PV input not showing correctly

[JamesBoy]

We had a new solar system (Sunsynk) installed and wrapped up on Thursday with yesterday being our first day running (with a bunch of cloud cover, go figure).

After trying to monitor it yesterday I noticed that we never seemed to see the full input from the PV panels but instead it appears as if it matches (where possible) with the load.

Please can anyone help out with any settings that I need to apply to the inverter so that I can see the full available PV power instead of what appears to only be required to match the load?

 

[Speedster]

Once the battery is full, production will match consumption. Only way to "test" is to increase load.

 

[JamesBoy]

Once the battery is full, production will match consumption. Only way to "test" is to increase load.

Ah okay, was wondering if that was the case.
So best idea for timing when it comes to putting the geyser on is to take a look outside? I've seen so many nice graphs of PV that I thought it was something incorrectly configured.

 

[Speedster]

I guess, if you really need this data, you can set up some form of solar radiation testing station.

 

[Speedster]

Ah okay, was wondering if that was the case.
So best idea for timing when it comes to putting the geyser on is to take a look outside? I've seen so many nice graphs of PV that I thought it was something incorrectly configured.

Yup, play around with the settings for a couple of days until you find your sweet spot.

Also, have your batteries start the day empty (discharged overnight). That way you minimise grid usage. Set the batteries to only keep what you need for a potential morning loadshedding.

 

[leon.davibe]

Yea solar is use it or lose it

Like they said , you have to find your sweet spot

ie if you find you need for instance 2kwh to carry shedding keeping 2KWH isn't necessarily what you should keep
ie if you see your system produces lets say 300watt at a minimum once sun is up even on cloudy days you can say ok only keep 1.4kwh in battery power
Reserve

if your home idles low ie under what the panels produce you don't have to keep much reserves

Bottom line work the battery and run heavy loads while sun is out

Bigger battery means less lifestyle change to generate full potential

Smaller battery ie full by 11 much load shifting to sun hours is needed to capitalise on potential pv power

 

[itareanlnotani]

We had a new solar system (Sunsynk) installed and wrapped up on Thursday with yesterday being our first day running (with a bunch of cloud cover, go figure).

After trying to monitor it yesterday I noticed that we never seemed to see the full input from the PV panels but instead it appears as if it matches (where possible) with the load.

Please can anyone help out with any settings that I need to apply to the inverter so that I can see the full available PV power instead of what appears to only be required to match the load?

You'll need to export to grid or have more load or more storage that needs filling in order to see more PV input.

I wouldn't worry too much right now, from the look of it, you have enough PV. Main thing is to have enough PV to cover your winter loads.

If you can export for cheap without too many additional costs, look into it, but don't bother if inside Cape Town muni, as the costs > the income. (Unless you want to sponsor CoCT)

 

[Priapus]

We had a new solar system (Sunsynk) installed and wrapped up on Thursday with yesterday being our first day running (with a bunch of cloud cover, go figure).

After trying to monitor it yesterday I noticed that we never seemed to see the full input from the PV panels but instead it appears as if it matches (where possible) with the load.

Please can anyone help out with any settings that I need to apply to the inverter so that I can see the full available PV power instead of what appears to only be required to match the load?

As other have said: your PV will match loads. Otherwise there is no where for the extra power to go.

If you want to see what a full day of PV looks like, drain the batteries over night. And let them recharge from PV during the day.

 

[JamesBoy]

As other have said: your PV will match loads. Otherwise there is no where for the extra power to go.

If you want to see what a full day of PV looks like, drain the batteries over night. And let them recharge from PV during the day.

That is the plan right now - get to tweaking the times/charge levels on the inverter to see how things go overnight without letting the grid do anything to see what happens the next day when it starts to recharge the batteries.