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Solar Panel Guide Discussion

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  • hambrook wrote: »
    I have just had a 4kW System installed consisting of 16 x Suntech STP250s-WD+ Panels (rarer than chickens teeth) and a Fronius 4.0 IG TL Inverter fitted. The inverter has the ability for a USB stick to be plugged in which I then plug into PC and download all the data into the Fronius Solar.access software and this works just fine.

    What I would like to do is view the status of the inverter from PC's, iPhone etc (there is a Fronius App) - but this requires another box called a data logger. Fronius do a couple of boxes but they aint cheap - £500 for the Fronius Data Logger web which basically enables an ethernet socket!

    Are dataloggers propriety or can you use different makes to provide datalogging and remote data display?

    I've been looking at this question as well, as our inverter only has RS232 and RS-485 comms, which is expensive to set up for remote access. All I want is a real-time (logged) output display with minimum installation fuss. I think I've found the solution, but haven't coughed up yet as at £150 inc P&P it's still not particularly cheap:

    http://www.greenenergyoptions.co.uk/our-products/solopv

    It's not avaiable direct, and the only place I've found it available online is here:

    http://www.redrenewables.co.uk/geosolopv

    However it does tick the following boxes:
    • Real-time display (wirelessly)
    • Cumulative stats
    • Logging to SD card
    • Results can be uploaded to a website for analysis
    • Accurate (measures your generator meter directly)
    I think that's sufficient for me, but I'll do a bit more hunting around first.

    Hope that helps.
    Cider Country Solar PV generator: 3.7kWp Enfinity system on unshaded SE (-36deg azimuth) & 45deg roof
  • anselld
    anselld Posts: 8,636 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I've been looking at this question as well, as our inverter only has RS232 and RS-485 comms, which is expensive to set up for remote access. All I want is a real-time (logged) output display with minimum installation fuss. I think I've found the solution, but haven't coughed up yet as at £150 inc P&P it's still not particularly cheap:

    http://www.greenenergyoptions.co.uk/our-products/solopv

    It's not avaiable direct, and the only place I've found it available online is here:

    http://www.redrenewables.co.uk/geosolopv

    However it does tick the following boxes:
    • Real-time display (wirelessly)
    • Cumulative stats
    • Logging to SD card
    • Results can be uploaded to a website for analysis
    • Accurate (measures your generator meter directly)
    I think that's sufficient for me, but I'll do a bit more hunting around first.

    Hope that helps.

    Looks fine, but three times as expensive as that I posted in post 809.
    The one in my post also uploads automatically to web portal without any SD card, etc.
    So not sure why you would want to spend £150 on this!
  • Melba86ss
    Melba86ss Posts: 1 Newbie
    edited 24 October 2011 at 5:11PM
    Thanks, I've updated :-)
  • lanstrom
    lanstrom Posts: 204 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I've been looking at this question as well, as our inverter only has RS232 and RS-485 comms, which is expensive to set up for remote access. All I want is a real-time (logged) output display with minimum installation fuss. I think I've found the solution, but haven't coughed up yet as at £150 inc P&P it's still not particularly cheap:

    http://www.greenenergyoptions.co.uk/our-products/solopv

    It's not avaiable direct, and the only place I've found it available online is here:

    http://www.redrenewables.co.uk/geosolopv

    However it does tick the following boxes:
    • Real-time display (wirelessly)
    • Cumulative stats
    • Logging to SD card
    • Results can be uploaded to a website for analysis
    • Accurate (measures your generator meter directly)
    I think that's sufficient for me, but I'll do a bit more hunting around first.

    Hope that helps.

    Worth looking at this one too ...
    http://www.eco-eye.com/products-smartPV.html

    I have emailed them for an ETA and they said it is currently in beta and will be available 1st week in November.
  • anselld wrote: »
    Looks fine, but three times as expensive as that I posted in post 809.
    The one in my post also uploads automatically to web portal without any SD card, etc.
    So not sure why you would want to spend £150 on this!

    I saw your response after I'd posted, but did a little research on the AppStore for the iPhone app from AlertMe and there are several users moaning about poor reliability of the AlertMe kit. How's your experience of it to date? Is any subscription needed for remote access or is it a lifetime subscription included?
    Cider Country Solar PV generator: 3.7kWp Enfinity system on unshaded SE (-36deg azimuth) & 45deg roof
  • "our inverter only has RS232 and RS-485 comms"

    Can you guys hear yourselves? You're debating communication protocols for a system that allows you to be paid 43p/unit for electricity by suppliers who normally obtain it for around 4-5p/unit and who pass the cost on to everyone else. It's not an investment, it's robbery.
  • lanstrom
    lanstrom Posts: 204 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    alterego wrote: »
    "our inverter only has RS232 and RS-485 comms"

    Can you guys hear yourselves? You're debating communication protocols for a system that allows you to be paid 43p/unit for electricity by suppliers who normally obtain it for around 4-5p/unit and who pass the cost on to everyone else. It's not an investment, it's robbery.

    Your absolutely right !

    Meanwhile ... I only generated 7 kWh today ;-)
  • albyota
    albyota Posts: 1,106 Forumite
    I've been looking at this question as well, as our inverter only has RS232 and RS-485 comms, which is expensive to set up for remote access. All I want is a real-time (logged) output display with minimum installation fuss. I think I've found the solution, but haven't coughed up yet as at £150 inc P&P it's still not particularly cheap:

    http://www.greenenergyoptions.co.uk/our-products/solopv

    It's not avaiable direct, and the only place I've found it available online is here:

    http://www.redrenewables.co.uk/geosolopv

    However it does tick the following boxes:
    • Real-time display (wirelessly)
    • Cumulative stats
    • Logging to SD card
    • Results can be uploaded to a website for analysis
    • Accurate (measures your generator meter directly)
    I think that's sufficient for me, but I'll do a bit more hunting around first.

    Hope that helps.

    What Inverter do you have?
    There are three types of people in this world...those that can count ...and those that can't! ;)

    * The Bitterness of Low Quality is Long Remembered after the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten!
  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,059 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    alterego wrote: »
    "our inverter only has RS232 and RS-485 comms"

    Can you guys hear yourselves? You're debating communication protocols for a system that allows you to be paid 43p/unit for electricity by suppliers who normally obtain it for around 4-5p/unit and who pass the cost on to everyone else. It's not an investment, it's robbery.

    The stupidity is on the part of the Government for allowing such a scheme.

    You cannot blame individuals who take advantage of such schemes.
  • anselld
    anselld Posts: 8,636 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I saw your response after I'd posted, but did a little research on the AppStore for the iPhone app from AlertMe and there are several users moaning about poor reliability of the AlertMe kit. How's your experience of it to date? Is any subscription needed for remote access or is it a lifetime subscription included?

    it's been absolutely fine in my experience.
    The app could do with being updated for the iPad (it is a iPhone app) but I prefer the web app anyway and use that on the pad.
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