Hi
yes i think it is a cool device and i have allready used it to test a number of thing including how good some batterys is that i have standing and i was then thinking of all your testing with batterys and solar power and i can only say get one i am sure you will love it.
i have not get the serial cable for it, so i have not jet trķed the software but i looks cool.
When your looking at them please note the limit in input volt as the 8500 i have is limit to 120V dc and i guess that you maybe need it to be high then that with solar panels in series and so on.
Hope you find one
Regards
Thomas