Saw this on MyBB this morning:  SunShift Solar Management

 

Quote

Our machine learning algorithms consider weather forecasts, solar forecasts, electricity usage predictions, and even load-shedding schedules, automatically adjusting inverter settings to ensure your battery is utilised efficiently.

A colleague of mine has a Victron system and its software already provides most of these features. I wonder how long before Sunsynk and the other major brands will make these features standard within their own inverter software. Sunsynk announced earlier this year that they were developing integration to the EskomSePush API for SA.

Sunsynk can't do a "migration", I highly doubt they'll do anything this sophisticated with any degree of competence.

SA's development cadence on the other hand suggests they'll actually be able to deliver on something like this

On 2023/11/16 at 10:51 AM, BenS said:

Saw this on MyBB this morning:  SunShift Solar Management

 

A colleague of mine has a Victron system and its software already provides most of these features. I wonder how long before Sunsynk and the other major brands will make these features standard within their own inverter software. Sunsynk announced earlier this year that they were developing integration to the EskomSePush API for SA.

I saw the article as well. I agree some of the inverter systems may include some basic features like the time of use system modes on Sunsynk, but the way I understand the article is that there is far more on offer from SunShift than integration with the EskomSePush API, and I don't have to be involved on a day to day basis with my inverter settings anymore.

Only using your system to prep for loadshedding will give a minimal additional return, as I have found through manually managing my SunSynk system the key lies in recovering from loadshedding. It is quite a manual process every day, and many of the appliances in my house are on timers to help with my prediction in terms of the load. If SunShift really can predict loads to some degree of accuracy and stays well within the battery warranty specs so that they don't kill my battery and the system automatically changes my inverter settings for me, then that is already a product worth buying in my opinion. 

To really sell me on the system, I want to know if the weather, solar, and load predictions are being used to prep and recover from loadshedding intelligently because if the system will just drain my battery by default and then charge it just before loadshedding not taking into account if it is charging from the grid or solar then there is still work to be done.

On 2023/11/16 at 11:06 AM, madness_za said:

Sunsynk can't do a "migration", I highly doubt they'll do anything this sophisticated with any degree of competence.

SA's development cadence on the other hand suggests they'll actually be able to deliver on something like this

I share a similar sentiment. In the South African context, solar installations have predominantly been tailored to address the challenges posed by load shedding, often overlooking the meticulous adherence to battery warranty conditions and Return on Investment (ROI) considerations. Given the lucrative nature of the energy market, manufacturers may find it more expedient to focus on selling energy solutions rather than allocating resources to develop sophisticated solar management solutions. The complexity of this issue, coupled with the ease of making profits through conventional means, may indeed deter extensive investment in innovative solutions. However, the potential repercussions of neglecting proper solar energy management, such as the premature replacement of panels and batteries due to misuse and degradation, could pose significant costly challenges down the line. While manufacturers may not currently prioritise this aspect, it remains crucial for homeowners to consider the long-term implications from the outset. SunShift seems appealing, especially if it can control loads (E.g. Geysers), as mentioned in the article, as I preferred it over a split load configurations.

On 2023/11/18 at 9:55 AM, MaryJane said:

I saw the article as well. I agree some of the inverter systems may include some basic features like the time of use system modes on Sunsynk, but the way I understand the article is that there is far more on offer from SunShift than integration with the EskomSePush API, and I don't have to be involved on a day to day basis with my inverter settings anymore.

Only using your system to prep for loadshedding will give a minimal additional return, as I have found through manually managing my SunSynk system the key lies in recovering from loadshedding. It is quite a manual process every day, and many of the appliances in my house are on timers to help with my prediction in terms of the load. If SunShift really can predict loads to some degree of accuracy and stays well within the battery warranty specs so that they don't kill my battery and the system automatically changes my inverter settings for me, then that is already a product worth buying in my opinion. 

To really sell me on the system, I want to know if the weather, solar, and load predictions are being used to prep and recover from loadshedding intelligently because if the system will just drain my battery by default and then charge it just before loadshedding not taking into account if it is charging from the grid or solar then there is still work to be done.

I do have a few answers: My solar journey began with the primary goal of gradually reducing dependence on a faltering power infrastructure and addressing the persistent issues with Eskom. The focus was not necessarily to combat load shedding, as I already had a sizable generator in my setup before aquiring solar. My system comprises of a 16kW Sunsynk inverter, solar panels, and 20kWh batteries. It is integrated with Home Assistant (HA) through SolarSynk. My Home Assistant setup includes a solar forecast/weather model, load shedding schedules, and the management of numerous Sonoff devices, controlling power-consuming devices such as pumps, heaters, fans, geysers, irrigation systems, misting systems, plugs, lights, and the generator.

However, a significant limitation arises in the event of a Sunsynk cloud failure, leaving no alternative means of inverter control beyond manual configuration. To address this and enhance load user profiles, I explored SunShift as a solution instead of e.g. an EDGE-type HA Raspberry Pi.

I specifically requested a Wi-Fi-enabled SunShift, in addition to GSM, due to the unreliability of my GSM/LTE during prolonged load shedding periods. I also requested a Modbus interface for interfacing directly to the inverter Modbus port. The inclusion of a Modbus interface was crucial to retain my Sunsynk Wi-Fi dongle, providing access to both Sunsynk and SunShift data.

After switch-on, SunShift went through my inverter settings and changed them and they are now NRS 097 compliant. A week later I observed far more dynamic adjustments to State of Charge (SoC) values based on my user load profile. The effect of Solar Forecast and Load Shedding schedules changes are far easier to detect. Notably, SunShift strictly manages the Depth of Discharge (DoD) within battery warranty specifications—an aspect often overlooked by many installers.

The daily E-mail reporting from SunShift has proven beneficial, offering valuable metrics and cost-saving calculations ably supported by the mobile app. Encouraged by my early successes, I expanded my system by acquiring a temperature sensor to monitor the batteries (the warranty requirement is 25°C for the specified charge and discharge cycles) and a Kinetic Control Device. The Xemote devices were seamlessly integrated with SunShift, requiring no complicated pairing or configuration whatsoever. The KCD device was connected to one of the geysers, with increased current capability facilitated by a contactor.

So far, I have received excellent service from Xemote, and I have good reason to believe that SunShift will prove to be a worthwhile investment, paying for itself over time while optimising energy availability and protecting the batteries, without my intervention.

On 2024/02/20 at 8:45 AM, SolarIoT said:

I do have a few answers: My solar journey began with the primary goal of gradually reducing dependence on a faltering power infrastructure and addressing the persistent issues with Eskom. The focus was not necessarily to combat load shedding, as I already had a sizable generator in my setup before aquiring solar. My system comprises of a 16kW Sunsynk inverter, solar panels, and 20kWh batteries. It is integrated with Home Assistant (HA) through SolarSynk. My Home Assistant setup includes a solar forecast/weather model, load shedding schedules, and the management of numerous Sonoff devices, controlling power-consuming devices such as pumps, heaters, fans, geysers, irrigation systems, misting systems, plugs, lights, and the generator.

However, a significant limitation arises in the event of a Sunsynk cloud failure, leaving no alternative means of inverter control beyond manual configuration. To address this and enhance load user profiles, I explored SunShift as a solution instead of e.g. an EDGE-type HA Raspberry Pi.

I specifically requested a Wi-Fi-enabled SunShift, in addition to GSM, due to the unreliability of my GSM/LTE during prolonged load shedding periods. I also requested a Modbus interface for interfacing directly to the inverter Modbus port. The inclusion of a Modbus interface was crucial to retain my Sunsynk Wi-Fi dongle, providing access to both Sunsynk and SunShift data.

After switch-on, SunShift went through my inverter settings and changed them and they are now NRS 097 compliant. A week later I observed far more dynamic adjustments to State of Charge (SoC) values based on my user load profile. The effect of Solar Forecast and Load Shedding schedules changes are far easier to detect. Notably, SunShift strictly manages the Depth of Discharge (DoD) within battery warranty specifications—an aspect often overlooked by many installers.

The daily E-mail reporting from SunShift has proven beneficial, offering valuable metrics and cost-saving calculations ably supported by the mobile app. Encouraged by my early successes, I expanded my system by acquiring a temperature sensor to monitor the batteries (the warranty requirement is 25°C for the specified charge and discharge cycles) and a Kinetic Control Device. The Xemote devices were seamlessly integrated with SunShift, requiring no complicated pairing or configuration whatsoever. The KCD device was connected to one of the geysers, with increased current capability facilitated by a contactor.

So far, I have received excellent service from Xemote, and I have good reason to believe that SunShift will prove to be a worthwhile investment, paying for itself over time while optimising energy availability and protecting the batteries, without my intervention.

Just to put a few things aside. NRS 097 is all about the interconnection between a SSEG and the grid, where the SSEG can be a generator, inverter etc. 

Now there is a requirement for NRS 097 stating that live and neutral to the grid must both have 2 series connected automated disconnect switches. Live should have 2 automated series switches controlled by the inverter as well as the neutral. There should also be a neutral earth bonding relay for islandng. 

If this is not additionally installed on the installation, no setting can make the setup NRS 097 complaint. 

If the inverter states NRS compliance it doesn't mean the installation is.

From history and seeing installations, there are very little installations actually NRS compliant. Victron (newer generations such as the multilus ii) and some other transformer coupled inverters is the only brands i know of that have all the necessary automated and bonding switches inside. With no external switches required.

This is the exact reason why cape town now requires electrical engineer approval as well as approval at the council.