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nzmikec · 08-03-18, 09:16 PM

Hi,

I have one of these installed in my home https://www.earthwiseproducts.co.uk/product/solic-2000/ Works really well diverting all of our excess solar power (within 20w) to the immersion heater. It is a cheaper alternative to some other systems that have a few more features. I have found it to be very reliable.

Prior to this I used a mk2pvrouter from the openenergymonitor project that I built using a emontx and a SSR. See https://learn.openenergymonitor.org/...sion/mk2/index

I changed to the solic-2000 purely to satisfy my electrician. We have a 1.5kw PV system and also have a small wetback (booster). Our cylinder is a bit small at only 180l with 2 of us we very infrequently need to "boost" the cylinder with imported power. If I was to do a new install I would go for a 300l cylinder and maybe 2-3kw of PV.

These diverters seem essential to make the economics of PV work in New Zealand. Our power companys pay us about $0.07kw/h for export power and sell us power at about $0.30kw/h so it makes sense to use all of your generated power onsite. With the cost of battery storage I believe these are the best system to store the excess energy given most peoples water heating is about 1/3 of total power consumed.

08-03-18, 09:16 PM	#3
nzmikec Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Masterton Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi, I have one of these installed in my home https://www.earthwiseproducts.co.uk/product/solic-2000/ Works really well diverting all of our excess solar power (within 20w) to the immersion heater. It is a cheaper alternative to some other systems that have a few more features. I have found it to be very reliable. Prior to this I used a mk2pvrouter from the openenergymonitor project that I built using a emontx and a SSR. See https://learn.openenergymonitor.org/...sion/mk2/index I changed to the solic-2000 purely to satisfy my electrician. We have a 1.5kw PV system and also have a small wetback (booster). Our cylinder is a bit small at only 180l with 2 of us we very infrequently need to "boost" the cylinder with imported power. If I was to do a new install I would go for a 300l cylinder and maybe 2-3kw of PV. These diverters seem essential to make the economics of PV work in New Zealand. Our power companys pay us about $0.07kw/h for export power and sell us power at about $0.30kw/h so it makes sense to use all of your generated power onsite. With the cost of battery storage I believe these are the best system to store the excess energy given most peoples water heating is about 1/3 of total power consumed.