PV Monitoring

[pvman]

Hi

What monitoring systems are people fitting for customers? We have used Sunny Beams, Aurora displays and PV Solo monitors. The Sunny beams are fine but the others have caused problems. Does anyone know of a good wireless monitor that is reliable and fixes to the total generation meter?

Many thanks

Tom

 

[PhilSouth]

The Enasolar range of inverters have wireless capabilities build in as standard. It offers a connection to the home owners' Wi-Fi and their generation is displayed on a webpage where they can select graphs for different time periods. It doesn't, however, connect to the total generation meter.
For more information, visit EnaSolar - EnaSolar introduces the ES-2kWGT-AU, grid tied solar inverter. and see what you think.
I work for a UK distributor of Enasolar, so for pricing details, please contact me.

Phil South
Renewable Technologies
01603 716436.

 

[pvman]

Thanks Phil

The monitors I require are for systems already installed, and we have used Fronius, Power One and SMA inverter which is why I am looking for a system that works off the total gen meter.

Tom

 

[PhilSouth]

Ahhh, OK. No problems.
Still, it gets the Enasolar name out into the public domain a bit more!
Best of luck finding something.

 

[GreggElectrical]

I'm looking for 5 or 6 monitors with the same problem, all different inverters. Anyone got any suggestions?

 

[morpheus75]

Im using Solar Log. According to book its compatible with a range of inverters. Currently using it with powerone 3.6 outd and web based results. Daily/monthly/annually.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[greenslade]

I'm using Wattson solar which is easy to retrofit and shows real-time either power consumed, power generated or net feed in power on a wireless display. it can be connected to a PC via USB to upload data to review historic data in graphical form. It works, but you have to be at home to monitor it.

Now I've also begun to use a serial lead from my Kaco invertor to log output on Kaco's logging program on my PC. This is compatible with pvoutput.org's excellent logging program which enables me to view output almost live (with updates at 10 minute intervals) on the web and compare with neighbouring installations. This is highly addictive but is only good if you already have a server running continuously to do the logging, which appreciate rules out most households - I run a web server 24/7. I guess some invertors might output to the web directly, but mine needs a pc to be connected.

 

[JulianC]

Have used Mastervolt's Sunwatch in the past. Basic wireless monitor that does the job and will work with any inverter. Transmitter unit fits in the output feed from the inverter and is rated for 25A. Details here: Sunwatch 25 | Mastervolt Solar energy solutions

 

[Nutmeg2]

Have used Mastervolt's Sunwatch in the past. Basic wireless monitor that does the job and will work with any inverter. Transmitter unit fits in the output feed from the inverter and is rated for 25A. Details here: Sunwatch 25 | Mastervolt Solar energy solutions

Can anyone tell me where I can buy one of these?

 

[JulianC]

We'll be able to supply them from the new year. Still awaiting prices. You'll need an electrician to hook up the transmitter.

 

[bumcrack]

What about an OWL ? About 35 quid.

 

[LydiaJ]

Now I've also begun to use a serial lead from my Kaco invertor to log output on Kaco's logging program on my PC. This is compatible with pvoutput.org's excellent logging program which enables me to view output almost live (with updates at 10 minute intervals) on the web and compare with neighbouring installations. This is highly addictive but is only good if you already have a server running continuously to do the logging, which appreciate rules out most households - I run a web server 24/7. I guess some invertors might output to the web directly, but mine needs a pc to be connected.

Hi Greenslade. I'm interested to see you're using the Kaco logging software with a serial lead. I'm trying to do the same, but having trouble making it work. I wonder if you could help me?

I have a Kaco Powador inverter connected via serial-USB converter to an old laptop that I no longer use so have been able to put up in the loft and have downloaded the Kaco-Viso software for it (version 2.2.1.0, which seems to be the latest on the Kaco website). I've not yet decided whether I want to leave it there permanently, but I'd definitely like to be able to leave it running for a week or so if I go on holiday, so I don't get any gaps in my graph even if I'm not there to read the inverter and/or generation meter.

I found it a bit fiddly to get it to log anything, but eventually got it started yesterday, and it logged fine until sunset. However, this morning it didn't start logging again when the sun came up and the inverter switched on. I've checked on it this evening, and the Kaco-Viso software was still running, but the row of numbers along the bottom still had yesterday's date on it, so it didn't seem to have received anything today at all.

Have you (or anyone else) any idea why it might do this, and what I could do to make it work properly?

 

[greenslade]

hmmmm...sounds like the set up is basically OK if it's producing the data... I didn't encounter that problem. One thought...is it possible some sort of powersave is operating on the usb port so it goes to sleep...just a long shot...

Another thought....if you can't find the reason otherwise, maybe rig up a desktop temporarily with its own serial port and eliminate the usb-serial convertor as the issue.

 

[LydiaJ]

Thanks very much.

I've found something under power options called "USB selective suspend setting" that was enabled, so I've disabled it. I'll try again tomorrow, and see if it manages to start up again on Wednesday morning.

If that doesn't fix it I'll see if I can get a serial cable from somewhere. The laptop has a docking station with a serial port, so I should be able to plug it in there.

 

[greenslade]

fingers crossed!