Solar install less then a month ago, battery between 0% and 4%

Alexin1970

Good morning everyone,
I’m seeking advice regarding some issues we’ve been experiencing since our Solar PV installation, which took place less than a month ago. The installation, completed and commissioned in August, includes 14 Solar PV panels, a GivEnergy AC Coupled Inverter, and a Giv-Bat 9.5 Gen 2 battery.

After the installation, the 9.5 battery was calibrated and reached 100% charge around 10 p.m. However, within about 12 hours, the battery level dropped to 0% and remained there for a few days, fluctuating between 2% and 4% thereafter. Two days later, an engineer performed a full recalibration. The battery again reached 100%, but after around 10 hours, it dropped to 0% and exhibited similar fluctuations, sometimes reaching 7%. I also noticed that the battery status frequently showed “IDLE” for several hours.

I believe something is wrong, as this isn’t how the system is supposed to operate. After monitoring it for about three weeks, I contacted the installation company, who suggested it could be due to shading from nearby trees. While we do have a few trees, the panels receive sunlight during the day, and I know the shade can’t be affecting the battery after 10 p.m., when no energy is being produced. Additionally, if shading were such a significant issue, why wasn’t this identified during the initial survey? The survey team only used a measuring tape—no other tools were involved.

I’ve noticed that a few users on this forum have reported similar issues recently. Has anyone heard if the manufacturer has addressed this, or is it still unresolved?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Reed_Richards

Unless there is a very unusual setting somewhere, your battery should charge in preference to any export taking place so if your battery is not charging you are presumably not exporting any electricity either.  Also, most systems maintain a minimum battery charge of 10% or more; I'm surprised yours does not do this.

Alexin1970

Hi,

Thanks for your response. Currently, I'm not set up to export any electricity, as I'm still waiting for the certificate and handover pack—I've received nothing so far from the installation company. They were supposed to monitor the battery issue, but after three weeks of no updates, I had to chase them down, and I assume they’ve done absolutely nothing. Unfortunately, the issue still persists.

Hoenir

Alexin1970 said:

 I know the shade can’t be affecting the battery after 10 p.m., when no energy is being produced. 

Sunset at 10 pm occurs in June. Already we are nearly back to 7pm. 

debitcardmayhem

Do you have the Givenergy app from apple app store or play store , the manual is here
https://kb.givenergy.cloud/article.php?id=68 
My installers gave me the MCS etc, and a handover pack within 3 days

debitcardmayhem

Also givenergy site back up, was down earlier from here. https://givenergy.co.uk/givenergy-app/

Reed_Richards

Alexin1970 said:

...Currently, I'm not set up to export any electricity, as I'm still waiting for the certificate and handover pack...

You may not be set up to be paid for exporting electricity but it may well happen anyway.  Presumably you have a smart meter that measures export; has it measured anything?

My inverter, which is a different make, can limit my export, right down to zero if I choose.  But it does that by limiting my generation.  

debitcardmayhem

I have had Givenergy battery and inverter since Dec 23, had no problems, the battery should charge to 100% at install and then discharge fully to calibrate. After that mine is on Eco most of time, unless forcing export, but no point of you doing this until you have a MPAN for export. I suggest you installers have not much assistance, and probably have misconfigured somehow. This am my battery wend from 71% this 100% before 12 whilst washing 3 loads

badmemory

I am exporting (when the battery is full) even though I'm not set up yet to be paid.  But I can tell how much I am exporting.  Can you not tell.  The only time mine went to export-all was when I had the new smart meter fitted.  So my totally unknowledgable take on this would be to get the installers electrician back.

As they told me my battery won't go below 10% either.

debitcardmayhem

From the givenergy site notifications

Alexin1970

Hoenir said:

Alexin1970 said:

 I know the shade can’t be affecting the battery after 10 p.m., when no energy is being produced. 

Sunset at 10 pm occurs in June. Already we are nearly back to 7pm. 

Thanks, that is what I thought.