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Yip, just updated my Solar-Assistant and all the sensors for the energy dashboard are there!

Thank You. I was the post last, so I requested access to the Beta....

Hello First, thank you to everyone for their help, comments, criticism, and questions along this journey. As a complete amateur with all things solar, this forum has been a source of information in helping me along the journey. Also, a big thanks for Steve for all the chats and advice along the way. Current Install 1 x 8 KW Sunsynk Invertor 2 x Hubble AM2 5.5 10 x JA 540 East, West Tile roof Reason for Install I am a work from home employee and has been for the last nine years already. I live in PMB on the border of the suburbs of Clarendon and Prestbury, and with PMB being in the current situation, we suffered outages more than 5 hours quite frequently. So not only did load shedding cause issues, but so did the lack of maintenance on the current electricity supply. To make matters worse, when the power goes out, the cell phone signal drops as well, so I cannot work at all. Scope of Install and selecting an installer The initial plan was to only install the invertor and batteries, but after chatting to Steve, I agreed to add panels to help me recover some of my investment at least. In terms of sizing, I knew our house uses quite a bit of electricity, so I went as big as the budget allowed in terms of batteries and invertor. The panels I decided on the JA 540's since roof space is limited. On the selection of installer, my first port of call was calling an electrician that previously ran neutrals to my light switches. He recommended an installer that recently left a large solar install company and started his own business. He came out and quoted and seemed very keen. However, he was not an electrician, and was not a certified installer. After chatting to Steve, he recommended Hendrik from HGP electrical. Hendrik is a qualified electrician and a certified installer. Hendrik made contact, quoted me on the install, and explained all the SANS regulations that needed to be complied with to issue a COC at the end. Hendrik quoted for the install, and I accepted. Disclaimer: HGP's quote was much higher than the quote received from the non-certified installer. However, I received a full breakdown of material and labor costs, so there was a reason for this higher quote. Install Process and 1st Load Shedding After the receiving the Invertor and batteries, arrangements were made with Hendrik to start the install. Hendrik and an assistant arrived, and the install was a go! My whole house is on essential load, except for a 24 000 BTU AC unit in my living room. Hendrik did not want to exceed 32Amps on the invertor, so we played it safe. I am however monitoring the load with Node Red, and have some automations configured to reduce load, should we get close to the invertor rated capacity. Once again, with Node Red, I power off the geyser and pool pump, should we have a loss of grid. The first night of load shedding, and the invertor installed, was pure bliss! We had the over going, load shedding kicked in, and the house kept on running without any dips. The oven ran for 35 minutes, and after load shedding, we used about 30% of the battery capacity. Last weekend we were blessed with a 5-hour outage, and once again, no issues. To say that I am impressed, is an understatement. With the initial install of batteries and invertor complete, and the panels still awaiting delivery, Hendrik was scheduled to complete the install this week. After about two days, the panels were fitted, and I could see some black magic happening between the sun and the panels. I am posting some screenshots below from Solar-Assistant below. Today is raining and overcast, so the yield is iffy. Future Expansion A third battery has been ordered, and I am awaiting a quote on some additional panels. My panels are facing east and west, and I would like to decrease my reliance on the grid. Please note, I am decreasing my grid reliance without any changes on the household. I am not asking the wife to not run the tumble-dryer at 6am in the morning, nor I am scheduling the geyser on a timer. Final Thoughts I was warned that this a rabbit hole, and it's so true. The feeling of not having to be worried about the electricity supply is refreshing. At the same time, it is incredibly sad. Having to install expensive equipment for the sake of having stable electricity, should not be the norm! Ok, enough ramblings. Hopefully, someone finds this post helpful.

Ok, time for an update. 10 x JA 540W panels are installed! Pictured is the west side. East is the same setup. Requested a quote on some additional panels, so the installer did not trim the rails on the left hand side. Most of the wiring is complete. The sprag was incorrectly supplied at 32mm and not 20mm, so the sprag needs to be changed in the trunking and run all the way to the invertor. I have ordered an additional battery for commissioning in the new year. The isolators will move the above the trunking to make space for the third battery. Will post my thoughts on the whole solar experience in a separate thread.

Thank You! You put me on the correct path. Template is as follows: battery_energy_in: unique_id: battery_power_in value_template: >- {% set power = states('sensor.battery_power') | float %} {% if power > 0.0 %} {{ states('sensor.battery_power')|float }} {% else %} 0.0 {% endif %} device_class: Power unit_of_measurement: 'W' battery_energy_out: unique_id: battery_energy_out value_template: >- {% set power = states('sensor.battery_power') | float %} {% if power < 0.0 %} {{ (states('sensor.battery_power')|float * -1) }} {% else %} 0.0 {% endif %} device_class: Power unit_of_measurement: 'W'

Just an update. When battery is providing load, the Battery power displays a negative load. When battery is receiving load to charge, the value is positive.

Hi All This might be a stupid question, but I am not winning with this simple integration in Home Assistant. With Solar Assistant, all the load sensors are created with Watt as the unit. I convert these sensors to KW via means of an integration sensor as follows: - platform: integration source: sensor.battery_power name: Battery Power unit_prefix: k method: left round: 2 This allows me to add the relevant sensors to the Home Assistant Energy Dashboard. The one that has me stumped though is the battery. Home Assistant requires a battery in and battery out sensor. The Battery out I configure with the sensor as above, however, which sensor is used to define the power going into the battery? I can only see the following sensors from Solar Assistant with MQTT: Does anyone have any tips?

Mine is separated. Also, when the panels are being installed, all the DC wires in the trunking will be in metal sprague.

Not to Worry, No AC and DC are combined in the trunking

Indeed, it was fitted over the old DB. Will take a photo the next time Hendrik is here. Still need to replace some plugs MCB with 25A breakers.

Ok, time for an update. I am now officially no longer affected by load shedding! Panels are hopefully arriving this week, which means I can recoup some of my investment at least. New DB installed and labelled. Still required is sealing around the trunking. Existing loads are fed from the cavity where the old DB was. Inverter supply and feed located in trunking, with spare trunking for future use. All the existing conduits feeding the old DB was full. Trunking for PV still needs to be installed, and some glands and sprag(spelling?) is still required. Some additional cleaning be done as well. I need to tidy up my Raspberry power supply wiring and RIOT unit still needs to be installed. So far I am extremely happy with the workmanship and attention to detail. Hendrik (the electrician doing the install) really ensures that everything is done correctly, and aesthetically pleasing.

o-line https://www.o-line.co.za/

Invertor and Municipal Disconnects.

I made my requirements clear to the electrician from the start. No 45 mitre joints!

DB Board is a Gewiss from ACDC. I could not find a Hager unit locally. All MCB's are Gewiss as well. The board next to the inverter is the PV combiner. That is from PowerForum Store