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I think PV helps consumers change mindset

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 9:51 am
by Gareth J
As I fannied about with the dishwasher, while I waited for the kettle to finish boiling so I could pop the toaster down this morning - in an attempt to minimise imported electric, (it's sunny) I thought that this mindset change is an undervalued byproduct of consumers having their own small generators.

I imagine most people on this forum have similar thoughts/motivations. When there was no incentive to spread electric load (except maybe to not overload house wiring) or to even consider when might be a "good" time to choose to use a bunch of kWh (except E7 and E10 tarrifs), what was the point in caring when you turned stuff on/off. I never gave it a thought, still don't if it's dark and I want simultaneous coffee and toast. Having solar has changed my mindset to someone who will be much more receptive to TOU tarriffs, usage incentives/disincentives that, if what I understand about the future of the grid is right, will need to be embraced.

Every home should have some.

Re: I think PV helps consumers change mindset

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 10:30 am
by Joeboy
Gareth J wrote: Fri Apr 29, 2022 9:51 am As I fannied about with the dishwasher, while I waited for the kettle to finish boiling so I could pop the toaster down this morning - in an attempt to minimise imported electric, (it's sunny) I thought that this mindset change is an undervalued byproduct of consumers having their own small generators.

I imagine most people on this forum have similar thoughts/motivations. When there was no incentive to spread electric load (except maybe to not overload house wiring) or to even consider when might be a "good" time to choose to use a bunch of kWh (except E7 and E10 tarrifs), what was the point in caring when you turned stuff on/off. I never gave it a thought, still don't if it's dark and I want simultaneous coffee and toast. Having solar has changed my mindset to someone who will be much more receptive to TOU tarriffs, usage incentives/disincentives that, if what I understand about the future of the grid is right, will need to be embraced.

Every home should have some.
Absolutely agree. For me it's a 'skin in the game' thing. My son does the same, he has lived it with me and has Ripple Kirkhill at a couple grand (his name is Martin Nowty, for the list). I am continuing to send the PV at home to various places as and when its needed from here in Turkey. I find the remote access side of it all to be an outstanding advance.

Going forward i hope to be a grid balancer assistant and only draw from grid at late dark.o'clock.

Re: I think PV helps consumers change mindset

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 12:19 pm
by nowty
Joeboy wrote: Fri Apr 29, 2022 10:30 am
Absolutely agree. For me it's a 'skin in the game' thing. My son does the same, he has lived it with me and has Ripple Kirkhill at a couple grand (his name is Martin Nowty, for the list).
Ahh but is he registered on this forum ?, you can PM me with his username if he is.

Even my fathers not on the list cos he's not on here. :lol:
And he don't believe in climate change, but he liked his first WT1 rebate and my Telsa. So even non believers can be coaxed to be green. :mrgreen:

Re: I think PV helps consumers change mindset

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 1:18 pm
by Moxi
Its my favourite game and even the wife is starting to play it, watching the meters till we hit circa 200 watts is how the day starts - after that we are on home power as long as we don't add to the base load then juggling loads to prioritise things as the sun get higher (or the light improves on dull days) then comes the magic around 12 - 2pm (depending on the time of year) as the light hits the west faced main array and the meters pick up further, the its time to wash, cook extra meals, hoover, charge batteries etc etc

My biggest problem as always is having sufficient small loads or one large load that I can bring on incrementally - this used to be eased by the load diverter but since thats been off from Monday we have really realised how much we miss it - so this weekend will be more fiddling to try and get it back functioning again.

Adding to this thread what do others use as their main energy monitoring system that works with the solar input etc? I see some lovely screen shots of graphs and graphics but never seem to find anything that can bring all the pieces together so to speak - bear in mind I am pants when it comes to automation and control systems so could have been looking in the wrong places on the web

Moxi

Re: I think PV helps consumers change mindset

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 2:48 pm
by Fintray
Moxi wrote: Fri Apr 29, 2022 1:18 pm Adding to this thread what do others use as their main energy monitoring system that works with the solar input etc? I see some lovely screen shots of graphs and graphics but never seem to find anything that can bring all the pieces together so to speak - bear in mind I am pants when it comes to automation and control systems so could have been looking in the wrong places on the web

Moxi
I use equipment from here Moxi:
https://openenergymonitor.org/

Re: I think PV helps consumers change mindset

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 3:20 pm
by Joeboy
nowty wrote: Fri Apr 29, 2022 12:19 pm
Joeboy wrote: Fri Apr 29, 2022 10:30 am
Absolutely agree. For me it's a 'skin in the game' thing. My son does the same, he has lived it with me and has Ripple Kirkhill at a couple grand (his name is Martin Nowty, for the list).
Ahh but is he registered on this forum ?, you can PM me with his username if he is.

Even my fathers not on the list cos he's not on here. :lol:
And he don't believe in climate change, but he liked his first WT1 rebate and my Telsa. So even non believers can be coaxed to be green. :mrgreen:
Harsh but fair! :) He shall remain off list.

Re: I think PV helps consumers change mindset

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 3:30 pm
by Joeboy
Fintray wrote: Fri Apr 29, 2022 2:48 pm
Moxi wrote: Fri Apr 29, 2022 1:18 pm Adding to this thread what do others use as their main energy monitoring system that works with the solar input etc? I see some lovely screen shots of graphs and graphics but never seem to find anything that can bring all the pieces together so to speak - bear in mind I am pants when it comes to automation and control systems so could have been looking in the wrong places on the web

Moxi
I use equipment from here Moxi:
https://openenergymonitor.org/
Nice one Fintray I'll have a swatch at that next couple of days. At the moment I am all different apps.

Solaredge for PV
Easeeone for EV
Goodwe for battery soc and grid load
Hive for home temp and SH and iboost switch control
Switchbot for solar iboost manual over ride/demand
Ripple website for daily take
Octopus for daily use

The only system I cannot monitor is the Victron array, for that I rely on the goodwe unit showing stack soc and load outflowing from stack and solaredge incoming.
This way on a good day I can be moving over 7kW around in the house even from remote locations without touching grid.

Image

Re: I think PV helps consumers change mindset

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 4:17 pm
by Moxi
Hey JB, enrol your son into the forum and tell him its his birthday present - win win! ;) :lol: quality present (its like the encyclopaedia britanica for all things green/ self sufficient and Nowty can put him on the shhhhhhh :roll: secret list ;)

Moxi

Re: I think PV helps consumers change mindset

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 4:53 pm
by Moxi
Fintray,

Thanks for that, I'm already busy reading this web site.

Moxi

Re: I think PV helps consumers change mindset

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 10:08 pm
by ALAN/ALAN D
I fitted a 2 K.W. P.V. system for a Lady down the road today.
I think whats going on in her Mind needs to change a little bit.
After I explaned how it all works. She said.
" Thats great. Tonight when I get home I will be able to use all that extra power "

Im going to fit a Solic 200 diverter water tank controller. So that when she gets
home of a Night Time. She can use all that extra power in the Bath. :lol: