SEPT Logo

We Make Solar Smart and Safe

Making Solar Energy Safer, Smarter & More Sustainable

SEPT delivers intelligent rapid shutdown compliance and real-time fault detection through Solar Sense — the all-in-one device that protects solar systems while maximizing performance.

The Challenge

Firefighters and regulators in 12+ countries require Rapid Shutdown for solar systems. Yet solar owners struggle to stay both compliant and efficient — existing solutions force a difficult choice between safety and performance monitoring.

Our Solution

Solar Sense bridges this gap with an intelligent device that collects real-time data from each solar panel and applies machine learning to detect faults such as shading, hotspots, and degradation.

Adama Toure and Jordan Harris-Toovy - SEPT Co-Founders

SEPT Co-Founders

Adama Toure & Jordan Harris-Toovy

Our Story

From Research Lab to Market:
The SEPT Journey

Follow our path from an NSF research program in Denmark to building award-winning solar monitoring technology. Through 4 prototypes, 4 startup programs, and 3 competitions, we've discovered what the solar industry really needs.

2023
Started in Denmark
4
Prototypes Built
🏆
InventOR Winner
12+
Major Milestones
NSF Program in Denmark
Prototype 1
Prototype 2
Catalyze Klamath
IdeaFest Demo 1
IdeaFest Demo 2
InventOR Winners
InventOR Demo
Prototype 3 - Solar Sense
American-Made Solar Prize
VertueLab 45Camp
TiE XL Bootcamp
Prototype 4
Dashboard Prototype 1
Dashboard Prototype 2
OEN Angel Oregon
Janus Innovation Hub

Scroll to explore our journey

Why Choose Solar Sense?

The all-in-one solution that empowers solar system owners, operators, and installers with compliance, intelligence, and peace of mind.

Code-Compliant Safety

⚡ Required in 12+ Countries

NEC 690.12 compliant rapid shutdown protects first responders and meets mandatory regulations in the US and beyond.

Maximize Energy Production

🔍 Catch Problems Early

AI detects issues the moment they affect output — fix small problems before costly repairs.

Instant alerts on underperformance
Maintain peak ROI
Extend system lifespan

Safety & Monitoring in One Device

💰 Cut Installation & Maintenance Costs

Why pay for separate systems? Solar Sense combines both in one affordable device.

Lower equipment costs
Simpler installation
Single vendor support

Protect Your Investment

🛡️ Prevent Costly Failures

Early detection prevents thousands in repair costs and lost production.

Avoid panel replacements
Reduce emergency service calls
Maintain warranty coverage
Introducing Solar Sense

One Device. Complete Protection.

Solar Sense is a low-cost, wireless device that ensures compliance with the latest NEC Rapid Shutdown requirements while enabling precise fault detection and performance monitoring at the panel level.

Solar Sense on Solar Panel
Solar Sense
Module-Level Power Electronics (MLPE)
Active
Monitoring
Protected
Plug & Play Fail Safe Device

Key Features

⚡ Rapid Shutdown

Disconnects its host panel in a fraction of a second, ensuring NEC compliance and protecting first responders during emergencies.

🔍 Health Monitoring

Built-in sensors continuously collect voltage, current, and temperature data to evaluate the health of the solar cell and detect early-stage degradation.

📱 Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts

An intuitive mobile or web app displays real-time performance for each panel and sends automatic notifications when issues arise — enabling quick, informed maintenance decisions.

Unlike other systems that require multiple devices or complex wiring, Solar Sense combines everything into a single, smart, plug-and-play module suitable for both residential and commercial solar installations.

How Solar Sense Works

Solar Sense is a self-powered, module-level power electronic (MLPE) device composed of two main systems that work together to ensure both safety and intelligence.

System 1

Rapid Shutdown Mode

SEPT Ecosystem - Rapid Shutdown

The rapid shutdown mode is the safety heart of Solar Sense, designed to protect first responders and property during emergencies.

Emergency Response
Responds to emergency commands instantly
Auto-Detection
Automatically detects hazardous conditions
Instant Shutdown
Disconnects panels within seconds to stop power flow
NEC 690.12 Compliant
System 2

Digital Twin ML Based Monitoring

ML Based Fault Detection

The digital twin machine learning module is the intelligence core, continuously monitoring and analyzing panel performance to predict and prevent issues.

Continuous Monitoring
Monitors electrical and thermal data 24/7
Digital Twin
Creates a physics-informed model of each solar cell
Early Detection
Detects shading, soiling, and degradation before damage
AI-Powered Intelligence

The Complete Process

1

Data Collection

Sensors collect voltage, current, and temperature from each panel

2

AI Analysis

Machine learning models analyze data patterns and predict issues

3

Alert & Monitor

Real-time alerts sent to mobile app for immediate action

4

Auto Protect

Automatic shutdown triggered during emergencies or hazards

The Result

By combining these functions, Solar Sense transforms traditional solar panels into intelligent, self-aware energy units capable of ensuring both compliance and reliability — making solar energy truly resilient and future-proof.

Our Mission

Making Solar Systems Safer, Smarter, and More Sustainable

"To make solar energy systems safer, smarter, and more sustainable through intelligent sensing and machine learning, ensuring every solar panel operates at peak efficiency while protecting people, property, and the planet."

Our Goals

Make Solar Safer

Ensure every solar installation meets rapid shutdown safety standards to protect people and property.

Make Solar Smarter

Integrate real-time monitoring and ML-based diagnostics to detect shading, hotspots, and degradation before performance loss occurs.

Meet the Team

Two engineers on a mission to revolutionize solar energy through intelligent technology and innovation.

Adama Toure

Adama Toure

Founder, Renewable Energy and ML Engineer

adama.toure@sept.energy

Adama is a Renewable Energy Engineer and participant in the NSF 2023 Innovator Program. He conducted research at Aalborg University focused on PV degradation and fault detection in used solar panels. His work led to the development of a physics-informed machine learning model that creates a digital twin of a solar cell — the foundation of Solar Sense.

NSF 2023 Innovator Program
Research at Aalborg University
ML Model Developer
Jordan Harris-Toovy

Jordan Harris-Toovy

Co-Founder, Electrical Engineer

jordan.harris-toovy@sept.energy

Jordan is an Electrical Engineer with expertise in sensor design, PCB layout, electronics manufacturing, and embedded programming. He co-founded SEPT to apply his experience in advanced sensing technologies to the solar industry, driving the creation and refinement of Solar Sense prototypes.

Sensor Design Expert
PCB & Electronics Manufacturing
Embedded Programming

Our Vision for the Future

At SEPT, we believe that the future of solar energy lies in systems that are intelligent, self-aware, and safe by design.

Enabling a New Generation of Smart Solar

🛡️
Protect lives and property
Advanced safety systems that respond in real-time
Maximize power output
Optimize performance through continuous monitoring
🔄
Extend asset lifespan
Detect issues early to prevent costly damage
♻️
Prevent premature waste
Reduce decommissioning of salvageable panels
Our Vision

A sustainable solar ecosystem where every panel can monitor, report, and protect itself — making solar energy truly resilient and future-proof.

By merging rapid shutdown compliance with real-time diagnostics, we are enabling smart solar systems that work harder, last longer, and deliver more value to their owners.

Development Progress

Our team has built and tested four generations of Solar Sense prototypes, guided by continuous feedback from PV system owners, installers, and industry experts.

Optimized ML model for fault detection
4 prototype generations tested
🏆
InventOR 2024 Recognition
🚀
Pilot project in preparation

Ready to Make Your Solar Installation Smarter?

Whether you're a solar developer, researcher, installer, or potential partner, we'd love to hear from you and explore collaboration opportunities.

Location

Portland, Oregon, USA

Try Our Tool

Build and train your own Neural Network

Follow Us