My solar power project and Raspberry Pi energy monitor

[MattHubbert]

Hi folks,

Some of you might be interested in my DIY solar power project and real-time energy monitor. It consists of a relatively low power solar power system, but enough to power the entire LED lights inside the house at night. It posts live data to a website and social media using the data from a Tracer 2210A charge controller and a Raspberry Pi Model B. It is an ongoing project that combines a variety of different technical areas. The website (link below) explains how most of it was achieved, with the aim of showing how easy it is to implement a small-scale solar system at home. My long term aim is to acquire 1Kw of panels, and redirect excess energy to an immersion heater.

http://www.solarpoweredhome.co.uk

Any thoughts, feedback, questions welcome! ☼

[SunEagle]

Interesting looking system.

I went on to the weblink and read more about your system which told me there are 2 x 100 watt panels and 2 x 12v 24Ah batteries. Also your daily usage is about 300 watt hours where the system can produce a total of ~ 580watt hours. But you would have to discharge it more than half on days you do not get any sun. Nice little system. Thanks for sharing your data.

[MattHubbert]

All details can be found on the webpage. I've estimated the daily watt-hour usage (since April) at around 350 - 400 watt hours. The batteries (when I first bought them) should be about 580 watt hours. They have only been run down too low once or twice since installing it in April, and I'm adding two more panels at the weekend.

[SunEagle]

Thanks. I went back and read the webpage.

My only question is how you keep from sending any power back onto the grid or are you totally off grid?

[MattHubbert]

The inverter isn't grid-tied, it only supplies the lighting circuit in the house. Should the inverter ever go off, a relay switches the lighting circuit back to mains.

[SunEagle]

The inverter isn't grid-tied, it only supplies the lighting circuit in the house. Should the inverter ever go off, a relay switches the lighting circuit back to mains.

Ok. You have some type of transfer switch to keep the solar isolated from the grid.

Keep us informed on how your system works out.