A website called PV Output www.pvoutput.org is an online solar monitoring portal, where solar owners from all over the world input data on a daily basis. If that bores you, stop reading now.
Now, some people have set it up to automatically transfer the data from solar inverters to the website, others input manually. Every day.
Since 11th July 2011, we have been adding data for The Solar Shed’s 2kw slightly shaded string PV system. The picture was taken at the end of a long summers day and demonstrates the output loss by a single overhead cable.
Since June 2018 we have been adding data from Brighton House’s 4kw Enphase Micro-Inverter system. That’s the one with the big old battery that has taken us virtually off the grid for 6 months of the year, with free motoring as well. Remember, we fill up for free with Solar.
Through PV OUTPUT we can make direct comparisons between the different technologies and show clients what it all means to them, their individual situation and their costs vs benefits.
If you are a solar owner, have a look at how your system compares to others. You can sort by geographical area to make direct comparisons with solar owners in your postcode, or compare a similar sized system in Sydney or Barbados. You’ll be surprised as to how much energy the UK can create compared to what many consider to be sunnier countries!
If you have invited a salesman or women to your house to discuss solar, have PV OUTPUT open and at hand, then see for yourself what products work well where you live. Tens of Thousands of other people have been inputting data for over 10 yrs now, in countries all over Planet Earth.
The Solar Nation installers https://www.thesolarshed.co.uk/solar-nation/ will have access to various monitoring platforms and also have their favourite technology they like to install, but having first hand information before making a purchase is key to a successful investment.
A more comprehensive data capture and monitoring tool does not exist in my opinion. This is real data from real people who have no interest in reporting anything other the facts.
Those who already have solar will no doubt be monitoring their own system through an online portal associated to the inverter technology so they can control their own energy usage in accordance with solar gain. Battery owners get added benefits and luxuries, discussed elsewhere on this blog. But to those of you embarking on the solar home makeover, it doesn’t hurt to know what you’ll be getting for your money.
www.pvoutput.org
Kevin