Inverter fault

[Ampster]

You appear to be on TOU-C which has a baseline allowance. The only way to tell if that is better than TOU-C is to estimate how close you will come to that allowance. So far no one here has offered any experience with programming a Solaredge inverter with LG Chem batteries. All I can presume is that the inverter is a Storedge model and that the programming is done with the inverter interface.
I have no experience with that model but if you don't have the manual, it can be downloaded. At least that would give you a sense for how it can be programmed. Then you could quote parts of the manual to tell them how to do it. Also a few well crafted searches on the Internet may give you a better way to approach Vivent for access to programming the inverter to optimize what you are paying for. They are part of Sunrun now.

[Veger70]

You appear to be on TOU-C which has a baseline allowance. The only way to tell if that is better than TOU-C is to estimate how close you will come to that allowance. So far no one here has offered any experience with programming a Solaredge inverter with LG Chem batteries. All I can presume is that the inverter is a Storedge model and that the programming is done with the inverter interface.
I have no experience with that model but if you don't have the manual, it can be downloaded. At least that would give you a sense for how it can be programmed. Then you could quote parts of the manual to tell them how to do it. Also a few well crafted searches on the Internet may give you a better way to approach Vivent for access to programming the inverter to optimize what you are paying for. They are part of Sunrun now.

The inverter is a INVERTER - (2) SolarEdge Technologies SE7600A-USS2RNCY2
so you don’t use the SolarEdge website to program the inverter? Is it done manually at the inverter? I downloaded the manual and it only has installation info and how to communicate with the inverter no information on programming it.

[Ampster]

Perhaps there is a separate programing manual. I was responding to your statement that Vivint did not know how to program it. I am just trying to apply general problem solving methods to your issue. I don't have any more ideas except what I suggested earlier about using an Internet search to find someone who may have found a solution to your issue.

The Solaredge site has lots of information. I only have their GT models and yes the programming is much easier via the web.

[Veger70]

Perhaps there is a separate programing manual. I was responding to your statement that Vivint did not know how to program it. I am just trying to apply general problem solving methods to your issue. I don't have any more ideas except what I suggested earlier about using an Internet search to find someone who may have found a solution to your issue.

The Solaredge site has lots of information. I only have their GT models and yes the programming is much easier via the web.

Vivint didn’t say they don’t know how to program it, they said I cannot have access to the SolarEdge monitoring software. They are putting me in contact with a “specialist” lol by Wednesday we will see.
I'm assuming it has to do with SolarEdge Charge/Discharge Modes as shown on page 40 of this https://www.solaredge.com/sites/defa...n_guide_na.pdf
I’m hopping someone has knowledge of configuring these profiles to maximize battery use for peak times so I can speak to the tech’s from a place of knowledge rather than relying on them to tell what’s possible.

[Ampster]

Vivint didn’t say they don’t know how to program it, they said I cannot have access to the SolarEdge monitoring software. They are putting me in contact with a “specialist” lol by Wednesday we will see.
I'm assuming it has to do with SolarEdge Charge/Discharge Modes as shown on page 40 of this https://www.solaredge.com/sites/defa...n_guide_na.pdf
I’m hopping someone has knowledge of configuring these profiles to maximize battery use for peak times so I can speak to the tech’s from a place of knowledge rather than relying on them to tell what’s possible.

I may have misunderstood about them knowing how to program.

In response to one of your earlier questions, you should tell them that you are on PG&E TOU-C and what the peak rate period is that applies to that schedule. An earlier post suggested to me that they may have made an assumption that you were on a different rate schedule. Also TOU-C does have a baseline allowance and that would be a good reason, as @Soby suggested, to program the inverter for maximum self consumption. It should be your choice about how much reserve to keep for backup. Since you are leasing the system, you should not worry about wearing out the battery. That is between Vivent and LG Chem.

That PDF is a good read and together with the advice you previously got from @Soby you should have everything you need to have a good discussion with the tech. If you need any help understanding the PG&E bill and how the SCP portion relates to that, I may be able to help. For simplicity you can just use the PG&E rates on the first few pages of your bill and know that you are saving money with SCP. On an ongoing basis track your net consumption and the running estimate of your True Up estimate which appears on each monthly bill. Also, know that the rates will change and the time periods will shift as well over time.

[Veger70]

An earlier post suggested to me that they may have made an assumption that you were on a different rate schedule. Also TOU-C does have a baseline allowance and that would be a good reason, as @Soby suggested, to program the inverter for maximum self consumption. It should be your choice about how much reserve to keep for backup. Since you are leasing the system, you should not worry about wearing out the battery. That is between Vivent and LG Chem.

we are on a TOU-C as shown below. Could you explain why the TOC allowance could be a reason it would be beneficial to me to use maximum consumption?

1C6F49D9-8964-46C7-AC20-4C38688AD5B0.jpeg

[Ampster]

we are on a TOU-C as shown below. Could you explain why the TOC allowance could be a reason it would be beneficial to me to use maximum consumption?

The attachment says TOUB which according to my information says no baseline allowance so that is a moot point unless you have more recent information. Have you changed rate plans? You can log onto your account at PGE and verify which plan you are on today. It is on the right hand side after you log on to your account.
I see that you previously had a 2kW system that did not generate enough to offset usage during the highest solar generation time in June-July.
Did Vivint give you an estimate of production on a monthly basis? I would start there or go to pvwatts and get one for your system and see if it will generate enough to cover the consumption shown in your chart.
The most important thing to start with is to confirm that Vivint has the correct peak rate period entered into your system. Then they should be able to tell you if your system has enough capacity and can be programmed to cover your usage during those peak rate periods and how much of the off peak usage. Just looking at your data your new system should be able to knock off the all of the 10 kWhrs average of peak daily usage in June and some of the off peak usage.

[Veger70]

The attachment says TOUB which according to my information says no baseline allowance so that is a moot point unless you have more recent information. Have you changed rate plans? You can log onto your account at PGE and verify which plan you are on today. It is on the right hand side after you log on to your account.
I see that you previously had a 2kW system that did not generate enough to offset usage during the highest solar generation time in June-July.
Did Vivint give you and estimate of production on a monthly basis? I would start there or go to pvwatts and get one for your system and see if it will generate enough to cover the consumption shown in your chart.
The most important thing to start with is to confirm that Vivint has the correct peak rate period entered into your system. Then they should be able to tell you if your system has enough capacity and can be programmed to cover your usage during those peak rate periods and how much of the off peak usage. Just looking at your data your new system should be able to knock off the all of the 10 kWhrs average of peak daily usage in June and some of the off peak usage.

I was confusing the terminology we are on a TOUB. Vivent installed the new system along side our old we have both now totaling 12kWh. I will verify what peak rate Vivint has us set on. So I’m on TOUB and 12 kWh should cover our 10kwh average usage?

[Ampster]

I was confusing the terminology we are on a TOUB. Vivent installed the new system along side our old we have both now totaling 12kWh. I will verify what peak rate Vivint has us set on. So I’m on TOUB and 12 kWh should cover our 10kwh average usage?

No Worries. This stuff is confusing and PG&E doesn't make it any clearer on their bill. Although that summary your posted will be the most meaningful indication of how you are doing during the next year.
It is important to distinguish system size in kW and consumption in kWhs. That figure of 10kWhrs was just an average in June after generation.
Here are some general assumptions for planning purposes that use assumptions about annual consumption and generation.
Using a rough rule of thumb that you might get 1500 kwhs for every kW of installed solar panel capacity you might be able to generate 18,000 kWhrs in a year from the 12 kWs of panels that you have now installed. Last year you consumed 12,000 kWhs after approximately 3,000kWhs from your old system so it looks like you should net out at zero net consumption for the year. That doesn't mean you bill will be zero because of Minimum delivery charges and payments to Vivint. As I mentioned in my earlier post you should be able to reduce your peak hour bill to zero and generate a credit without stressing your battery. At this point the baseline allowance should not be a factor. Unless I had hourly detail about your consumption I would not even be able to guess which rate plan would be best. I drive and charge two EVs so my rate choices are different and my consumption is skewed to picking the plan with the least expensive super off peak rates.

The Sunrun acquisition of Vivint closed four months ago and the earlier issues you experienced may be partly due to that transition. Hopefully the system meets your expectations.

[Veger70]

I figured the size on pvwatts had to break it up into 2 calculations because it’s on two sides of a 23deg roof one facing west and one east. It came out to 16,116kWh per year

[Ampster]

I figured the size on pvwatts had to break it up into 2 calculations because it’s on two sides of a 23deg roof one facing west and one east. It came out to 16,116kWh per year

The west facing panels may generate more dollars in the summer because of their afternoon production.

[Veger70]

The west facing panels may generate more dollars in the summer because of their afternoon production.

That’s why I counted the panels on each side and did a separate calc per the number of panels for each azimuth

[Veger70]

Ok I've looked at the SolarEdge storage profiles and if I wanted to run off batteries from 4-9 PM peak times, what mode would I set for that time? Maximize self-consumption?
Also could someone explain what clip solar power is?

[Ampster]

Ok I've looked at the SolarEdge storage profiles and if I wanted to run off batteries from 4-9 PM peak times, what mode would I set for that time? Maximize self-consumption?
Also could someone explain what clip solar power is?

Apparently, from reading the manual there are three modes described on the following pages.;
Smart Energy Management with Back Up Power on page 8
Back Up Power only on page 20
Smart Energy Management Only on page 31

Earlier @soby indicated the he was using something that sounded like Smart Energy Management with Back Up Power. Since you don't have access to the program presumably Vivint will have to enter the correct TOU periods and the reserve that you want to maintain for backup. That would be a good place to start to see if you can reduce your consumption during the peak TOU periods.

Clip solar power is a phenomena when the inverter capacity is less than the output of solar panels. It is not a setting that you have any control over. My inverter clips often briefly during the middle of the day. Since you are leasing the system I am not sure how clipping would affect your economics since you are only paying for what is produced.

[Veger70]

Apparently, from reading the manual there are three modes described on the following pages.;
Smart Energy Management with Back Up Power on page 8
Back Up Power only on page 20
Smart Energy Management Only on page 31

Earlier @soby indicated the he was using something that sounded like Smart Energy Management with Back Up Power. Since you don't have access to the program presumably Vivint will have to enter the correct TOU periods and the reserve that you want to maintain for backup. That would be a good place to start to see if you can reduce your consumption during the peak TOU periods.

Clip solar power is a phenomena when the inverter capacity is less than the output of solar panels. It is not a setting that you have any control over. My inverter clips often briefly during the middle of the day. Since you are leasing the system I am not sure how clipping would affect your economics since you are only paying for what is produced.

I’m assuming they have it in smart energy management with backup power mode
and the inverter would switch automatically to backup power only when a power outage happens. I think the charge/discharge modes on page 40 is how you configure your battery functions for different times of TOU. Because that I can see “profiles” is the only area where you can specify times and dates. I’m assuming ”maximize self consumption” mode during Peak hours would be the way to go to utilize battery power during peak times, but wanted confirmation from someone like @Soby who knew.