About
Solar Assistant transforms a low-cost Raspberry Pi into a powerful solar monitoring and control hub for homeowners, off-grid enthusiasts, and professional solar installers. The platform delivers real-time metrics updated every 2 seconds, giving users immediate visibility into their solar investment's performance through intuitive web, Android, and iOS interfaces. Unlike proprietary monitoring devices, Solar Assistant leverages the globally available and affordable Raspberry Pi, significantly reducing hardware costs while delivering superior functionality. The system operates as a fully standalone solution — no internet connection required — making it ideal for off-grid and remote installations. When internet access is available, all features remain accessible remotely. Solar installers benefit greatly from the remote inverter settings adjustment feature, eliminating costly on-site visits for configuration changes and enabling superior post-sale customer support. The platform also supports role-based, multi-site access under a single login, allowing unlimited users to be invited with either view-only or administrator permissions across multiple installations. Solar Assistant boasts broad inverter compatibility, supporting popular brands including Growatt, Deye, EG4, SunSynk, Axpert, Sol-Ark, Luxpower, and many more — including numerous rebranded Voltronic and Deye models. Developers and smart home enthusiasts can extend functionality via MQTT integration or take advantage of built-in Home Assistant automatic discovery support, enabling Solar Assistant data to flow directly into broader home automation workflows.
Key Features
- Real-Time Monitoring: Live solar system metrics updated every 2 seconds, accessible via web browser, Android, and iPhone apps from anywhere.
- Remote Inverter Control: Adjust inverter settings remotely without on-site visits, ideal for solar installers managing multiple client systems.
- Multi-Site Role-Based Access: Manage unlimited sites and users from a single login, assigning view-only or administrator permissions per user per site.
- Home Assistant & MQTT Integration: Automatic device discovery for Home Assistant and open MQTT support for custom integrations and home automation projects.
- Offline / Standalone Operation: Functions fully without an internet connection as a standalone local system, with all remote features available when connected.
Use Cases
- Homeowners monitoring their rooftop solar system in real-time to optimize energy consumption and reduce electricity bills.
- Solar installers remotely adjusting inverter settings and diagnosing client systems without costly on-site service visits.
- Off-grid and remote property owners tracking battery state, solar generation, and load consumption without relying on cloud connectivity.
- Smart home enthusiasts integrating solar data into Home Assistant dashboards for unified energy management automation.
- Solar businesses managing a fleet of customer installations from a single multi-site dashboard with granular user access controls.
Pros
- Cost-Effective Hardware: Runs on a Raspberry Pi instead of expensive proprietary monitoring devices, drastically reducing upfront hardware costs.
- Works Offline: Fully functional without internet, making it reliable for off-grid and remote installations where connectivity is limited.
- Wide Inverter Compatibility: Supports a large range of popular inverter brands including Growatt, Deye, EG4, SunSynk, Axpert, and many OEM rebrands.
- Open Integration Ecosystem: Native Home Assistant integration and MQTT support allow Solar Assistant data to plug into broader smart home and automation setups.
Cons
- Requires Raspberry Pi Hardware: Users must purchase and set up a Raspberry Pi themselves, adding a hardware prerequisite that may deter non-technical users.
- Limited to Supported Inverters: While compatibility is broad, not every inverter model is supported, and users must verify compatibility before purchasing.
- Initial Setup Complexity: Getting the Raspberry Pi configured and connected to the inverter may require technical knowledge, which can be a barrier for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardware do I need to run Solar Assistant?
You need a Raspberry Pi (available globally and at low cost) along with a compatible solar inverter. Solar Assistant software is installed on the Raspberry Pi and connects directly to your inverter.
Does Solar Assistant work without an internet connection?
Yes. Solar Assistant is a standalone system that operates fully offline on your local network. When internet access is available, all features — including remote access and control — become accessible from anywhere.
Which inverters are supported?
Solar Assistant supports a wide range of brands including Growatt, Deye, EG4, SunSynk, Axpert, Sol-Ark, Kodak, Luxpower, Mecer, RCT, MUST Power, SRNE, InfiniSolar, Easun Power, Megarevo, and MPP Solar. Many rebranded Voltronic or Deye inverters are also supported.
Can multiple users or sites be managed from one account?
Yes. Solar Assistant supports multi-site management with role-based access control. You can invite unlimited users to any site and assign them view-only or administrator roles, all accessible under a single login.
Does Solar Assistant integrate with Home Assistant?
Yes. Solar Assistant includes built-in Home Assistant integration with automatic device discovery. It also supports MQTT for custom integrations, making it compatible with a wide range of home automation and smart energy platforms.
