Solar Controller for roof solar arrays to maximize use of available energy

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Solar Controller for roof solar arrays to maximize use of available energy - request for information

BertP

3 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#275943 17-Sep-2020 17:20

Hi,

Two years ago we put a 5.3Kw solar array on the roof of our house. We have spent two years running around turning on and off various appliances, water heaters, a pool pump and the Jacuzzi as solar power was available. Luckily we work from home and are around most of the day to do this.

I am tired of running around switching things on and off and want to develop a smart controller to do this automatically.

If any of you have a solar array you might tell me what to do to maximize the use of the available solar power automatically?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Regards,

Bert van den Berg

New Zealand

lokeynz

106 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 16

#2567093 17-Sep-2020 18:34

I'd be checking if someone else has already done the hard yards integrating your inverter model with Home Assistant.
This sounds like the type of thing you're after?

chimera

563 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 199

ID Verified

#2567175 17-Sep-2020 20:45

At a minimum you should have a solar diverter for hot water installed, so any excess energy goes towards your HWC. Assume you have also minimized your power usage by replacing all lights with LED too.

BertP

3 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#2567495 18-Sep-2020 13:53

Thank you for your reply.

That system relies heavily on you having a battery. With a battery it is a lot easier to capture the available power and not waste any sending to the grid.

We do not have a battery as they are still very expensive and require a special battery charger.

Regards,

Bert

chimera

563 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 199

ID Verified

#2567607 18-Sep-2020 14:22

Solar Diverters do not require a battery to work, on the contrary they are more of an alternative to running batteries (expensive)

You get paid diddly squat sending back to the grid, so a diverter setup to feed excess power to your HWC will be highly effective, as heating is one of the larger costs of powering your home.