Electronic apparatus for the remote control of industrial operations; computer hardware and recorded software for use in data collection, control and communications in the industrial and manufacturing industries; computer hardware and recorded software for use in data collection and control, communications and data exchange, electronic meter reading, off-site meter reading, and meter data recorders in the utilities and energy industries; electronic devices for automatic meter reading in utilities and energy industries; downloadable computer software and software platform accessed via general types of communication networks for collecting, analyzing, integrating, reporting, forecasting, and billing water, gas, electricity, and energy-related data and for managing energy costs and uses in an easy-to-understand user interface; downloadable computer software for billing customer accounts, managing utility meters and equipment, and scheduling customer orders; computer peripheral devices and recorded computer software for activating, modifying, controlling and communication with utilities systems and energy equipment; recorded computer communications software and hardware for connecting computer network users and Intranet and Extranet networks; downloadable computer software for load management and demand response; recorded computer software for scheduling, assigning, dispatching and monitoring field operations for the utilities and energy industries; downloadable computer software for interfacing and communicating with other sets of computer programs in the field of energy management; electronic peripheral devices and downloadable software for monitoring and forecasting power production in the photovoltaic system