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

stoozey

themaverick1953 wrote: »

Where can I get one of these monitors? Are they expensive to fir?

Not exactly. I have one of the meters and they only work until your generation is more than your current useage. When this happens they cant cope.

For example when my panels are producing at 3KW and im only using 1kw I have a surplus of 2KW but the meter says im consuming 3KW.

They cant take into account the direction of current flow

energysavingexp

Best day yet 27.5Kw today and its still making 300w right now:j
total gen in 5 days 102.6Kw
leccy meter gone back from 72598.1 5days ago to 72542.3:beer:

zeupater

stoozey wrote: »

Not exactly. I have one of the meters and they only work until your generation is more than your current useage. When this happens they cant cope.

For example when my panels are producing at 3KW and im only using 1kw I have a surplus of 2KW but the meter says im consuming 3KW.

They cant take into account the direction of current flow

Hi

This depends entirely on how your system is installed and how you position your monitor(s). I have an energy monitor and a Sunnybeam BT and can see exactly what is being produced and consumed .... currently producing 168W and consuming 360W at 19:51.

If you have a separate consumer unit for the inverter which is connected using henley blocks it's possible to judge spare capacity as I do, however, using a spare breaker in an existing consumer unit complicates matters as the required meter tails for the sensor(s) do not always exist or are not readily accessible.

HTH
Z

stoozey

I see what your saying. I clamp my monitor on the tail exiting the main meter before it enters my consumer unit.

The bluetooth inverter monitor is very cool - it even has its own mini solar panel built in to keep it charged! The Germans sure do make quality kit.

zeupater

stoozey wrote: »

I see what your saying. I clamp my monitor on the tail exiting the main meter before it enters my consumer unit.

The bluetooth inverter monitor is very cool - it even has its own mini solar panel built in to keep it charged! The Germans sure do make quality kit.

Hi

If I clamp the energy monitor sensor on a tail between the main meter and the henley block I get the same effect as you, a netted usage reading ...... If the clamp is positioned between the henley block and the main consumer unit I read consumption only. With the Sunnybeam monitoring generation I have no need to do this, but I could clamp the monitor sensor between the henley block and the inverter's dedicated consumer unit and monitor generation only. As long as they were operated on different channels I could operate two energy monitors, one for consumption & one for generation.

HTH
Z

raider

21.44 kWh for me yesterday on a 3.22 kWp system, best day since installation in March. :j

Poor today, only 12.42 kWh.

jackieblack

jackieblack wrote: »

Another new high yesterday! 15kWh according to generation meter :j

Heavy cloud today:(

Well, eventually we got a few sunny spells but in the end only 8kWh generated today , would have been thrilled with 8kWh a few weeks ago, we have been spoiled lately.....

Oh, the highs and lows of solar pv.....:D

themaverick1953

stoozey wrote: »

Couple of ways you can check, first look at the meter wheel on your mains supply. Stopped = good.

Second you can check your generation meter, it reads in KWH.

What make of inverter do you have - it may be possible to buy a bluetooth monitor.

Theres no meter wheel its digital. Can I still tell from that?
Inverter = Kaco Powerdor 4202

stoozey

themaverick1953 wrote: »

Theres no meter wheel its digital. Can I still tell from that?
Inverter = Kaco Powerdor 4202

Sure, as long as its not counting up your good!

There is a remote by the looks of it, maybe call your installer and get a quote from them:

http://kaco-newenergy.de/en/site/0/produkte/photovoltaik/zubehoer/powador-prolog/page/produkte/index_cat04.xml

themaverick1953

The project manager said about £200from the company but that a cheaper one was available to fit yourself.