Introduction
This guide describes how the My Data DIY (no-code possibilities) app connects to an MQTT Broker, discovers existing sensors using MQTT Discovery (Home Assistant protocol), and acquires data from them. This configuration method works with any edge or cloud-based MQTT Broker that stores devices' data, suitable for Home Assistant MQTT Discovery.
We have chosen SolarAssistant software, which has an edge-based MQTT Broker with solar energy data, available for easy integration with Home Assistant and other smart home systems/devices like LaMetric TIME and SKY using the Home Assistant MQTT Discovery protocol. After completing this guide, your LaMetric smart device will pull energy data from SolarAssistant's MQTT Broker and display it on the screen so you can enjoy it at a glance.
The image below demonstrates how the LaMetric device works with SolarAssistant:
To display data from your inverter, you need to configure two things: MQTT output and My Data DIY (no-code possibilities) app on your LaMetric device.
1. Enable MQTT output on your instance of SolarAssistant
1.1 Navigate to the "Configuration" tab of SolarAssistant and start MQTT:
1.2 Also determine the IP address of SolarAssistant on the "Configuration" tab.
2. Configure MyData DIY app on your LaMetric device
2.1 Choose MQTT Discovery type in the My Data DIY (no-code possibilities) app
2.2 In the MQTT Config option, enter Host and Port to connect to your SolarAssistant.
2.3 Find and select your device.
2.4 Make sure that the Connection is established.
2.5 Now you can create frames to show your data on LaMetric device. Here is an example:
Steps to select specific data values from SolarAssistant
Use the My Data DIY (no-code possibilities) app to design how your data will appear on the LaMetric device.
All data are selected and configured
2.6 SolarAssistant will monitor data from the inverter, and the LaMetric device will retrieve it via a configured MQTT topic.
SolarAssistant data visualization on the LaMetric TIME
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've successfully connected your LaMetric device to SolarAssistant's MQTT Broker with MQTT Discovery support and configured it to display real-time solar data. This setup allows you to monitor your solar system’s performance directly from your LaMetric device. Whether you're tracking energy production, battery state of charge or , this integration makes it straightforward and engaging. By following the same steps as with SolarAssistant, you can display other smart home data—such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and more—from any cloud or edge MQTT Broker that supports Home Assistant's MQTT Discovery protocol.
If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out—we're here to help!