Energy Matters Forums

[australsolarier]

immersun seemed to go down the gurgler in the meantime

[Tracker]

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So what is the latest on Export Prevention..
The latest Renew Economy email highlighted a discussion on an Australian Product, based in GlenInnes..
Stated as being the cheapest method of solar power storage. Hot Water is an efficient method of helping to reduction export. As we well know..
The basic no frills model (GREEN) costs about 650, whilst the Internet Connected (BLUE) model is about 1050. But with that you get the capability of monitoring energy usage etc..
~
So, does anyone have feelings as to where the state of play lies with these contraptions.
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[australsolarier]

do you have a link or something?
cannot find anything

[Tracker]

http://www.catchpower.com.au/wp-content ... ionsv2.pdf

And of interest.. at this time - there is no charge for the monitoring process. That tells you just how your export prevention is performing..
But, they do say that when the day comes that they have to employ someone to administer the Monitoring Program, then there may be a cost imposed - however those early entries will remain free..

[australsolarier]

just a bit expensive. particularly by the time the licensed electrician installed it. if you find an electrician that wants to use his brain to install something he does not understand.

also i don't like that cloud thing.

but otherwise a good idea. actually it should be integrated into the grid feed inverter.

[Tracker]

... just a bit expensive. ..... actually it should be integrated into the grid feed inverter.

We could but dream of that.. BUT .. the typical inverter is not where you need the diversion, and I BET that the authorities would frown on such a blatant attempt to prevent EXPORT.
There is no doubt that authorities RELY on Solar Exporting..
( The export Sensing needs to be at the supply end of things - The device is super easy to connect )

COST - YES but when you can use it to store a LARGE amount of energy, it is far cheaper than a battery..
( I am still undecided about batteries - Still procrastinating.. )

Even if you had Instant Gas - the cost of installing a water tank to be pre-heated by solar - is plain sensible..

I cut off the town gas and switched to LPG.. thus wiping out those "Service Charges"
Now I want to reduce the actual gas usage, and this is one way..

Internet and CLOUD connections.. well I hope that the system is not hackable, by folk looking for a back-door into my INTERNET..
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[Tracker]

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CATCH BLUE..
I bought one, and after the first day. I'm pleased with the results..
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I have instant gas water heating. Connected to an electric HW tank, that allowed opportune storage of pre-heated water..
That is just what the Catch Power system does..!!!
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The partial justification for the expense lies in the benefits from now seeing the instantaneous grid power supply..
This monitoring is naturally, independent of any inverter etc..

Brilliant device.. but I suspect a limitied application.
Given the need for customers with Resistive Storage HW, and Excess Solar Power..
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Catch Green - is a basic device that simply diverts excess power to a water tank..
Catch Blue - gives far more dynamic control and long term monitoring..
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. https://www.catchpower.com.au
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[Warpspeed]

What happens when the tank boils in mid summer ?

[australsolarier]

i would presume, BEFORE boiling the thermostat switches. and the electricity goes anywhere else than into the resistive heat element.

one of the reasons those devices are used is the thermostat only works for ac (for any length of time anyway)
there are the devices that divert electricity into the hot water tank what otherwise goes into the grid.(grid feed system)

then the devices directly connected to the dc pv. they hack the dc into pulses to get around the problem with the thermostat.

in either case they are somewhat costly.
we might get more value with a heatpump. unfortunately here in australia they are difficult to get or very expensive, for retrofit.

[Tracker]

..
The device works at GRID A/C level..
It uses a CT to monitor the supply current. And simply prevents export of energy by diverting that power to the HW... at least until the thermostat drops the connection..
It works brilliantly from my first impressions.
Nothing has gone to the street..
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I have a Heat Pump connected to the same tank, but it failed and no longer functions and not supported..
One day I might fix it..
CONERGY clearly did not want the product..