# Noob question: why does "solar" stay empty **URL:** \ **Category:** Energy\ **Created:** [February 14, 2025, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601 "2025-02-14T14:04:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/1 "2025-02-14T14:04:39Z")
Here is my Energy tab on my phone: ![1000122179](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/b/a/baf7d140a09b04796de5383835589aaf5b1afb6a.jpeg) It does not show a value for solar energy generated by my PV panels. But I do have an inverter and it is generating energy: ![1000122180](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/5/d/5d257fa15e7d36d6ff363ce3737116f479ba9040.jpeg) I checked setting, but have no idea how to include the Solis generation in the Energy settings. What am I missing here? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![RonnyW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ronnyw/32/10879_2.png) [@RonnyW](https://community.homey.app/u/RonnyW)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/2 "2025-02-14T14:39:19Z")
> [@Eternity](#): > > What am I missing here? Does your solar device provide a `meter_power` capability? This is needed to get the kWh data. ---
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/3 "2025-02-14T14:55:42Z")
> [@RonnyW](#): > > Does your solar device provide a `meter_power` capability? This is needed to get the kWh data. Thanks! Seems it doesn’t: ![Scherm­afbeelding 2025-02-14 om 16.07.41](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/c/a/cadd0d0a8a4445691e710e8e842b2706fbe81422.png) I have contacted the developer @Kim_Kokholm via his App page. ---
**Author:** ![RonnyW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ronnyw/32/10879_2.png) [@RonnyW](https://community.homey.app/u/RonnyW)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/4 "2025-02-14T16:25:51Z")
If the inverter does not provide a power meter, you can use the PowerByTheHour app instead. ---
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/5 "2025-02-14T19:03:28Z")
I have PBTH installed and it is already linked to the PV Inverter. How do I link PBTH to Solar in the Energy tab? ---
**Author:** ![RonnyW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ronnyw/32/10879_2.png) [@RonnyW](https://community.homey.app/u/RonnyW)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/6 "2025-02-14T19:05:48Z")
It must have “solarpanel” as device class. Don’t know if PBTH allows to change device class. ---
**Author:** ![Kim\_Kokholm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/kim_kokholm/32/91519_2.png) [@Kim\_Kokholm](https://community.homey.app/u/Kim_Kokholm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 2:13pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/7 "2025-02-15T14:13:44Z")
New version is out for testing. ---
**Author:** ![Kim\_Kokholm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/kim_kokholm/32/91519_2.png) [@Kim\_Kokholm](https://community.homey.app/u/Kim_Kokholm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 2:15pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/8 "2025-02-15T14:15:07Z")
BTW! Do you also get suggestion in the “Power ups” section regarding “energy dongle” and “where to buy solarpanels” EVEN when you have Solar-panels and a Energy Dongle already installed 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 2:15pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/9 "2025-02-15T14:15:18Z")
Thanks @Kim_Kokholm Installed the new version Removed the device Re added the inverter Device works Unfortunately, not reporting in Energy: ![1000122212](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/8/5/85a82e4bcc9d2862e2363f4e5b1787327608324e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/11 "2025-02-15T14:17:46Z")
> [@Kim\_Kokholm](#): > > TW! Do you also get suggestion in the “Power ups” section regarding “energy dongle” and “where to buy solarpanels” EVEN when you have Solar-panels and a Energy Dongle already installed 🙂 Yes I do! ---
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/12 "2025-02-15T14:31:42Z")
![1000122213](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/8/6/868f8091ac948f4bcee6a9f58b8d3f878768c3f4.jpeg) Perhaps a repost (lost the other one) In the Energy tab I do see a yellow animation showing power from the PV panels into the house. It doesn’t show in the value a bit higher in the Energy tab. Perhaps tomorrow once net power is registered. Thanks for the swift response! ---
**Author:** ![Kim\_Kokholm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/kim_kokholm/32/91519_2.png) [@Kim\_Kokholm](https://community.homey.app/u/Kim_Kokholm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/13 "2025-02-15T15:27:59Z")
I have no solution for this. I’ve tried switching from a borrowed account and my own solar (not solis) and its kinda bugged for me. Maybe it will settle… ---
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/14 "2025-02-15T17:16:21Z")
Thanks for the effort! ---
**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:** [February 15, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/15 "2025-02-15T20:06:05Z")
Afaik the daily value doesn’t show right away, but starts showing the next day. It has to calc a daily use value first. Something like that. I’ve read it somewhere at the forum ---
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 1:48pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/16 "2025-02-16T13:48:13Z")
Patience is not one of my strengths 😅 The graph shows PV production, but I bet still some calculation is happening under the hood. ![1000122262](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/1/1/11a81efe8e0f8804c34f0c36e37b695b55c550a7.jpeg) Let’s see what happens the next weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://community.homey.app/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/17 "2025-02-16T20:27:23Z")
Hello, I used to have a similar issue with my solars, but probably for other reasons than you. I resolved it by doing the following: 1. Create a Virtual device with device class Solar panel (I named it Solceller) 2. Added a Power by the Hour app for the virtual device called Solceller. 3. Created a flow when PV input changes from my original solar app (Growatt + Modbus TCP), it pushes currentsPV W to measure\_power and todays kWh use from PBTH to meter\_power. This workaround has worked well for me, hope it can be useful for you as well. ![IMG_4638](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/f/f/ffc432f7c4a154d6f3d2f7c9bcba18cb0b11c910.png) ![IMG_4639](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/3/2/32e8b043eb3845165500b046a4cef7c8f12e887b.jpeg) ![IMG_4640](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/e/4/e491bce9bde8c00a859ce2517356de8b04100024.png) ---
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/18 "2025-02-16T22:10:44Z")
Interesting! Will try that tomorrow! ---
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2025, 10:56am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/19 "2025-02-17T10:56:25Z")
Tried your suggestion @Hass Added the VD (ZD - AVD 13): ![Scherm­afbeelding 2025-02-17 om 11.39.24](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/1/d/1d2e042d7f7b1805e721cde20657625a0435f92c.png) and set the capability as “Solar panel”. Next step was adding the PBTH device, that was not a problem. However, it does not show the created VD to be added as source: ![Scherm­afbeelding 2025-02-17 om 11.55.58](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/d/3/d338a884a6f1035c5179df05b97f17b2ce3bea1b.jpeg) What am I doing wrong here? ---
**Author:** ![Hass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Hass](https://community.homey.app/u/Hass)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2025, 1:19pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/20 "2025-02-17T13:19:35Z")
Ah sorry, the app I use is Virtual devices. You can do the following after installing the app: 1. Create a Device. 2. Add name and image. 3. Select device class as Solar Panel. 4. Add both Power meter and Power. 5. Add a PBTH device with Energy summary for the device you just created. 6. Change the settings for the PBTH device to have source as Watt. 7. Create a flow similar to my last post to update the Power and Meter power values and you should be ready to go. ![IMG_4641](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/f/3/f30a81f050596164dfb17fa9282692b44d988fbe.jpeg) ![IMG_4642](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/f/e/fe72407d86bcf68d26380040c2b928de970a7e1e.jpeg) ![IMG_4643](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/6/1/61866f9b586478e583b250d5b1bff08a2aaaa82a.jpeg) ![IMG_4646](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/d/6/d628aab30caae7ca139e9b6e7fb6d20458ee985d.jpeg) ![IMG_4648](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/1/c/1cdddb8e0d30fe3c237fa896aeb32f74239e6879.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Eternity](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/eternity/32/102113_2.png) [@Eternity](https://community.homey.app/u/Eternity)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601/21 "2025-02-17T13:36:23Z")
Thank you for the extra information! Really useful! I now see a value in the Energy tab (albeit still zero). ![1000122316](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/1/e/1e0163431cc09639e3cfa16972a24e39ec1c8113.jpeg) Guess it will update soon. [Next page](https://community.homey.app/t/noob-question-why-does-solar-stay-empty/130601.md?page=2)