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measure solar power

Posted: Monday 14 November 2016 15:47
by ThuloBhai
Hi all,

I'm new to PI and domoticz and I'd like to use it to measure my smartmeter and the output from my solarpanels. To measure the smartmeter I use this cable: https://www.sossolutions.nl/slimme-meter-kabel and that's working fine!

But i'd also like to measure the direct output from my solarpanels. I have a kwh-meter installed (this one: https://www.shopelektro.nl/index.php/gr ... oCVeTw_wcB

My question is if it is possible to connect this meter directly to a raspberry pi (3b) and if so which ports to use...

Thanks in advance,
koen

Re: measure solar power

Posted: Monday 14 November 2016 15:56
by Westcott
Which inverter do you have?
Does it have any data outputs?

Re: measure solar power

Posted: Monday 14 November 2016 15:58
by ThuloBhai
I have a stecagrid coolcept inverter, it has no output at all (except the led display it has), that's why the KWH meter is installed.

Re: measure solar power

Posted: Monday 14 November 2016 19:51
by Derik
Perhaps try the Solarmeter with a arduino..
https://solarmeter.codeplex.com/
Upload your data with very nice graphs...:-)

And then import the data from PV output to domoticz..
Works like a charme

better solution, your arduino upload separate from Domoticz the solardata
http://pvoutput.org/ladder.jsp?tid=564

When you buy a other S0 counter you can upload your usage and Pvo make your netto visible.
http://www.youless.nl/winkel/product/kWh-meter.html

Like my solarpower!!!

Re: measure solar power

Posted: Monday 14 November 2016 21:32
by Toulon7559
@ThuloBhai

Sure the kWh-meter with it's S0-interface provides the quickest gateway to measuring the AC-output of your inverter, with Arduino&Solarmeter, but also with Raspberry&Domoticz [just search at this forum for the implementation of S0-interface-handling, e.g. here].

Direct read-out of the inverter usually provides some additional information about the 'internal affairs' of the inverter.
According to the STECA-website, the STECA Coolconcept devices seem to have a Communicationsinterface with following characteristics:
- RS-485 (2 x RJ45 sockets; connectable to Meteocontrol WEB‘log or Solar-Log™),
- Ethernet interface (1 x RJ45),
- Modbus RTU (1 x RJ10 socket: connectable to energy counter)
That description could imply that direct access is technically possible for read-out, but first you have to check from your supplier, which interfaces are 'active' and/or how they can be activated.
The Ethernet interface @ RJ45 may give you a complete&ready web-like picture, but not for registration of data, while the other RJ45-interfaces will require a compatible software interface. Meteocontrol WEB'log and Solar-Log @ RJ45 is clear: look at internet and/or ask your supplier.
The description for Modbus_RTU is somewhat ambiguous, because RJ10 as interface ...?
If you want to apply Modbus RTU @ RJ10-socket, first get hold of the Interface Diagram & Pin Layout and the Protocol Descriptions, and subsequently with either an Arduino&Solarmeter or a Raspberry&Domoticz/Python (plus DIY-software-effort), you may get direct access to the inverter-information.
Not only at this Domoticz-forum, but e.g. also at the WijHebbenZon-Forum applicable configurations might be found (and people prepared to assist you in finding solutions).