So now I have a solar PV system how do I make the most of it???

sly_dog_jonah

seagull09 wrote: »

On a different subject (and really the one of this thread!): anyone know of the most reliable meter for reading PV generation and exporting data to PC - preferably without having to leave computer running all the time? The OptiSmart looked good but currently not available. I don't really need to see consumption data, just generation would be handy.

Take a look a the GEO SoloPV. They are around £150 and sit a sensor over the flashing LED on the generation meter. Logs to SD card and shows real-time power output. Put SD card in PC/Mac to upload to a website, then you can download daily totals and intra-day generation in CSV format.

I've posted about it previously on this thread, do a search for my username in the thread tools.

GaryMo_2

don0301 wrote: »

Export tariff is 50% of 3.1p, 1.55p

I know it's the same result but the working out of deemed export where a SMART meter isn't installed to accurately measure export is 50% of total generated kWh multiplied by 3.1p

GaryMo_2

sly_dog_jonah wrote: »

Take a look a the GEO SoloPV. They are around £150 and sit a sensor over the flashing LED on the generation meter. Logs to SD card and shows real-time power output. Put SD card in PC/Mac to upload to a website, then you can download daily totals and intra-day generation in CSV format.

I also use a GEO Solo PV and find it to be an excellent piece of kit. Not cheap but I would miss it if it were not sat on my desk.

larkim

don0301 wrote: »

Export tariff is 50% of 3.1p, 1.55p

Feb i generated 286.9 kWh

and it's 43.3p

Doh!! That's what you get when you don't care about the FIT payments (given that I don't get them!) - plus I can't tell Jan from Feb (I used your Jan data, didn't I!) I had 41p hardwired into my head, and 0.3p I knew at the end! :embarasse

don0301 wrote: »

not much of an accountant then

That's what my boss says...

don0301

larkim wrote: »

Doh!! That's what you get when you don't care about the FIT payments (given that I don't get them!) - plus I can't tell Jan from Feb (I used your Jan data, didn't I!) I had 41p hardwired into my head, and 0.3p I knew at the end! :embarasse




That's what my boss says...

hehe, you were just testing me really

think you used Dec

sly_dog_jonah

GaryMo wrote: »

I also use a GEO Solo PV and find it to be an excellent piece of kit. Not cheap but I would miss it if it were not sat on my desk.

It's not cheap you're right, but it's a fair bit less than some of the Bluetooth pieces of kit that inverter manufacturers flog. It's also got the advantage that you can easily attach it retrospectively to an installation. Key things for me were the real-time display of accurate power output so we can determine when to turn on appliances, and the logging abilities.

Just don't disconnect the power supply accidentally because the display eats through batteries, even with the shortest sleep setting.

GaryMo_2

sly_dog_jonah wrote: »

Just don't disconnect the power supply accidentally because the display eats through batteries, even with the shortest sleep setting.

I read somewhere that you should only install batteries for remote operation and under normal fixed locations you should use the supplied power supply only without batteries installed.
Can't remember where though!

KevinG

seagull09 wrote: »

Well it's turned out rubbish here yet again, after a lovely clear night and a clear morning, it went dark and grey at about 10.45 this morning, just as the sun was coming round onto my panels.

Sorry to hear that. We had the best day for many months (Sussex), lovely and sunny, 8.08kWh (2kWp). Tomorrow looking pretty good at the moment then it takes a turn for the worse.

Martyn1981

Still being relatively new to this game of 'what's the system doing?'. I was surprised to get a solid 250W when fog visibility was down to about 30m, first thing this morning, about the worst I've seen for years. Then 450/500W when fog was 50m+.

Not complaining, just surprised. These panels do try their best. The little engines that can!

Mart.

sly_dog_jonah

GaryMo wrote: »

I read somewhere that you should only install batteries for remote operation and under normal fixed locations you should use the supplied power supply only without batteries installed.
Can't remember where though!

Don't think the manual says that. It says batteries are a backup but shouldn't be relied upon for anything more than short periods.