OWL Intuition PV Solar Energy Monitor Web Based

We have recently struggled to decide between a Solar Geo optical monitoring system with its better accuracy and this cheaper (half the price) OWL clamp measuring system. We decided to go with the OWL system based both on price and the fact that you get both solar generation information and electricity usage data as well. The OWL system was easy to install (if you follow the new online device pairing instructions not the old instructions in the manual) and yes the current clamps are big but I found them to be easy to maneuver even in a relatively cramped cupboard and fit them round tightly packed and inflexible wires. The OWL dashboard is great and the apps are useful, the ipad one seems much more reliable than the android one. The OWL current clamps do give less accurate data than an optical system (well I guess this from reading around) and today our system generated 11 kWh and the OWL system registered 10 kWh but for the price and as a monitoring system that delivers useful real time information it is brilliant. So while I do understand some of the negative comments posted in some reviews, these comments did nearly pout me off buying an OWL intuition PV monitor, I am glad I went for it.

There’s few options to monitor electricity accurately for systems with solar panels, but Owl has this offering. When it works it is pretty good. Not as accurate at it could be but shows relative usage and usefully has sets of graphs for hour by hour or month by month comparisons. The issue comes when the servers in Owls cloud break down. This happens every 8 weeks or so. Most of the time these are resolved within a day or two, leaving gaps in your usage and generation history so the usage never ties up with the bills. You can speed up getting this fixed but that means going via tech support which gives a dismissive and sometimes quite curt, if not rude attitude to the customer.

NewThe decision to force a subscription model on current owners is clear rent seeking. Many others offer graphing etc for free (actually for your data, like Fbook etc.) Unacceptable. Avoid.PreviousDelivery, product quality, and ease of installation are all excellent. Problem is with accuracy. Like all current clamp meters, the is poor accuracy especially at low levels. Above c200W it is 10% but below is 'unspecified'. So, useful if you just want a guide, but if you want any level of accuracy this is not for you. Sadly, no-one seems to make what is the obvious product. At least that I have been able to find. I am talking about a photoelectric sensor that captures the LED flashes that all modern meters give. These are 100% accurate (to the meter reading, which is what is important). Yes, I could make one using a Raspberry Pi or similar, but all the hassle of one-off software does not seem worth it.Anyone know who supplies such an instrument? LightwaveRF are supposed to be 'working on it' but unlikely to include PV and they do not support graphing- or any storage even. And their products are vapourware for years...

3 Stars, as it is "OK". If there was another product, I would have gone for it, for the dislikes below.Like:It gives Generated (PV) as well as Imported electricity, which is the main reason for this unit.Has limited a graphing feature, but very useful.Has an Android App. (very nice, but see dislikes)Installed quite easily. ( drilled a hole in side of consumer unit to fit neatly.)Can download in CSV format all data. (so can do own graphs/ upload to own web space).Support from Owl is good.Dislike:Messy account registration (really messy!!).Mine actually stopped sending data, so only fix was to "factory reset", a real pain. (had to re-register)Must use Owl online server, can upload to own Web space.Android App is weak, not as good as browser version. (no graphing feature... maybe this will come)Had to pay separately for the Y lead which is expensive for what it is!For me to "love" this item (5 stars), dislikes 1,2 and 3 would need to be addressed! 1 & 2 SHOULD be easy!

My 2 year old PV system did not have the ability to provide monitoring info over the Internet. I read about the owl system and it appeared to be what I wanted. I have now bought it and had this installed for over 2 weeks, and it works well.BUT, be aware during installation, "do not try to follow the included paper manuals" they are out of day or just wrong !! (Oct2015) Go to the web site and follow the pairing instructions etc from the online information. It actually states on the web site not to follow the manuals.With the right information the Installation is easy, but again beware 2 of the clamps require to be orientated a special way. This is shown on page 5 of the online brochure but not on the manuals.Its now working well, all I need is a bit of sun.