Greetings, fellow smart home enthusiasts! I wanted to share a project I’ve been working on to monitor our solar panel output. It’s a simple yet effective setup that I’ve integrated into my Home Assistant environment. I hope this might inspire others or provide a solution for those looking to optimize their energy usage.A few years back, I developed a Python script running on a Raspberry Pi to monitor our solar panels. The script listens to our P1 electricity meter and controls an LED’s color and brightness based on whether we’re exporting or importing power. Green means we’re producing more than we need, while red indicates we’re drawing from the grid. The brightness adjusts to show how much power is being exported or imported.Now that I’ve transitioned to Home Assistant, I wanted to replicate this functionality without relying on an additional Raspberry Pi. After some research, I found that using ESPHome with an ESP32 module and a simple RGB LED strip was the perfect solution. It’s low power, compact, and integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant.Here’s how I set it up:- Hardware: ESP32 module, RGB LED strip, and a small power supply.- Software: ESPHome for configuration and integration with Home Assistant.- Integration: Connected the setup to Home Assistant using MQTT for real-time updates.The LED strip is placed in our hallway, making it easy to glance at our energy status throughout the day. It’s been a game-changer for us, allowing us to adjust our energy consumption habits without constantly checking apps or dashboards.I’d love to hear from others who have implemented similar solutions or have ideas for improvements. Whether it’s optimizing the LED control logic or suggesting alternative hardware, your insights are invaluable!Cheers to smarter energy usage and happy tinkering! 
