Dear community,
I am currently exploring the use of a photovoltaic system for our upcoming new-build project. Most likely, it will be the classic combination of an air-source heat pump and a photovoltaic system (including storage).
In a book, I came across some very interesting application scenarios and wondered whether the control systems of photovoltaic installations are really that smart.
The following application scenarios (when using an energy storage system) would be ideal for our house:
- Combination of heat pump and photovoltaic
- Pool heating
- Electric vehicle wallbox
Example of a control logic: charge the car at night only if stored energy is available; heat the pool only during the day with pure solar energy; and so on.
What is the reality like? How would you implement such logics?
Thanks!
I am currently exploring the use of a photovoltaic system for our upcoming new-build project. Most likely, it will be the classic combination of an air-source heat pump and a photovoltaic system (including storage).
In a book, I came across some very interesting application scenarios and wondered whether the control systems of photovoltaic installations are really that smart.
The following application scenarios (when using an energy storage system) would be ideal for our house:
- Combination of heat pump and photovoltaic
- Pool heating
- Electric vehicle wallbox
Example of a control logic: charge the car at night only if stored energy is available; heat the pool only during the day with pure solar energy; and so on.
What is the reality like? How would you implement such logics?
Thanks!
gregman22 schrieb:
Only charge electric cars at night if there is stored energy available. Unnecessary, because the small home battery barely affects the large car battery at all.
gregman22 schrieb:
Heat the pool only during the day using pure solar energy. Easy, most photovoltaic systems have so-called Smart Grid Ready contacts. These close when surplus energy is available. This can then be used to power various devices, as most heat pumps have this feature too. Alternatively, you can connect your own devices.
If the photovoltaic system communicates with the charging station, for example, you can charge your car with surplus energy during the day, provided you are home. Dishwashers could run when there is excess power, and air conditioning units could use the last rays of sunlight to cool the house before you arrive. However, these ideas require some level of automation or control logic, such as a logic server, a small home automation system on a Raspberry Pi, or similar. It might also be worth looking into OpenWB.
G
gregman2215 Jul 2022 17:00Deliverer schrieb:
You will be very satisfied in the long run if you stop considering the roof and the photovoltaic system separately from now on. A few centimeters (inches) more roof overhang, slightly shifting a roof window, installing the solar system directly on the facade, choosing the right roofing material (metal), commissioning the carpenter to handle the substructure at the same time – these are all factors that make the photovoltaic system larger and more cost-effective without much extra effort.
And size is the only thing that matters. Until you have one, it’s hard to imagine how little power such a system produces when there are clouds. So don’t be afraid of 30, 40, 50 kWp – it’s worth it!
PS: I wouldn't buy a battery storage system right now, as payback is practically impossible. It’s better to add one later when prices have dropped by 60%. Yes, that’s good advice. I would definitely like to optimize the solar surface as much as possible. Size matters.
G
gregman2215 Jul 2022 17:03Araknis schrieb:
Unnecessary, because the small home battery just barely makes the large car battery roll its eyes.
Easy, most PV systems have so-called Smart Grid Ready contacts. These close when there is surplus energy. Then you can do things with it, as most heat pumps have something similar. Or you can switch something entirely your own.
When the photovoltaic system communicates with the wallbox, you can, for example, charge your car with surplus energy if you are at home during the day. Dishwashers could run when there is surplus, air conditioners could cool the house with the last rays of sun before you come home, and so on. However, these ideas require a certain level of intelligence in some form, such as a logic server, a small home automation system on a Raspberry Pi or similar. It may also be worth taking a look at OpenWB. Here I return to my point about holistic integration. For me, these implementations clearly exceed my skills and interest level. I would need to invest a lot of time to fully understand each of the individual technologies.
Therefore, I really find it unfortunate that there is probably no service provider in a typical construction project who brings all these loose ends together. That’s challenging.
Of course, there are such professionals, called system integrators. However, in Germany, they are rarely involved in typical residential construction projects because they are either too expensive for the homeowners or the homeowners expect the electrician to handle the "smart" features, although in 8 to 9 out of 10 cases, the electrician is overwhelmed by this.
G
gregman2215 Jul 2022 17:56We will most likely use KNX as the standard and install some components. I was planning to hire a system integrator anyway. It might be possible to engage them for the overall role.