rain is no reason to take the roof slope apart as a precaution. Actions should follow from symptoms and from the maintenance plan.

The owner should have their own access to the data, not merely the option of asking the installer for a screenshot. It is worth establishing who receives the alarms and whether the service actively monitors them. Connecting the installation to a portal does not in itself mean a round-the-clock monitoring service. Such a scope requires an explicit agreement.

Keep the contact address up to date and manage the account securely. When changing contractor or selling the house, access must be handed over in accordance with the provider’s procedure. The option to export the history is useful. It allows continuity of data to be maintained even when the app or the terms of service change.

Watch the trend over comparable periods and set it against the weather and events on the roof. Treat an alarm according to the instructions, not as an invitation to carry out repairs yourself. If something has changed, give the service a specific date, message and extract from the history. Such data speed up identification of the problem.

The advantage of a well-planned integrated system is the ability to combine the installation map with the documentation of the covering. It is then clear where to look for a component and how to reach it. Monitoring becomes part of the building’s maintenance. It works best together with inspections and well-ordered documentation, not instead of them.

Among the manufacturers and brands of photovoltaic roofs are ML System, 3S Swiss Solar Solutions, Wienerberger Wevolt, SolRoof, LUMA Solar, Dyaqua, SunRoof, MDM NT (MyRoof), Electrotile and Solartag.