PV+ Grid Voltage Monitor

Gadget_Dave

I obtained a spreadsheet from Scottish Power with whom my PV System is registered with and who pay my FIT payments. It took them a few days to provide the data but none the less a complete data set was obtained, I also collated my own generation data everyday since installation and have this data written down on a notepad. I have used this data to generate annual graphs which is easy to compare the data sets year on year. Hence I can show unequivocally that PV Plus doesn't work to the levels stated in the sales pitch.
Hopefully I have the data to show at a forthcoming meeting with GEP Solutions that the switch isn't doing what they claim and they will offer my money back or at least pay the bank back with the buy now pay later scheme they employ to sell these switches...

zeupater wrote: »

Hi

Information provided below is from PVOutput team 'United Kingdom' for the past 4 years. The team consists of 548 systems of which around 250 currently contribute on a daily basis therefore the sample size would prove statistically significant.

Average Generation kWh/kWp per day - percentage is 2016 vs year
2016 - 2.185
2015 - 2.243 - 97.4%
2014 - 2.276 - 96.0%
2013 - 2.209 - 98.9%

2016 when compared to the previous 3 year average resolves to a relative generation of 97.4% (2.185/((2.243+2.276+2.209)/3)), therefore a 'reasonable man' consideration would be that the reduction in generation due to irradiation conditions would be in the region of 2.6% which is certainly in line with the Met Office sunshine analytics figure provided by Martyn1981 in an earlier post.

It is important that POLLY1133 accurately compares 12 month generation post-installation for the same periods pre-installation in energy terms (kWh) as opposed to FiT payments as this removes tariff variance.

From information provided, annual payment reduced by £38 on a historical 'estimate' of £500. The annual uplift for FiT between 2015 & 2016 was 1.21%, therefore suggesting a 7.5% (38/(500*1.0121)) reduction in generation for this particular site which suggests that the FiT 'estimate' of £500 needs to be addressed urgently prior to any discussion with the vendor.

Irrespective of the accuracy of the data, it is clear that the provision of technology claiming to benefit generation is not performing in line with any technical or financial claims made.

Regarding 'bird muck' - considering that the generation periods being compared are annual, it is extremely unlikely (or even unreasonable) to assume or claim that a temporary reduction in output would resolve to anywhere near a 20.9% (1-((100*0.925)/((100x1.2)*0.974))) fall in annual generation against claims & expectations, this being due to the natural cleaning effect of rain combined with year on year long term averaging (birds tend to target panels on a regular basis!).

Regarding shading - it would be unreasonable to assume that shading related to trees would seriously impact annual generation (in the region of 25%) between two consecutive years without the shading source being extremely close to the array in question and the shade being almost immediately obvious.

It's no use in considering FiT income in any discussion unless claiming compensation for reduced generation. Accurate data on energy generation is needed to be gathered together urgently - this can either be from the quarterly submissions or downloaded directly from the inverter.

HTH
Z

Oscargrouch

Merlin139 wrote: »

This is taken from the information sent by Saveheatenergy.

Don't Faff around; just BIN em.:D

Gadget_Dave

I'm trying to bin em but need my system restoring back to how it was when they installed it. They can have their PV Plus Grid Monitor switch back as its crap.

Gadget_Dave

Could I share my generation data with you? It seems your maths are better than mine. I have all data plotted and clearly shows PV Plus doesn't work.
I have the file loaded in dropbox and could share the link to the file with you. please provide email address.

Thanks

Gadget_Dave

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4r9z4oznoly8jrd/solar%20switch%20data.xlsx?dl=0

Let me know if this works.

Thanks

Gadget_Dave

Gadget_Dave

sheet 2 https://www.dropbox.com/s/4r9z4oznoly8jrd/solar%20switch%20data.xlsx?dl=0
sheet 1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/4r9z4oznoly8jrd/solar%20switch%20data.xlsx?dl=0
Link to my data on dropbox..

Gadget_Dave

I pressed my case very hard with the installers showing all the data I had generated and then went to HIES and they confirmed the data stood up, The installers then reluctantly uninstalled the PV + Switch and about 1 month later I got a full refund via the finance company. No harm done just stuck to the facts and provided the evidence. Case closed now but this item does not work in a domestic setup.


Be warned.....