I’ve been using a Raspberry Pi with a custom energy monitoring setup. It’s more work up front, but it gives you total control over how you track and analyze the data. You can build a dashboard that’s tailored exactly to what you want to see. Happy to share my code if you want to go that route!

Totally worth it if you’re willing to put in the time! Automating basic stuff like lighting and temperature can save energy and add convenience. Start small and expand as you go. Just make sure to keep a consistent ecosystem (like sticking with all Zigbee or Z-Wave devices) to avoid compatibility issues.

If they have IT infrastructure, consider integrating the EMS with their existing building management system (BMS). That way, you can have things like HVAC and lighting work in tandem with the battery storage. I’d also suggest looking into modular battery packs—they make future expansions easier.

If they’re tech-savvy, building a system with individual LiFePO4 modules and a smart inverter can be cost-effective. They can set up a small monitoring system using an Arduino to track usage and health. Might be a bit of a project, but worth it in the long run.