About to install LG300A1C-B3 300W AC microinverters, got some Q's

[AaronG]

In my case, my installer set them all up for me. I just had to ask. In addition, you should also get the SolarEdge API key for pvoutput integration. eg. here is mine http://pvoutput.org/list.jsp?sid=31988. But for some reason, it always report 0.5-1Kwh less than SolarEdge's own monitoring portal. My guess is that it doesn't pull the data fast enough from SE server, so sometimes it skips.

I found out I can show consumption and production information on pvoutput. It's pretty badass. You all may know this, so I wont bother with the details. But if you don't know how and want to do it, let me know we can get in to that here..

pvoutput.jpg

[CA_Tom]

I found out I can show consumption and production information on pvoutput. It's pretty badass. You all may know this, so I wont bother with the details. But if you don't know how and want to do it, let me know we can get in to that here..

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5330[/ATTACH]

I think that's deserving of it's own thread.
Even if he doesn't want to know, I do.

[PVAndy]

I found out I can show consumption and production information on pvoutput. It's pretty badass. You all may know this, so I wont bother with the details. But if you don't know how and want to do it, let me know we can get in to that here..

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5330[/ATTACH]

What are you using to get consumption data?

Thanks Andy

[SunEagle]

I found out I can show consumption and production information on pvoutput. It's pretty badass. You all may know this, so I wont bother with the details. But if you don't know how and want to do it, let me know we can get in to that here..

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5330[/ATTACH]

Nice data. Too bad you didn't get good sun in the afternoon or you might have generated as much as you used.

[AaronG]

For San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) they support multiple HAN devices that connect to get consumption information directly from your meter. The one that I am using is the "Rainforest Automation" "EAGLE" model $99 on Amazon. Make sure to get the "Wattvision" one.

This one which supports Wattvision

http://www.amazon.com/Rainforest-EAGLE-Ethernet-ZigBee-Gateway/dp/B00AII248U

NOT this one! which uses Bidgley

http://www.amazon.com/EAGLE-ZigBee-Gateway-with-Bidgely/dp/B00EIW0TXE/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1418408415&sr=1-2&keywords=rainforest+automation+eagle&pebp=1418408418168

Once you get that, get SDGE to authorize it. Then consumption metrics are available to the EAGLE device.
PVoutput.org supports Wattvision
See the graphic below.

Of course I have PRODUCTION information in pvoutput.org via SolarEdge
solaredge.jpg
wattvison.jpg

[sensij]

For San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) they support multiple HAN devices that connect to get consumption information directly from your meter. The one that I am using is the "Rainforest Automation" "EAGLE" model $99 on Amazon. Make sure to get the "Wattvision" one.

This one which supports Wattvision

http://www.amazon.com/Rainforest-EAGLE-Ethernet-ZigBee-Gateway/dp/B00AII248U

NOT this one! which uses Bidgley

http://www.amazon.com/EAGLE-ZigBee-Gateway-with-Bidgely/dp/B00EIW0TXE/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1418408415&sr=1-2&keywords=rainforest+automation+eagle&pebp=1418408418168

Great tip, thanks! Nice that Christmas is coming

[SunEagle]

Great tip, thanks! Nice that Christmas is coming

I would first talk to your POCO to see if they will authorize communication from their Meter to your data collection device.

I tried to get that here in Fl since my smart meter had ZigBee communication but my POCO was not receptive to the idea.

[sensij]

I would first talk to your POCO to see if they will authorize communication from their Meter to your data collection device.

I tried to get that here in Fl since my smart meter had ZigBee communication but my POCO was not receptive to the idea.

Yeah, I'm SDG&E, like AaronG is, and now that I look, they even have a webpage within their site that advertises these.

[SunEagle]

Yeah, I'm SDG&E, like AaronG is, and now that I look, they even have a webpage within their site that advertises these.

Then Merry Christmas to ya.

[thejq]

Ok, I already have the SolarEdge Zigbee gateway, so I don't need to this "Rainforest" device right?

Just added myself to the SD team on PVoutput http://pvoutput.org/outputs.jsp?df=20141212&tid=859, and saw you're there too, AaronG.

[sensij]

Ok, I already have the SolarEdge Zigbee gateway, so I don't need to this "Rainforest" device right?

Just added myself to the SD team on PVoutput http://pvoutput.org/outputs.jsp?df=20141212&tid=859, and saw you're there too, AaronG.

As I understand it, the Rainforest adds consumption, the Solaredge device will only report generation.

[AaronG]

Ok, I already have the SolarEdge Zigbee gateway, so I don't need to this "Rainforest" device right?

Just added myself to the SD team on PVoutput http://pvoutput.org/outputs.jsp?df=20141212&tid=859, and saw you're there too, AaronG.

SE ZigBee is just to get the connecitivty to publish production. SE has a consumption solution in the works. I called support on it. Not released and not as cheap I have to imagine!

[AaronG]

Yeah, I'm SDG&E, like AaronG is, and now that I look, they even have a webpage within their site that advertises these.

Sdge apparently sends the orders to rainforest in Canada. So its quicker to go to amazon. Otherwise the same....

[sensij]

SE ZigBee is just to get the connecitivty to publish production. SE has a consumption solution in the works. I called support on it. Not released and not as cheap I have to imagine!

If SolarEdge were to build into their Zigbee gateway the ability to communicate directly with the meter, that would be very cool. I would not guess that these things are standardized globally well enough to expect that, but we can dream. The more traditional solution would require some wiring in the load center to get the voltage and current of all the supply lines, which isn't an approach I would be excited about implementing.

[thejq]

ok, I did some more digging and I see your point. The "Rainforest" device is paired with the smart meter and collects the consumption data which can be viewed locally or uploaded to the cloud (wattvision). PVoutput collects the data from wattvision.

SolarEdge has some ways to connect to a meter by wire (http://www.solaredge.us/articles/se-...e_grade_meters) via the serial interface and collect consumption data. Since I already have Zigbee installed, I was hoping I can pair the smart meter with the SolarEdge inteverter which will collect the data and upload to SE cloud. PVoutput actually has an interface to read the consumption data from SE's cloud service. The missing link for me is how to pair SE inverter with SDG&E smart meter and collect the data. Just emailed SE tech support and waiting for reply.