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; Electronic transmitter and receiver equipment for providing voice and data communications between rural subscribers and Public Switched Telephone Network