Need to be able to switch on and off 12 solenoids...while keeping the existing s

I figured it wouldn't be too difficult... I was wondering, instead of locating the arduino in the basement if I could replace one of the 12 position panels with it? That essentially has the same connections I would be adding in the basement. I'd obviously need to provide more details once I move in of course, but do you have any suggestions on monitoring whether or not a light is on? I guess you'd have to do something with the line voltage to see if the solenoid is providing the load power or not, I dunno.