AI for Home Solar+Storage — Do We Need This?

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I saw this story pop up about an AI-powered home solar-plus-storage system, and I thought, is this just AI buzzword use gone overboard? I mean, what is AI needed for in home solar+storage systems?

The software solution from Imeon Energy, combined with its Neo hybrid inverter, does actually look useful, though. “The Neo range, aimed at residential users, features an energy management system that enables real-time optimization of solar energy generation and consumption,” pv magazine summarizes. “The new system uses Imeon’s predictive learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to constantly arbitrate battery management based on weather forecasts and user consumption habits, optimizing energy use.”

Well, that does look useful, doesn’t it? Paying attention to your habits, the weather, and electricity prices — smart. Is that really what we want to refer to as AI, though? It’s smart software, but it’s not JARVIS.

In any case, Imeon Energy claims that it is selling “the world’s only connected and intelligent hybrid solar inverters.”

“The IMEON smart inverter integrates in a single box the functions of MPPT solar charger, bi-directional inverter, On Grid and Off Grid inverter as well as a powerful latest generation processor.”

The company does also claim that the AI evolves. “The artificial intelligence integrated into your IMEON allows it to evolve in line with current and future technological developments: new batteries, connected objects, electric mobility, etc.” Hmm…. Does that just mean that it can be used with different technologies? Well, evolving does sound better.

I should note that this is a French company, and the product seems to be available in a half dozen or so European markets.

The inverter comes in five sizes, with power output ranging from 3 kW to 6 kW. It can manage solar arrays ranging from 2 kW up to 9 kW.