Solar PV, Battery Storage and DC Loggers
Use this guide when you need to measure DC voltage, DC current, DC power, solar irradiance, PV output or battery-system behaviour over time.
Solar and DC investigations often need different proof from standard AC load surveys. You may need to compare irradiance with PV output, check battery charge and discharge patterns, monitor DC voltage stability or record DC energy use on renewable-energy and telecoms systems.
When to use solar or DC logging
- You need to compare solar irradiance with PV system output.
- You are investigating battery storage charging, discharging, voltage behaviour or performance issues.
- You need DC voltage, current, power or energy proof over a normal operating period.
- You are checking renewable-energy circuits, telecoms DC supplies or other DC systems.
- You need recorded data before maintenance, performance review or system changes.
What to measure
- Solar irradiance over time.
- PV output and DC energy.
- DC voltage and DC current.
- Battery charging and discharging patterns.
- Minimum, maximum and average DC voltage or current where relevant.
Recommended loggers
DC-3VA: Electrocorder DC-3VA DC Energy Data Logger
Use for DC voltage, current, power and energy studies on battery systems, telecoms, DC supplies and renewable-energy circuits.
PV-3: Electrocorder PV-3 Solar PV Output Recorder
Use when you need to compare solar irradiance with PV output and understand how a solar installation performs over time.
DC-3V-RS: Electrocorder DC-3V-RS DC Voltage Logger
Use for multi-channel DC voltage logging where current or power calculation is not required.
SR-1R: Electrocorder SR-1R Solar Irradiance Recorder
Use for solar irradiance-only logging where the light level needs to be recorded independently.
Quick comparison
Use this table as a quick route from the investigation type to the most likely logger.
| Product | Best for | Measures | Choose when |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC voltage, current, power and energy studies. | DC voltage, current, power and energy. | Use for battery, telecoms, renewable-energy and DC supply investigations. | |
| Comparing solar irradiance with PV output. | Solar irradiance and PV output proof. | Use when PV performance needs to be interpreted against available sunlight. | |
| Multi-channel DC voltage logging. | DC voltage. | Use when current or energy calculation is not required. | |
| Solar irradiance-only logging. | Solar irradiance. | Use when light level alone needs to be recorded independently. |
How to choose
- Choose DC-3VA when the investigation needs DC voltage, current, power or energy together.
- Choose PV-3 when PV output needs to be compared with solar irradiance.
- Choose DC-3V-RS when multi-channel DC voltage logging is enough and current or energy calculation is not required.
- Choose SR-1R when the requirement is irradiance-only logging.
Typical investigation workflow
- Define whether the main question is irradiance, PV output, DC voltage, DC current, battery behaviour or DC energy.
- Select a logger that matches the measurement type and expected voltage/current range.
- Record long enough to include representative weather, loading, charging or discharging conditions.
- Compare logger data with inverter, battery, control-system or site records where available.
- Use the proof to support maintenance, performance review, system design or customer reporting.
Useful reading
- Solar Photovoltaic Auditing
- Battery Storage Systems
- Battery Storage System Issues
- Energy Auditing
- Products by Use: solar PV, battery storage and DC systems
Need help choosing?
If you are not sure which solar or DC logger is best, contact us with the system type, measurement point, expected voltage/current range and whether irradiance, power or energy needs to be recorded.