Desh

First big road trip done.
Af far as I can tell form the petrol attendants and the EV SA Facebook group, I am the first person to drive from Bloemfontein to Cape Town in a Mini Cooper Electric.
Round trip driving and charging took about 16 hours per 1000km and trip was done from Thursday 5pm and arrived back on Sunday 9AM.  So around 64 hours from departure to arrival and total Km's of 2200km traveled. 


 

 

 

 


Bit tired here. Had 4km to go to reach home at this stage: 

 

A geezer is an old man.
A geyser is a South African term for a hot water storage tank. 
Anyway, the installer should be able to connect the geyser directly to mains (i.e. completely bypassing the inverter). 

Sunsynk 8kw paired with 2 x Hubble AM2s and 16 x 540w JA Solar panels. 

Sure.
First you will need an account with solcast for the forecast. The free account works fine for this, you get 50 api calls I think for free.
Once you have an account, set up a site with your panels total kW capacity and the angle they mounted as well as the direction. Mine is 3900w mounted directly north at around 45 degree angle.
Once done, grab your site as resource_id and the api key.
Then add this to your yaml somewhere (configuration.yaml): Mine is at https://github.com/tinuva/home-assistant-config/blob/master/packages/goodwe_dod.yaml
rest: - resource: !secret solcast_forecast_resource #resource: https://api.solcast.com.au/rooftop_sites/RESOURCE_ID/forecasts?format=json&api_key=API_KEY&hours=72 scan_interval: '00:30:00' # RATE LIMIT! sensor: - name: "Solcast Forecast Data" force_update: true value_template: "{{ value_json.forecasts[0].pv_estimate|round(2) }}" json_attributes: - forecasts - name: "Solcast Forecast 10" force_update: true value_template: "{{ value_json.forecasts[0].pv_estimate10|round(2) }}" - name: "Solcast Forecast 90" force_update: true value_template: "{{ value_json.forecasts[0].pv_estimate90|round(2) }}" Then in the the UI, create a card with the following yaml code to get the graph. Replace the sensor.goodwe_ppv with your own actual solar/pv sensor.
type: custom:apexcharts-card graph_span: 36h span: start: day offset: '-6h' header: show: true title: Solar Production vs. forecast show_states: true now: show: true label: now apex_config: legend: show: true series: - entity: sensor.goodwe_ppv stroke_width: 2 show: extremas: false color: '#FFF700' name: Actual unit: W fill_raw: last extend_to_end: false group_by: func: avg duration: 30min - entity: sensor.solcast_forecast_data stroke_width: 2 show: extremas: false color: '#3498DB' transform: return x * 1000; name: Forecast History unit: W fill_raw: last extend_to_end: false - entity: sensor.solcast_forecast_10 stroke_width: 2 show: extremas: false in_header: false color: '#797D7F' transform: return x * 1000; name: Forecast 10 History unit: W fill_raw: last extend_to_end: false opacity: 0.4 - entity: sensor.solcast_forecast_90 stroke_width: 2 show: extremas: false in_header: false color: '#797D7F' transform: return x * 1000; name: Forecast 90 History unit: W fill_raw: last extend_to_end: false opacity: 0.4 - entity: sensor.solcast_forecast_data stroke_width: 2 show: extremas: false in_header: false color: '#E74C3C' name: Forecast type: line extend_to_end: false unit: W data_generator: | return entity.attributes.forecasts.map((entry) => { return [new Date(entry.period_end), entry.pv_estimate*1000]; }); - entity: sensor.solcast_forecast_data stroke_width: 2 show: extremas: false in_header: false color: '#797D7F' name: Forecast 10 type: line extend_to_end: false unit: W opacity: 0.4 data_generator: | return entity.attributes.forecasts.map((entry) => { return [new Date(entry.period_end), entry.pv_estimate10*1000]; }); - entity: sensor.solcast_forecast_data stroke_width: 2 show: extremas: false in_header: false color: '#797D7F' name: Forecast 90 type: line extend_to_end: false unit: W opacity: 0.4 data_generator: | return entity.attributes.forecasts.map((entry) => { return [new Date(entry.period_end), entry.pv_estimate90*1000]; });  
All of this is based on testing and ideas from https://community.home-assistant.io/t/rest-api-command-platform-fails-on-post-to-external-url-solcast/143238/141

@Nabotech Try reading the three posts prior to your post?
No need to add a Sonoff

You're also able to extract data in an .xls format using the following link: 
https://home.solarmanpv.com/plant/infos/exportdata

Just thought I'd post an update on using the CBI Astute with Home Assistant. I have it working without having to Tasmotize it or open it or do anything silly to it.
I ignored the CBI app and simply added it using the Tuya Smart app. BUT, it didn't seem to like auto-pairing with my phone. (I ended up trying it with CBI app as well to troubleshoot and it didn't work there either). 
What I ended up doing was putting the Astute in AP mode (which doesn't appear to be documented) by holding the power down for 5 secs to put into normal pairing mode, and then holding it down again to put it AP mode (it will slow flash the blue light instead), then add manually in Tuya Smart, I just chose Others (wifi), follow the prompts, connect to the AP (which was SmartLife-2701 for me) and boom! Shows up as ASC (Wifi) with CBI logos and backgrounds in all the right places, with the power monitoring working correctly. 
As for home assistant I haven't gone any further that using the built Tuya integration which only shows it as a switch, but there is something else on HACS called Local Tuya which allows full customisation including power monitoring. I haven't gone down that rabbit-hole yet because it's time for beer.

You aren't really comparing apples with apples. 
 
Assuming you're talking about the geyserwise pv kit, this will generate more power to heat your water. Your listed alternative is another battery, which is storage.
 
If your objective is to save more, get a water heater. If it is to run your house off battery for longer, get a battery. It's not worth it to heat water from a battery. 
 
Personally, I'd add more panels and heat your current geyser through your new system. 

Yet Another Sunsynk Hubble Install.

Consisting of:
12 * 535W JA solar panels
1 * 8kW Sunsynk
2 * Hubble AM-2
and lots and lots of wiring and installation work. Panels are on a smallish section of roof on the 2nd story and inverter is in a detached garage. Old house with lots of challenges...


 
and the dark shot:

 
 
Installation by @Leshen and I'm super happy. I've been constantly checking my solarman app and attempting to adjust my usage to daytime as much as possible which has actually been quite fun. It's great seeing the panels getting used instead of the grid 🙂
 

Thank you @Leshen for the time and effort put into my installation. It may be entry level but I'm really excited. Excellent workmanship from your team and so knowledgeable. I am staring down the rabbit hole now.. thanks lol! Even got my generator to work with the system.. outstanding!
I would never hesitate to recommend Leshen if you are looking into going the inverter/solar route. There are just too many companies/people out there who claim to know what they are doing but just want to make a quick buck and not have the required knowledge or expertise to put an efficient system together nor listen to what their client needs. 
Next step.. another AM-2 and then solar panels

The product has never shown up on the BW website - not good show for BW online team...
I was at BW Edenvale on Friday and they do have some in stock of the DIN rail units @ R349. 
 I also saw something new -  the cBi Astute Isolator switch. I could not see more information as the Astutes are locked in a glass cabinet at BWs. I would guess that it switches both L and N and has higher current capability than the normal Astutes but am open to correction.
An informed source has told me that approx 4000 of the new wall plug Astutes are ready for shipping !
ENERGY MONITORING - YouTube

Hi Rory, it was around the Tuya smart integration to HA if I'm not mistaken. Will PM you.

Thank you Tariq, this is a very handy feature.
 
The play store has the old version.
I downloaded and Installed the version from Solarman, https://www.solarman.cn/enterrace_2.html. With this one I have remote control from my phone. 

Steve and team are really good to ensure that you get great service, as well as provide assistance with numerous technical queries that you may have. I did experience some delays from one of the power forum store's suppliers where I'm still awaiting a functional can bus converter, but they've tried their best to keep the communication and constant updates to me. 

This link should allow you to access the Solarman data from a web browser, just use the same credentials you used for the app https://home.solarmanpv.com/login

You make a few fair points. Our use cases and lifestyles all differ.
For me personally, running a 200l and 150l geyser - which usually consumes around 20kW's per day, I've now been able to reduce this to between 10 and 12kW's per day for both these geysers. The one is scheduled to run an hour and half in the morning, and the second runs for 2 hours in the morning and an hour in the afternoon.
I was targeting a 30% saving after installing these, and am very happy with the results of a 40 to 50% saving.

You make a few fair points. Our use cases and lifestyles all differ.
For me personally, running a 200l and 150l geyser - which usually consumes around 20kW's per day, I've now been able to reduce this to between 10 and 12kW's per day for both these geysers. The one is scheduled to run an hour and half in the morning, and the second runs for 2 hours in the morning and an hour in the afternoon.
I was targeting a 30% saving after installing these, and am very happy with the results of a 40 to 50% saving.

Ah ok. The Astute doesn’t use a clamp, it has a shunt internally to measure current. It then take current and voltage to calculate power and factor with a neat little chip. 
 
My problem with an App based system is that it talks to a service in the cloud (like Tuya) and, should internet go down, so does all your automations. Us “die hards” flash these (and many other) devices with Tasmota, giving you a nice, common platform for stuff from various manufacturers to talk to each other. And to make it pretty, we use Home Assistant to display/control all this stuff, although it’s mostly not critical for that to remain working. Multiple redundancy and everything remains on the local network.
‘I really should do a write up about the benefits of this. I find myself repeating myself frequently.

Hi Guys. My new installation. 24 x 390w JA Mono solar panels with an 8kw Sunsynk inverter and 2 x 5kwh Bull Lithium batteries.  More pics to follow soon...

I'm primarily using home assistant, used the tuya-local integration to access the switch. 

Thank you. Doing the last bit of the installation today. 

Great work! Seems like a lot of work though. 
Managed to find this possible workaround, I've not tested as yet though. 
https://community.home-assistant.io/t/tuya-local-with-energy-monitoring-and-without-tuya-convert/173564/9

The Sonoff with external really is a good option and not too much of a hack to put together, did it for my geysers about a month ago and was very worthwhile has definitely made a difference with my consumption, all in I think it cost me about R475 per geyser.

Just installed a Sunsynk 8kw inverter DIY and want to share some info.
We use about 1000kwh (units) per month in our house so about 33 per day with about half in the day and half after PV hours. This is about average for a family home I recon in SA.
Already have 2 Solar geysers, gas plates and all lights LED.
I wanted to be independent from the grid as much as possible which weighed heavier than economics although my return is still acceptable and higher after tax than any risk free investment. The whole house runs through the inverter including oven, the solar geyser AC elements, all plugs etc. Only the 4 Aircons is supplied before the inverter but with the Sunsynk CT which fit over the supply line the inverter will push electricity to them too if sufficient PV and battery power are available. I have one normal plug before inverter for if I have to weld or use heavy machinery.
I Installed:
Sunsynk 8kw  Brilliant inverter easy to do DIY and with help from Powerforum posts.
Jinko Mono Cheetah 400w panels * 18 - Connected in 2 series - 9 each. 9 panels in series match perfectly, max voltage around 410V real life in October (Sunsynk specs max 450V) and producing 97% of rated panel watts (3500w per string) max.  Fitted on aluminium rails on tile roof. Fitting the brackets under tiles is quite a job got my son to do that. 6mm PV cable running in PVC conduit from panels to inverter.
One set is facing West and the other facing North. I think if you can get East and west facing panels that is ideal, as you need PV power early in the morning to charge low batteries and then you want to produce as late as possible in the afternoon to have full batteries going into evening. Although not the ideal orientation PV panels are cheaper than additional batteries.
Pylontech US3000 * 5 These batteries when 100% charged at 5pm run the whole house through the night (have about 20 outside lights 3 pc's etc) and start to charge at 6am from west panels on around 30% SOC in October.
By 11:30 am the batteries are normally 100% charged, then I boost the geysers through Geyserwise on free electricity to increase their temperature so that they are still warm in the morning.
PV protection DB with fuses, surge arrestors and DC isolators.
Fuse and isolator between Batteries and Inverter
Grounding ROD and all earth wiring.
AC CB and change over switch etc in AC DB with relay for earth neutral bond
 
Total cost about R 210 000 (ex own labour) except for heavy overcast days I am not using any power from Tshwane, bill was about R1800-R2000 per month.
The feeling when the kettle and iron etc are on during the day and you know that it is not costing you anything (yes i know it is kinda) is priceless.