# \[APP\]\[Pro\] Advanced Virtual Device (Device Capabilities App) with Unique Text Status Indicator

**URL:** <https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198>\
**Category:** Apps\
**Tags:** app, tools, virtual-device, device-capabilities, avd\
**Created:** [August 30, 2022, 7:24pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198 "2022-08-30T19:24:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 37

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**Author:** ![OH2TH](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/oh2th/32/111414_2.png) [@OH2TH](https://community.homey.app/u/OH2TH)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2025, 10:38am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/734 "2025-05-28T10:38:24Z")

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done

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**Author:** ![Magnus\_P](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/magnus_p/32/4344_2.png) [@Magnus\_P](https://community.homey.app/u/Magnus_P)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/735 "2025-05-28T18:56:44Z")

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Help needed !  
I want to create a Device for my solar panels to show up in Energy tab. I read here [Energy | Homey Apps SDK](https://apps.developer.homey.app/the-basics/devices/energy#solar-panels) about the capabilities but need some help to create such.

### 

Solar panels

Solar panels are a common device in Homey that can generate their own power. These devices must have the `solarpanel` device class.

The `measure_power` value should **positive** when generating power. When providing a negative value, e.g. `-13` watt, Homey assumes the solar panel is currently consuming instead of generating power.

In order for cumulative energy generation (kWh) to be tracked in _Energy_ the driver must have a `meter_power` capability that will be set to the total generated energy in kWh as a _positive_ value. Use the `meterPowerExportedCapability` energy property to configure a different `meter_power` capability for generated energy.

/drivers/\<driver\_id\>/driver.compose.json

Copy

```auto
{
  "name": { "en": "My Driver" },
  "images": {
    "small": "/drivers/my_driver/assets/images/small.png",
    "large": "/drivers/my_driver/assets/images/large.png"
  },
  "class": "solarpanel",
  "capabilities": ["measure_power", "meter_power"],
  "energy": {
    "meterPowerExportedCapability": "meter_power" // Optional: defaults to meter_power
  }
}

```

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/736 "2025-05-28T20:46:09Z")

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How about:  
Use device class “Wall plug” and use the “What’s plugged in” option to set it to Solar Panel.

 ![Screenshot_20250528_221316_Firefox](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/e/8/e84c9b66252c5c2cd9e780a69ac2670450ec86bb.jpeg)

 ![Screenshot_20250528_223951_Firefox](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/5/6/566ab27654b5f5beb38cbbdd426b1893948bf98a.jpeg)

Then use the Power and Energy capabilities for the AVD:

 ![Screenshot_20250528_223224_Firefox](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/b/4/b4ae28254f07d7008bc6c6a3bee8681dda96d114.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![DirkG](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/dirkg/32/118897_2.png) [@DirkG](https://community.homey.app/u/DirkG)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 7:44am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/737 "2025-05-29T07:44:12Z")

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Please check the section **Advanced Virtual Device** in my tutorial, how to create an Solar Panel AVD: [[Tutorial][Pro] How to integrate Hoymiles Microinverters via OpenDTU and MQTT](https://community.homey.app/t/tutorial-pro-how-to-integrate-hoymiles-microinverters-via-opendtu-and-mqtt/126892#p-589967-advanced-virtual-device-3)

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**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 12:26pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/738 "2025-06-06T12:26:53Z")

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@DirkG , @Peter_Kawa and @Magnus_P and everyone else.

I have just updated the Test Version [Device Capabilities Test](https://homey.app/a/nl.qluster-it.DeviceCapabilities/test/).

- **Added all classes and capabilities (ShowAs) dynamicly (in your own language).**
- Updated: Homey-api to 3.11.3.
- Cumulative is now a base device property and no longer a capability property.
- Added (the effect of the) option for cumulative for meter\_gas, meter\_water and meter\_power.
- Added cumulativeImportedCapability and cumulativeExportedCapability for meter\_power.

Meaning, there is a lott more possibilities now!  
Calsses and capabilities are generated on your Homey, based on the homey-lib npm package.  
So when new classes or capabilities become available, adding them will be easy.

The classes and capabilities that are available are only created when the App version changes, the Homey version changes, or when the language changes.

## Have fun people!

N.b. please note, under lists, there now is f.i. Color available. Use this in combination with Number light\_temperature, light\_saturation and light\_hue.  
N.b. there is still some new Energy stuff to implement (like for a car or battery). I’ll try to add that a.s.a.p.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/739 "2025-06-06T15:05:36Z")

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Very cool Arie, thank you!

I was still on v2.14.9, while v2.15.4 crashed continuously on both my Pro 2019’s.

Do or die: I’ve installed v2.16.0 on my 2nd Homey, and it now runs for a few hours without issues. Fingers crossed 🤸

A future request: is it possible to sort the capability and list dropdowns alphabetically? Starting below the “main” entries maybe?

 ![Screenshot_20250606_151925_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/3/8/3877a96311fdf1ecbb6e1ea78c7f81385e73268a.jpeg)

 ![Screenshot_20250606_151848_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/7/5/759e6f66912259a7f7a01a6ea9c1d0341455cf29.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DirkG](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/dirkg/32/118897_2.png) [@DirkG](https://community.homey.app/u/DirkG)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/740 "2025-06-06T15:19:15Z")

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Thx Arie!

I created a Smart Meter already with Power, Import and Export capabilities. The Import and Export capabilities are currently not yet displayed in the energy dashboard. But as far as I know, it may take a day for the data to be displayed.  
I will update you.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/741 "2025-06-06T16:18:49Z")

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> [@Peter\_Kawa](#):
>
> is it possible to sort the capability and list dropdowns alphabetically? Starting below the “main” entries maybe?

Well, they actually are sorted (after a few custom ones), but they are first sorted on display type (like Media, Slider, Button, etc) and then alphabetically (based on localized name).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 4:22pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/742 "2025-06-06T16:22:34Z")

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> [@DirkG](#):
>
> The Import and Export capabilities are currently not yet displayed in the energy dashboard

Yeah, i also had that. Also, some energy dashboard functions only show if you enable the Create Real Capability, while the new export and import should not have that enabled (you can only check Create real fields once for a specifiek ShowAs (yeah, i still need to make that clear by disabling the checkbox CreateRealField of thats already checked for another same capability)).

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/743 "2025-06-06T16:28:17Z")

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Oww now I see it 😬🫣😉

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/744 "2025-06-06T16:40:27Z")

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Hahaha  
Yeah well, since there are a lott of options now, grouping them seemed more handy.  
But lets see if user have good suggestions 😉

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**Author:** ![Frank\_Risch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/frank_risch/32/80319_2.png) [@Frank\_Risch](https://community.homey.app/u/Frank_Risch)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/745 "2025-06-06T17:22:40Z")

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Hi Ari,  
First thanks for your hard work.  
I’m trying to add a home battery to the Energytab. Would that be possible with the update?

Been trying for an hour without success.

My device has no meterPowerImportedCapability or Expoted.

Can you help me there?

Greeting

Frank

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/746 "2025-06-06T18:02:06Z")

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> [@Frank\_Risch](#):
>
> My device has no meterPowerImportedCapability or Expoted.

Yeah, this will be the next items i add. I didnt have time to finish those today.

So, while with the update you can select battery as device class, the meterpowerimported en exported functions are not yet available.  
But, they are coming real soon 😉

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Frank\_Risch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/frank_risch/32/80319_2.png) [@Frank\_Risch](https://community.homey.app/u/Frank_Risch)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/747 "2025-06-06T18:16:35Z")

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Thanks you then I’ll wait for the update.

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/748 "2025-06-06T19:23:25Z")

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😉 No it’s a good idea I think. I just didn’t discover the categories system on my own haha.

For the mobile app, I’d like to vote for a filter bar, with this pile of capabilities ☺. But I guess that’s on Athom’s end?

Mash up example:

 ![image880](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/e/9/e9099d541527d7b5646a60374d02af68e2440b8b.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/749 "2025-06-06T19:33:18Z")

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> [@Peter\_Kawa](#):
>
> I’d like to vote for a filter bar, with this pile of capabilities ☺

Yeah i know, its a lott right 😅  
Im actually thinking about a setting to only display the “old” capabilities for new users.  
I think when a completly new user starts his first AVD, the ShowAs lists are a bit impressive or steep learning curve 🤔

Or perhaps a short manual of explanations on the capabilities. The homey-lib generated capabilitirs have descriptions etc.

But yeah, a filter would also be handy 👍🏻

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/750 "2025-06-06T19:50:20Z")

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> [@Peter\_Kawa](#):
>
> I now can “recycle” many flows which are still being used to set the status field (with `0 some_text`) of many AVD’S 🙏

And just fyi: the last and also current testversion, have “deprecated” the special Status Indicator Field, since a text-field can be used as Status Indicator.  
At least, that was possible, but im not sure it currently works in web to show a text status?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/751 "2025-06-06T19:55:11Z")

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> [@Michael\_Fritzsche](#):
>
> When i try to set a value i get:  
> {“message”:“Capability Not Setable”}

Because some fields (sensors) are readonly, meaning a USER cannot set it through an action in the homey app (and thus also not through the homey-api setCapabilityValue).  
If you would use another type of field (a non sensor type), you would be able to set the value through the setCapabilityValue.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 8:01pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/752 "2025-06-06T20:01:02Z")

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> [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](#):
>
> but im not sure it currently works in web to show a text status

Yes this (finally) works now @ web app. I think Athom fixed it a few months ago

 ![Screenshot_20250606_215718_Firefox](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/b/6/b6005b480a6a87f9f03868010e58be6c3d21729d.jpeg)

 ![Screenshot_20250606_215846_Firefox](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/2/f/2f038d3f52b7249e159f51fbe97bbe7991059673.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DirkG](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/dirkg/32/118897_2.png) [@DirkG](https://community.homey.app/u/DirkG)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 10:35am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198/753 "2025-06-08T10:35:33Z")

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A short feedback on the new energy capabilities.  
It works as it should!

 ![Picsew_20250608123211](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/1/5/1574d5a70aab3c3130e960b16ec83780116474b0.jpeg)

Thx Arie!

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