Energy management apparatus to upgrade and control an existing circuit breaker panel

The present invention is an apparatus, and related method, with embedded functionality allowing a user to monitor and control energy consumption, including hardware installed in addition to an existing circuit breaker panel. A preferred embodiment comprises a retrofitting apparatus that can be connected to an existing circuit breaker panel. The apparatus can be detachably connected to circuit breakers or a circuit breaker panel. The apparatus and related method allow remote control of, for example, a processor, controller, and/or node, so that a circuit and/or load on a premises connected to a node on the apparatus can be remotely turned on or off, or otherwise regulated. The nodes, connectors, or processors may communicate with a remote device, such as a phone, computer, laptop, tablet, or other communication or computing device.