Solar PV Monitoring/Automation Thread

Jonathan · 15-09-2023 8:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121111514#Comment_121111514

I think someone has filed a PR to add same to the repo files.

Jonathan · 15-09-2023 8:11am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121109444#Comment_121109444

I haven't looked at it in a long while. I reacquaint myself with it over the weekend if I get a chance.

kdceddj · 15-09-2023 6:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121111894#Comment_121111894

It was me: Added Timed Charge/Discharge sensors in Solis Hybrid definition by Kdceddj · Pull Request #397 · StephanJoubert/home_assistant_solarman · GitHub. It's in master but has not yet been released to HACS by the repo owner.

For whoever is into writing time charge/discharge via HA, here's handy scripts that leverage the single and multiple register writes

inverter_set_charge_current:
  alias: "Inverter Set Charge Current"
  sequence:
    - service: solarman.write_holding_register
      data:
        register: 43141
        value: "{{ current_da }}"
inverter_set_discharge_current:
  alias: "Inverter Set Discharge Current"
  sequence:
    - service: solarman.write_holding_register
      data:
        register: 43142
        value: "{{ current_da }}"
inverter_set_charge_time:
  alias: "Inverter Set Charge Time"
  sequence:
    - service: solarman.write_multiple_holding_registers
      data:
        register: 43143
        values:
          - "{{ start_hour }}"
          - "{{ start_minute }}"
          - "{{ end_hour }}"
          - "{{ end_minute }}"
inverter_set_discharge_time:
  alias: "Inverter Set Discharge Time"
  sequence:
    - service: solarman.write_multiple_holding_registers
      data:
        register: 43147
        values:
          - "{{ start_hour }}"
          - "{{ start_minute }}"
          - "{{ end_hour }}"
          - "{{ end_minute }}"

graememk · 15-09-2023 6:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121114903#Comment_121114903

Ah sweet, I'm currently doing it via my own scripts.. where do you put that script to set the times?

Jonathan · 15-09-2023 7:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121115007#Comment_121115007

Create a script and some input_numbers and input_datetimes

sequence:
  - service: solarman.write_multiple_holding_registers
    data:
      register: 43141
      values:
        - >-
          {{ '%.0f' |
          format(states('input_number.solis_battery_charge_current')| float *
          10) }}
        - >-
          {{ '%.0f' |
          format(states('input_number.solis_battery_discharge_current')| float *
          10) }}
        - "{{state_attr('input_datetime.solis_charge_period_1_start', 'hour')}}"
        - "{{state_attr('input_datetime.solis_charge_period_1_start', 'minute')}}"
        - "{{state_attr('input_datetime.solis_charge_period_1_end', 'hour')}}"
        - "{{state_attr('input_datetime.solis_charge_period_1_end', 'minute')}}"
        - >-
          {{state_attr('input_datetime.solis_discharge_period_1_start',
          'hour')}}
        - >-
          {{state_attr('input_datetime.solis_discharge_period_1_start',
          'minute')}}
        - "{{state_attr('input_datetime.solis_discharge_period_1_end', 'hour')}}"
        - >-
          {{state_attr('input_datetime.solis_discharge_period_1_end',
          'minute')}}
mode: single
alias: Solis Write Time of Use Settings

graememk · 15-09-2023 8:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121115066#Comment_121115066

Does that script just go into scripts.yaml?

I done the previous setting via pyscript. I assume you are changing the Self use/Feed in Priority/Time of use in a similar fashion?

Jonathan · 15-09-2023 8:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121115287#Comment_121115287

Either in there or create it through the GUI in yaml mode. Settings -> Automation and Scenes -> Scripts

As for the modes, I just have tap action on each button to write the appropriate mode (33, 35 etc).

type: custom:button-card
name: Self Use
icon: mdi:home-battery-outline
size: 20%
tap_action:
  action: call-service
  service: solarman.write_holding_register
  service_data:
    register: 43110
    value: 33

graememk · 15-09-2023 10:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121115354#Comment_121115354

I understand now, I had that gap in my knowledge and couldnt make a start on it.

Jonathan · 16-09-2023 1:31am

@graememk if you're migrating over from pyscript, you'll probably need the timesync script too. Here it is a native HA version. Just set it on an automation once a day and it will stop the time from drifting.

alias: Solis Sync Inverter Time
sequence:
  - service: solarman.write_multiple_holding_registers
    data:
      register: 43000
      values: "{{ now().strftime(\"%y %m %d %H %M %S\").split() }}"
mode: single
icon: mdi:timer-sync

the_amazing_raisin · 16-09-2023 5:48pm

Quick question for anyone who has expertise with Sofar inverters

I've a Sofar HYD 6K-EP hybrid inverter

I'd like to change the battery charging settings given the crap weather we're having, want to charge it more overnight

But I really don't want to get the ladder and climb into the attic. I don't have a proper attic ladder so it involves some acrobatics

So, is there any way to configure the inverter remotely? I've got the basic Sofar app but that seems to only be for data logging

Is there another app I can use? Seems a bit hit and miss between inverter models

Jonathan · 16-09-2023 6:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121119287#Comment_121119287

Moved from Random Renewables thread.

Are you using Home Assistant? The Solarman integration looks to support that inverter.

https://github.com/StephanJoubert/home_assistant_solarman/

graememk · 16-09-2023 6:40pm

Or sofar2mqtt, there is raspberry pi version (and there is an esp8266 version too)

https://gitlab.com/rjpearce/sofar2mqtt

the_amazing_raisin · 16-09-2023 7:54pm

Interesting, although probably more work than I'll get done this weekend 😂

Will definitely take a look into both of those, would like to get the remote control sorted as I think it's one thing the inverter is really lacking at the moment

championc · 16-09-2023 8:27pm

But set it once now and forget about it. If you are on a tariff which pays a decent FIT, then it would make sense to charge it up every night, 365, to maximize your exporting.

Only deemed export if worth using battery to store solar, since the best thing is getting paid deemed export, and exporting nothing.

Of course, the deemed export payments are about to cease, and potentially even before D/N meters are replaced

jasgrif11 · 19-09-2023 8:40am

Completed and tested this last night. A simple solution that works well for my use case.

Between the hours Start/End if the EV is connected and charging then disable the JKBMS flag so that the car doesn't pull charge from my battery. If the car finishes charging between these hours then allow the battery to discharge to cover the house load.

championc · 19-09-2023 8:55am

Assuming the car charging is during a night tariff period, and if charging stopped early, surely it would still make sense to run the house off the grid rather than the battery ? And surely it would make sense to charge the battery during the cheap period, rather than discharging ?

jasgrif11 · 19-09-2023 9:19am

Right now my battery (40kWh) has been getting me all through the night and day, obviously due to the summer period. However, you make a valid point on the cheap period. I will add a flag to make the timing an option. On Energia at the moment, but depending on what Smart Tarrif I get later this year then I may need to discharge from the battery at night outside of the few hours window.

championc · 19-09-2023 1:07pm

Look at Pinergy so when changing, or even consider changing now. 5c import, 28c FIT, 3hrs on EV plan. €100 cashback on levelpay plan. That would cover your break contract penalty

poker--addict · 19-09-2023 11:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121128699#Comment_121128699

Have you code to share. This is probably what I need. At moment I have been trying to charge battery just before day rate, and car and run immersion just before battery window, to sort of manually achieve the same thing (min house battery to car).

The devils · 22-09-2023 8:27am

My invertor is outside in lean too - reaches temps plus 60 degrees

The devils · 22-09-2023 8:29am

Guts im looking at any threads relating to the solis app remote monitoring - cant seem to set my charge via app - any help would be appreciated.

Only got remote setting installed yesterday - and whats weird is i cant charge from invertor either this morning before i left for work (just for an hour or 2 )

Thanks

yankinlk · 23-09-2023 8:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121141621#Comment_121141621

Have u ever had it thru app before? If not open a ticket and request the feature. Its not by default i think. If you used to have it but its gone missing....uninstall and reinstall the app on yer phone.

yankinlk · 23-09-2023 8:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121129681#Comment_121129681

Is there a special tariff from pinergy or a link required to sign up?

championc · 23-09-2023 8:52am

https://pinergy.ie/cooline/?_cldee=iHpafYEr1R4TgRZ_Y4nbHPp_tav8-jGTjUqlUmX_LrGlurJfvMhrq32ObvUJH_l8&recipientid=lead-9ef8975edf48ee11be6d000d3adf7f68-ef148866e86b4d598048a7a4fbeca19f&esid=9561fa1c-fe39-4a3c-a6dc-c7bfaa8b961c

The devils · 23-09-2023 10:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121145795#Comment_121145795

thanks - I have only recently got the app and though "hey it would be nice to have some remote control, just incase", since yesterday i have amended the local controls and should be fine now, however all i really wanted was to be able to "run" charge from the grid remotely via app.

Take Care

Jonathan · 26-09-2023 12:28am

Only just discovered that Solcast provides 10th and 90th percentile information about its estimates buried as attributes.

  - sensor:
     name: 'Solcast Forecast Today 10th Percentile'
     unique_id: solcast_forecast_today_10th_percentile
     unit_of_measurement: 'kWh'
     state: '{{ state_attr("sensor.solcast_forecast_today", "detailedHourly") | sum(attribute="pv_estimate10") }}'
     state_class: measurement
     device_class: energy
     icon: mdi:solar-power
  - sensor:
     name: 'Solcast Forecast Today 90th Percentile'
     unique_id: solcast_forecast_today_90th_percentile
     unit_of_measurement: 'kWh'
     state: '{{ state_attr("sensor.solcast_forecast_today", "detailedHourly") | sum(attribute="pv_estimate90") }}'
     state_class: measurement
     device_class: energy
     icon: mdi:solar-power
  - sensor:
     name: 'Solcast Forecast Tomorrow 10th Percentile'
     unique_id: solcast_forecast_tomorrow_10th_percentile
     unit_of_measurement: 'kWh'
     state: '{{ state_attr("sensor.solcast_forecast_tomorrow", "detailedHourly") | sum(attribute="pv_estimate10") }}'
     state_class: measurement
     device_class: energy
     icon: mdi:solar-power
  - sensor:
     name: 'Solcast Forecast Tomorrow 90th Percentile'
     unique_id: solcast_forecast_tomorrow_90th_percentile
     unit_of_measurement: 'kWh'
     state: '{{ state_attr("sensor.solcast_forecast_tomorrow", "detailedHourly") | sum(attribute="pv_estimate90") }}'
     state_class: measurement
     device_class: energy
     icon: mdi:solar-power

You can pull these out and create additional sensors using the templates above. On very bad days, I find Solcast tends to overestimate, so it will be interesting to see if the 10th percentile prediction is more accurate.

SD_DRACULA · 26-09-2023 9:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121157504#Comment_121157504

Handy but their predictions have been quite bad this month for me (forecast.solar was more accurate somehow)

Also, any luck getting some sort of angle calculation into the met.ie predictions? It's usually the most accurate model for me.

bullit_dodger · 26-09-2023 11:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121157948#Comment_121157948

Why would you need angle calculation in the met.ie stuff. The angle of your panels is fixed. Met.ie will give you the solar radiation (estimate) for the day. So you compute "I got x kwhr from y solar radiation today" (I take an average over 10 days).......so tomorrow you can work out that your system will get "1.5x from 1.5y radiation" etc. This works pretty well. No need to overcomplicate it.

Note above from Aug 16th -> Aug 25th. Nearly a perfect match of forecast to generation. And again from Sept 8th -> Sept 20th nearly spot on. Other days are a little "off", but even for the start of Sept, it was tracking the general trend.

I charted and compared the models for me and met.ie was (by far) better than solcast - though that could well be down to the fact that statistically the Met.ie forecast for Dublin city might be better/more accurate than where you are in the country. Just sayin..

Aside: Tomorrow Wed 27th looks pretty bleak for Dublin, although back to sunshine again on Thurs.