[rustynutz]

Actually, he looks like a tree hugger.....  

[Phil №❶]

Anyone who has held the Govt positions he has, needs to be really good at BS, IMO. Just proves my theory that you can be well qualified and wrong, at the same time.

[Surferdude]

The guys an idiot.
In Queensland, for years Peter Beattie (Labor) took all the income from electricity and instead of investing some of it back into infrastructure, fed it into consolidated revenue for use elsewhere.
Now, when we're trying to catch up, the power bills just keep climbing. Any politician who tells me I should reduce my FIT to fund new infrastructure will cop an earful.
Tell your friend, he should take a cut in his pension to help fund infrastructure. See how that goes down.

[Phil №❶]

 

[Doggie 1]

As Winston said, "Never, never, never give up."
Stick it up 'em Dazz.   

[eye30]

, the power bills just keep climbing.

Glad it's just not here in th uk that prices seem to rise when we are told wholesale cost have dropped

[beerman]

Sorry, have been 'off grid' a bit and missed this.

Labor in QLD privatised electricity retail now retail costs represent 20% of the price, Solar 4.8%.

They apparently won't play with the FIT in Qld, because they will get sued (apparently).

If they play with the FIT then I'll be looking at hybrid solar (and that's not a Dazz's car with a solar panel on the roof)

[Dazzler]

If they play with the FIT then I'll be looking at hybrid solar (and that's not a Dazz's car with a solar panel on the roof)

What do you think it would cost to convert to a closed (off grid) system? I'm guessing batteries and a controller would put a big hole in 10K 

When I have a spare couple of grand I will probably convert our main hot water cylinder to solar which combined with our panels would nearly make us self sufficient power wise (even in the winter)

[beerman]

http://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/grid-connected-solar-panels

Probably better to be on the grid, and not need a generator.

[Dazzler]

Thanks for that link beerman

[beerman]

Only stumbled across it myself yesterday....

If what old mate is saying is correct, it will be very popular soon. It would also put paid to the "Solar doesn't save any power at the peek period" argument. Those of us with a limited system size can upgrade, sell the max back most of the time and put the rest into batteries for later.oh and having the only house in the street with lights on when the power goes out would be a bonus too.

As would the ability to "charge" the batteries from the mains and load shift, should the sun not be shining. (I think I also read you could charge the batteries at the cheap night rate and sell the power back at the high FIT as well, wouldn't that make mornings more profitable!!).

Oh and my load shifting on the beer fridge is working a charm, had the last beer from a keg last night, and I didn't notice a difference.

[Aussie Keith]

For those that care: http://code.google.com/p/pvbeancounter/

The current implementation works with:
SMA inverters accessible via the SMA utility "Sunny Explorer". It can handle multiple inverters via Sunny Explorer.
Growatt Inverters - single via each RS232 port, multiple via each RS485 port
CMS 2000 and other PhoenixTec inverter models. The test installation is a CMS 2000 with v1.00 firmware. (starting with version 1.7.0.3, PVBC supports multiple CMS inverters). One per rs232 port
Eaton ETN 2000 inverters work using CMS 2000 settings
KLNE Sunstream inverters, one per rs232 port
SAMIL Inverters, one per rs232 port
Inverters monitored using energy meters including: Current Cost; Owl; EW4008 & EW4009
Inverters monitored using an SMA (Sunny) WebBox (starting with version 1.7.0.3, PVBC supports multiple WebBox devices)

Regarding using wireless transmission of inverter performance data (was discussed before), suggest instead considering the EW4009 which has two pickups and monitor that with the software. That will monitor the grid supplied power as as the PV array well so you get a complete picture.

http://www.wattsclever.net.au/

For whatever reason those models are not on their website but Jaycar sell them. I'll be tinkering with this over the weekend and I'll let you know how it works out.

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MS6165&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1003#3
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MS6167&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1003#3

[Dazzler]

Thanks look forward to an update 

[Aussie Keith]

OK here we go. First thing is that its just a logging tool, not a viewing tool. So it collects and forwards data which you can view online here: http://pvoutput.org/

For that you need a free account and then its a matter of uploading data regularly. The E4008 comes with a caveat:

Installation requirements: http://code.google.com/p/pvbeancounter/wiki/PVBeanCounterOverview

Using meters: http://code.google.com/p/pvbeancounter/wiki/ConfigureEW4009Meters

A caveat on the E4008/9 meter as a logging device:

Warning to potential buyers of this device: this meter stores history data at a resolution of 1 day, and is as such unsuitable for historical data retrieval by PVBC. Currently, PVBC does not attempt any historical data retrieval from this meter, not even for the current day.

As such, for most uses with PVBC, this meter is only useful when connected to an always-on PC. As soon as the PC is suspended or shut down, collection will stop and will not be read from the meter once the PC is running again.
 
So as stated unless oyu have it permanetly connected to a machine for logging the value is much less - unless you manually as an automated process. Looking into PVOutput and if it takes CSV files a manual upload now and then might bu of some use. However the data resolution may not be adequate for detailed analysis from this device.

Again, I'll post what I find.

[Aussie Keith]

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2026419

From this post:

I use the SmartNow Current Cost EnviR with Bridge, $189
http://store.smartnow.com.au/product.php?id_product=101
& once setup, it uploads live energy data automatically to PV Output in real time.

PVOutput is a free service for sharing and comparing PV output data (& energy consumption).
http://pvoutput.org/intraday.jsp?id=3350&sid=2606

I use PV Bean Counter, Sunny Explorer & bluetooth connection to upload my Solar Generation when my pc turns on once every day or two.

With this live energy consumption data, i can look back over time and compare my usage to the same time last week, month, year etc.. I can even see in real time when i am using more eg.. its a hot day, 4pm the aircon goes on uses a lot of energy
http://pvoutput.org/intraday.jsp?id=3350&sid=2606&dt=20130226&gs=0&m=0
Same day last year: http://pvoutput.org/intraday.jsp?id=3350&sid=2606&dt=20120226&gs=0&m=0 (note last year i was uploading averages of consumption and not live data, hence the square look)


Something else to look into.

[Aussie Keith]

Here's come more clever stuff: http://store.smartnow.com.au/product.php?id_product=111
http://www.tonido.com.au/smartnowbrain/

http://www.youtube.com/v/dG_yLilvTZg

Needs this, not sure about the bridge: http://store.smartnow.com.au/product.php?id_product=101




What a good idea. Forget the EW4008 then, its nowhere as neat a solution as this. I'm calling these guys on Monday to learns more.

[Dazzler]

Interesting stuff thanks Keith but I think I'll just rely on the inverter's read out and the Historical info on my Aurora bills 

[Aussie Keith]

I've been trying to figure out why the power consumption is vast hence the research which may have got a little out of hand. The EW4008 I bought actually works great but lacks a decent logging option. That's where things started getting out of control. Using the fairly basic software supplied has actually solved the mystery of the missing kWatts. I can see the problem fairly clearly now and it turns out we do use a shedload and so now trying to figure out watt (ahem) to do about it.   

There's a lot of options including some open source / community projects like this one: http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/
 

[Dazzler]

Don't get me wrong, I bought an RS232 to USB lead (Cheap) off eBay and tried with the software that came with our Inverter. But it didn't want to communicate.

Plan B if I got any interesting extra info was to set up some wireless monitor so I will be checking out the info and links you have supplied.  But it does look a bit complicated and potentially expensive.

We have double glazing and use all compact fluro lights and even an LED light in our Kitchen. We also use Master/Slave powerboards with both our larger TV set ups and in my Office with the main PC and peripherals but the place still looks like a Christmas tree when I turn all the overhead lights off 

[Aussie Keith]

Our daily average is 27kWh which is a fair bit for a small house. There's a steady 6-700W draw which is the fridge, stove, comms box (100W all by itself at idle) etc. I was surprised to learn my computer draws 300W when its flat out, 100W other times, more than I thought. Trying now to figure out how to cut back. Maybe get outside more and not sit on the computer so much. 

With the RS232 to USB lead, it simulates a comms port so you need to go set the right port and speed on your laptop/PC in the device manager and in the client software. Won't work otherwise.

[Dazzler]

Maybe get outside more and not sit on the computer so much. 

As long as you keep coming on here 
With the RS232 to USB lead, it simulates a comms port so you need to go set the right port and speed on your laptop/PC in the device manager and in the client software. Won't work otherwise.

Thanks Keith I'll take that into account

[beerman]

I've been trying to figure out why the power consumption is vast hence the research which may have got a little out of hand. The EW4008 I bought actually works great but lacks a decent logging option. That's where things started getting out of control. Using the fairly basic software supplied has actually solved the mystery of the missing kWatts. I can see the problem fairly clearly now and it turns out we do use a shedload and so now trying to figure out watt (ahem) to do about it.   

There's a lot of options including some open source / community projects like this one: http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/

I know why in my house. Kids and wives who won't turn things off after there finished. I forgive Mr 3 and tolerate miss 6.

[Phil №❶]

Our daily average is 27kWh which is a fair bit for a small house. There's a steady 6-700W draw which is the fridge, stove, comms box (100W all by itself at idle) etc. I was surprised to learn my computer draws 300W when its flat out, 100W other times, more than I thought. Trying now to figure out how to cut back. Maybe get outside more and not sit on the computer so much. 

With the RS232 to USB lead, it simulates a comms port so you need to go set the right port and speed on your laptop/PC in the device manager and in the client software. Won't work otherwise.

What is it that you do that requires 300w of power. All our devices are led screen laptops and I find them great for portability and cost saving. I have 1 old tower that doesn't see very much use at all now.

[Aussie Keith]

https://www.youtube.com/v/2QkyfGJgcwQ

[Dazzler]

  that wasn't what I was expecting