Locus Energy Launches Two New Cellular Meters/Data-Loggers for Solar Monitoring Applications-the LGate 120 and LGate 320

HOBOKEN, N.J., Aug. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Locus Energy has launched the LGate 120 and 320 -- its next generation of smart meters designed to allow solar installers and asset managers to more easily collect, monitor and analyze performance data from both residential and light commercial solar PV systems.

Together with Locus Energy's web-based SolarOS monitoring platform, the new meters enable solar fleet operators to efficiently gather data for troubleshooting, asset optimization and performance guarantee/billing functions. The LGate 120 and 320 have the following features:

• ANSI C12.20 class 20 revenue-grade power-meter – form 2S single-phase for the 120 and form 16S polyphase for the 320
• Integrated 3G GSM cellular modem and Ethernet connectivity
• Lower/higher bandwidth settings to optimize cellular data cost
• Rich data set collected: kWh, kW, amperage, voltage, power factor and frequency in 5 minute increments
• Installation in less than 30 minutes
• Inverter-direct communication and fault detection supported for major brands of inverters
• Plug and play connectivity with over-the-air firmware upgrades
• Option for embedded Zigbee radio

Until recently, cellular socket meters available for PV monitoring have been mainly repurposed utility meters, which have focused on consumption and demand as opposed to the PV industry's requirements.  The LGate 120 and 320 are the first cellular smart meters designed specifically to measure the performance of PV installations. Both units can communicate directly with inverters to collect additional AC and DC data points as well as fault code information, which is key to lowering O&M costs over a fleet of systems.  In addition, the new meters can plug directly into local area networks via Ethernet when the cellular signal is not strong enough at a given location.

"These meter/data-loggers have been designed based on feedback from leading providers of residential and commercial PV systems who have installed over 25,000 Locus monitoring devices to-date," said Michael Herzig, CEO & Founder of Locus Energy.  "The market has expressed a clear preference for a low-cost, feature-rich and easy to install meter that can be installed on many different types of PV systems.  We're excited at the opportunity to fulfill this need and contribute to the next wave of growth of the distributed solar market."

The LGate 120 and 320 will be available in early Q4.  Please visit www.locusenergy.com for more information.

About Locus Energy
Locus Energy develops web-based asset management software for renewable energy systems.  We provide monitoring, analytics and data services for deployments of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technology. By leveraging Locus' products, renewable finance companies and integrators can drive down the cost and complexity of energy monitoring while making it much easier to maintain and service an installed client base. Founded in 2007, Locus has offices in New Jersey and San Francisco, and monitors over 25,000 PV arrays worldwide.

Contact: Susannah Callahan, 201-465-8006, [email protected]

SOURCE Locus Energy