PlugCheck is no longer accepting PAT testing bookings. Former customers can still contact me about previous work.

My next project:
Solar Outlook.

I’m Simon, the person behind PlugCheck PAT Testing. These days I’m working on a different way to understand an electrical setup: a solar forecast and monitoring app for life off grid.

Solar Outlook brings together the sunlight available at a location, the weather ahead and readings from compatible equipment. It’s made for people using solar power in campervans, boats and other smaller off-grid systems.

A clearer idea of the days ahead

Solar power can vary sharply between a clear summer day and a cloudy winter stop. Solar Outlook uses the sun’s position, local terrain and forecast weather to estimate what your panels could generate. You can explore another location as well as the place where you are parked.

It helps you plan when to use power and understand why one day’s harvest differs from another. Trees, buildings, panel conditions and local shading still affect the energy you actually collect.

Understand the equipment you already have

The project started with Victron equipment, including a SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 solar charger and a Phoenix 12/1200 inverter. Seeing solar input, battery voltage and inverter readings together makes it easier to follow what a system is doing.

Work now includes other Victron readers and Bluetooth battery BMS types. Exact models, phone platforms and connection methods have different levels of support. The Solar Outlook device catalogue sets out the hardware-tested, beta, experimental and planned readers.

A small bridge, and a view from your computer

An ESP32-based M5Stack can stay with a system, read compatible equipment and keep a log while a phone is away. With Wi-Fi and a linked account, it can upload readings for remote viewing. The Solar Outlook ESP32 bridge remains a beta project, with model-specific testing in progress.

The website dashboard gives those uploaded readings more room. Sign in with the email linked in the updated app to explore your systems, view history graphs and download readings. You can try an example dashboard before signing in.

Practical guides for building a system

Alongside the app, I’ve put together UK guides to choosing solar panels, leisure batteries, MPPT controllers, chargers and cabling. They explain the trade-offs, link to sources and include calculators for comparing energy needs and costs.

Browse the solar equipment guides

Solar Outlook is an independent project. Experimental device readers and online features can differ from the current store release. See the device catalogue and app for current availability.