Examples of issues related to export:
- No export from the system
- Export only happening at certain times
- Generation only matching load
- Generation dropping when batteries are fully charged
- Export figures are incorrect
Some of the steps below can be followed to attempt to resolve:
- Is Solar Export enabled?
Settings>System Mode>Solar Export - Is Export Power Limit setting correct?
Settings>Grid Settings>Export Power Limiter - Is the system in Zero Export mode?
Settings>System Mode>Work Mode - Is Max Solar Power set too low?
Settings>Advanced Settings>Max Solar Power - Is Grid Peak Shaving enabled? If yes, is threshold set too low? (clipping during peak times)
Settings>Advanced Settings>Grid Peak-Shaving/Grid Peak-Shaving Power - Is the system in Live Price mode? This mode can dictate import and export behaviour based on the selected tariff and should not be enabled unless the end user is set up with one of the compatible tariffs.
Plant Info>Revenue Info
Export Tests
Selling First Mode
To test whether there is something from physically stopping the system from exporting after completing the checks above, set mode of operation to 'Selling First' and see if the system exports normally. Selling first mode ignores CT readings so if export works correctly in 'Selling First' but not in 'Limited to Home' this suggests CT reading issues. N.B. load readings will not be correct in this mode so just assess export figures
Settings>System Mode>Work Mode
Testing Export When not in Selling First Mode
If the load is higher than the generation then the installer on site must take some steps to reduce the load if possible while the test is being carried out.
- Set battery SOC target in current timer to a value below what the current SOC is to stop batteries from taking charge. Best to set it at least 10% lower to avoid batteries moving below target SOC while test is being carried out
- Reduce load as much as possible to get maximum available export
- Check Solar Export is enabled and Export Power Limit is suitable value (see checklist above)
The system should now be exporting provided the load is lower than the generation. The grid reading should be a negative value when exporting.
Spotting Export Issue From Generation Graphs
Image 1 - Example of a normal generation curve with correct export - what you should be seeing
In the above example we can see a smooth generation curve (green) with consistent export to grid (yellow) with the exception of a few period where the load spikes (red) and export drops off until load decreases. Batteries (blue) reached 100% SOC around 08:40 so no charge to the batteries throughout the day.
N.B. the generation does jump up slightly around 17:00 due to an east/west split on the array
Image 2 - No generation curve and no export
This system shows export issues as there is no curve to the generation (green) and there is no export figures or grid readings in general (shown as yellow). This was due to incorrect CT configuration so the load and export were being read incorrectly. This means that generation was only working to charge the batteries and cover very small load readings.
Image 3 - Generation normal until batteries reach 100% SOC then generation only matches load
In the example above the CT clamp was reversed so the system was actually exporting but was being read as a load, which is why the load follows a curve. The generation is 3.2kW and there are some tiny export readings of around 100W but the property expected load was around 1kW max during a working day.
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