How can I tell if I'm using my Solar PV-generated power?

ccbrowning

As per subject.

I don't have any way to get the data automatically from my inverter as the module is EoL. However, if I look at it, I see that, for example, it said 15.7 kWh yesterday.

I also have two meters in the garage:

1. SDM120D - the number seems to be incrementing the same amount as my solar generation, but I need more data to confirm. 
2. The main smart meter, which of course goes up every day

QrizB

ccbrowning said:

As per subject.
I don't have any way to get the data automatically from my inverter as the module is EoL. However, if I look at it, I see that, for example, it said 15.7 kWh yesterday.
I also have two meters in the garage:

1. SDM120D - the number seems to be incrementing the same amount as my solar generation, but I need more data to confirm. 
2. The main smart meter, which of course goes up every day

Meter 1 is your generation meter. It's the official record of how much solar electricity you've generated.

Meter 2 is your import/export meter. It's the official record of how much electricity you've imported from the grid, and (assuming it has a working export register, most-but-not-all smart meters do) of how much you've exported to the grid.

Read them both daily, at roughly the same time every day. For the smart meter, read the import and the export registers.

Daily import, export and generation are obvious; they're the daily change in the readings from your meters. Self-consumption is the difference between generation and export.

So, for example and using my own readings for today:

• Generation: 6.10kWh
• Import: 0kWh
• Export: 1kWh
• Self-consumption is (generation - export = ) 5.10kWh.
• Total consumption is that plus import, but import today was 0.

ccbrowning

Thanks, @QrizB! I had looked at my smart meter (e470) and had naively assumed they would just have it cycle through import/export display or something...but, I found out how to see that number. 

6733 Import
1129 Export

So now I just keep tracking this extra export number and I'll be able to tell. Given that we seem to use computers and stuff at night and I need to set the timers for my GSHP (DHW+Heating) so it doesn't run at night, there's no way we're using what we generate now.

Petriix

Those meter readings will tell you what has happened (i.e. the difference between the increase of the generation meter and the export reading will let you know how much of your generation you've used) but it's much more useful to measure what's happening in real-time so that you know when to turn things on.

Some smart meter IHDs will show import and export, otherwise you can buy a monitor to display the current generation, either by counting the flashes on the generation meter or with a CT clamp. My IHD only shows import, but I have a Geo Solo II to measure my generation and my Zappi EV charging point measures the net power flow; it also diverts surplus solar to the car where possible. 

ccbrowning

The e470 does show import and export, luckily, although it involves a lot of button pressing.

Now I just need to sort out the heat and DHW timing so I use more electricity where there is excess. Or also maybe get an iBoost or Eddi since I have a 300L immersion tank already for the GSHP.

Spies

Have you lost your IHD?

You can buy a CAD from glowmarkt which will give you the data you require. 

ccbrowning

Spies said:

Have you lost your IHD?

You can buy a CAD from glowmarkt which will give you the data you require. 

I never had a IHD, or the builders never game it to me anyway.

ed110220

ccbrowning said:

Spies said:

Have you lost your IHD?

You can buy a CAD from glowmarkt which will give you the data you require. 

I never had a IHD, or the builders never game it to me anyway.

 I only used mine for a short time after our smart meters were installed about 6-8 years ago. Then the novelty wore off and I think I sold it on eBay so getting readings involves a lot of button pressing

gefnew

Did the inverter not come with any form of remote monitoring software via bluetooth ,wifi lan connection.
What make and model number is it. 
If not any of the above you could make your own station set up from free issue stuff from the Utility companies used to send out free.

right owl usage in house.
 Left British gas solar generation

QrizB

gefnew said:

Did the inverter not come with any form of remote monitoring software via bluetooth ,wifi lan connection.

OP says:

ccbrowning said:

I don't have any way to get the data automatically from my inverter as the module is EoL.

gefnew

Yet my inverter is older than his one, 2011 install and came with Bluetooth and other forms of seeing data with it`s own pc software where it even shows all production and errors and events, SMA 4000-tl 20 , software is Sunny Explorer.