6Kw System fitted just in Time

mgbond

Have just managed to get my 6Kw system installed this week and can't stop looking at the App showing generation.lol


I have a question about IBoost. I know how it works but typically what sort of solar generation level would see the Iboost kick in.


My understanding is that a typical house will consume around 2-300w from just things like fridge.freezer and other appliances that have power to them. I also understand the Iboost like to have a 200w buffer. So would this mean if the system is producing over 500w then it would kick in, I'm not convinced it would. Is there a threshold of the amount being sent back to the grid that kick the IBoost in?


Hope that makes sense.


Martin

silverwhistle

That sounds about right (well done on your new system by the way.).


Just this instant checked and was getting 2.02kw from a 4Kwp system, although I've come back to my desk and a cloud has gone over so it will now be less! Total saved today so far 1.04kwh but that should increase steadily with the broken cloud here. You'll find the readings change rapidly.



My baseload seems to be 52 watts, although I've seen 37,more often it goes to 80/90 which I presume is refrigeration kicking in. But with 6kwp you're pretty well set for 8/9 months of water heating and a useful contribution on sunny winter days too. You'll end up more bothered about the export!


Have you got an EV or is that planned?! :-)

mgbond

Thanks for the reply.


Is there an actual buffer before the IBoost kicks in, does it wait to see a steady amount of power returning to grid before it kicks in? this would make sense but I cant find any info about what level that might be.


What is EV? if its storage then that will come latter when technology is better, I was going to go storage but advice on here seemed to suggest to wait. This is why I applied to the DNO for a bigger system so I'm ready.

mgbond

Also, how do you know what your base load is or your consumption. My Inverter doesn't give me this or is this the data a smart meter gives.

Coastalwatch

mgbond wrote: »

Also, how do you know what your base load is or your consumption. My Inverter doesn't give me this or is this the data a smart meter gives.

Hi, I've no idea whether base load might be shown on your, or any inverter. I tested mine by simply taking a meter reading before turning in and then taking another first thing upon waking. Simply divided the units consumed by the hours of duration to arrive at our base load. It was around 110 Watts! Perhaps not high, but multiply by 24 and it soon stacks up. I suspect yours maybe considerably higher judging by what you have running there!

Zarch

My baseload is 130w..... rising to 200w when the fridge kicks in every 90 mins.

NAS box, routers, Sky box etc and everything else on standby.

Monitoring via my emonPi (https://openenergymonitor.org/)

Here's the output via PVOutput from the other day.

silverwhistle

My load and output is measured by an Owl intuition app although the solar output seems to under-read by just over 11% (compared with the export meter). Not a recommendation, by the way, as various issues have arisen for some people following changes to company ownership.

There appears to be a buffer but it doesn't have to be steady. I've witnessed charging rates of 0.01kw and as noted before the rate can change rapidly.

Incidentally, following my post this morning I've put a total of 3.63kWh into my immersion today.

EV stands for electric vehicle in this context; and they are a good fit if you can charge it at home during the day.

My base load is lower than many as I don't have any AV (audio-visual) stuff on standby: not having a TV, for example.

ajbell

Iboost needs just 100w now before it kicks in and unless I am doing something then typical Base usage in my house is around 50 - 100w.
Other than solid rainy dark days I typically get a hot tank Feb to Nov but the last year has been exceptional giving me hot water through most of Jan and Dec and 4400kv from my 4kwp system.
Typically putting 3 to 5kwh per day into hot water.
EV is electric vehicle.

mgbond

Thats interesting, I noticed today I hit over 4k generation at some point and total generated today was 14.7Kw but looking at the IBoost it said I saved nothing so it couldn't of kicked in. I think its not connected up correctly?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jxT8MYQv2n3RFGD-5Rl7ho3vQRxXmUj0/view?usp=sharing

mgbond

I've just moved the sender unit to the outside meter on a wire that fits the clamp better. Now the IBoost unit is displaying "Heating by Solar" and the signal symbol is flashing. When it was connected as above the unit just displayed "Water heating Off". So I think he connected it up wrong. Will see tomorrow when I'm generating.

ajbell

It should only read "heating by solar" when you are generating so if you are getting that at this time of night then it is wrong.
"Water heating off" is what you get when not generating enough spare to send to the iboost and "water tank hot" when it reaches the thermostat set level.
I put 5.08kwh in mine today.