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

Kernel_Sanders

Not sure about that, tunnel. I can't see them becoming viable for domestic PV because there are only a few weeks in the year when production exceeds that which can already be stored in IHs and storage heaters.

tunnel

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Not sure about that, tunnel. I can't see them becoming viable for domestic PV because there are only a few weeks in the year when production exceeds that which can already be stored in IHs and storage heaters.

I appreciate what your saying KS....but.....your making a very big assumption that most people with PV have an IH or storage heaters. I think you'll find that most have combi boilers and that at least most days they export something, possibly even in the depths of winter(pretty certain I do).
I'd expect a good proportion actually aren't in to make the most of the sun when it shines, relying on timer switches such as optiplugs to turn on white goods in the middle of the day and that's if they trust them to do so.

orrery

I'm not sure where this storage technology is going to come from over the next couple of years. Battery technology is being heavily developed for electric cars, but hasn't shown that much progress really. And we'd need real volume there to get the prices down, and there is no sign of that either.

The simple storage solutions, like fitting a solar immersion box, seem fairly hard to justify on cost grounds alone.

nobby1963

nobby1963 wrote: »

Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this situation ....
Our system was installed 2 years + ago! we have a Sunny Beam monitor in our lounge and still take great joy at our real time generation stats especially on sunny days !
When it comes to submitting our FIT readings each quarter I have always read the actual generation meter it's self but this has always matched our Sunny Beams total generation reading.
That was until this reading - due on 3rd March. Turns out our Sunny Beam is now reading about 30 units higher than the generation meter !
I have now been in touch with our installer and he has kindly fitted us a second temporary generation meter running in 'tandem' with our original with the intention of making sure that the original is not under reading our generation.
I was suprised when I contacted them though and they told me that it would not be unusual for the Sunny Beam ( which takes its info via Bluetooth direct from the Sunny Boy inverter ) to not be entirely accurate ?
They were very suprised when I said that both readings had always matched up to this quarter.
Can anyone else with a Sunny Beam give me their experience please ?
I will find it a tad frustrating if the two don't match and I am no longer able to trust the Sunny Beam
Thanks in advance ......
Nobby.

Legoman62 replied;

I have an SMA SB3800 invertor. I also had a Sunny Beam monitor which I used to check generation. After 3/4 months I noticed that the generation meter was reading lower than the SB. The SB readings were 1% higher than actual generation. I rang SMA and explained this to them and was told, that the reading could be out by 1% and "the piece of kit in the invertor that measures generation only costs about 10p" whereas a generation meter costs about £20.00.

I decided to sell my S/B monitor, and find something that was more accurate (Wattson)

I still monitor my PV using Sunny Explorer on my PC but, know my readings are 1% higher than true.
You can reset your Invertor to the correct reading (I do this periodically) using your PC


Hi legoman,
Long story short ..... Can you tell me how to ' re-sync' my inverter / sunny beam output reading with my FIT meter reading please ?
You say it can be done via the PC , I have my laptop connected via Bluetooth to my inverter but can see how it's done.
Thanks in advance
Nobby.

legoman62

nobby1963 wrote: »

Legoman62 replied;

I have an SMA SB3800 invertor. I also had a Sunny Beam monitor which I used to check generation. After 3/4 months I noticed that the generation meter was reading lower than the SB. The SB readings were 1% higher than actual generation. I rang SMA and explained this to them and was told, that the reading could be out by 1% and "the piece of kit in the invertor that measures generation only costs about 10p" whereas a generation meter costs about £20.00.

I decided to sell my S/B monitor, and find something that was more accurate (Wattson)

I still monitor my PV using Sunny Explorer on my PC but, know my readings are 1% higher than true.
You can reset your Invertor to the correct reading (I do this periodically) using your PC


Hi legoman,
Long story short ..... Can you tell me how to ' re-sync' my inverter / sunny beam output reading with my FIT meter reading please ?
You say it can be done via the PC , I have my laptop connected via Bluetooth to my inverter but can see how it's done.
Thanks in advance
Nobby.

Nobby,

With Sunny Explorer open on your PC.
Highlight red invertor icon.
Go into settings from top and then AC side.
This should show the total yield.
Click on edit to change.
Then on Save

I normally re-sync once a month:D

lstar337

I've just moved into a new rental property with PV panels on the roof. I don't know much about the system except what I have seen myself.

The are only six panels, so I assume it is a fairly small system. Looking in the loft, I have a Samil Power Inverter (Solar River), probably a 1600TL going by the number of panels. I have a generation meter downstairs which tells me very little, only generated units in fact.

Looking at the details of the inverter, I can use an RS232 cable to pull stats from the inverter using SamilPower's own SolarBrowser software, this is the next step for me.

If anybody can shed any light on my system and help me make the most of it, I would be grateful.

The landlord collects the FIT, so I'm only interested in making the most of the generated power.

Thanks.

nigelpm

lstar337 wrote: »

I have a generation meter downstairs which tells me very little, only generated units in fact.


Thanks.

Actually that is your holy grail!!

There will be a flashing red light which flashes every time a watt is generated.

The best advice is to make use of the electricity when this light is flashing - ultimately, when you can then take advantage of the electricity.

lstar337

nigelpm wrote: »

Actually that is your holy grail!!

There will be a flashing red light which flashes every time a watt is generated.

The best advice is to make use of the electricity when this light is flashing - ultimately, when you can then take advantage of the electricity.

It does indeed have a little flashing light, but as a self confessed geek, I need more than that!

Hopefully when I get to interrogate the inverter I will be able to get some much better information.

With only six panels what am I likely to generate? I am just outside Glastonbury, south facing, panels are at roof pitch (about 40 degrees).

I haven't seen much on this thread about my inverter, but it seems to get good reviews on-line, especially about its efficiency.

groovyf

May as well assume the panels are at a minimum 250w each, so the 6 would total a 1.5kW system. (However, with only space for 6, the landlord may have opted for higher-rated ones - I believe 327W panels are available).
May be worth simply asking the landlord what he had installed.

Once you get a cable hooked up to the inverter (for a start, anyway...), you may be able to pull out peak generation statistics, which would give a reasonable idea as to the actual system size.

nigelpm

Given it's a 1600w inverter I'd say it's highly likely there are 6 x 250w panels being 1500w.

Other than making use of high consuming electrical appliances when the sun is out just enjoy the fact that you have some free electricity and haven't had to pay for it!