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J
Rank 1
Jackol
Rank 1
July 22, 2023
Solved

Is it normal to still be taking as much electric from the Grid when I have a 6kw inverter?

  • July 22, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 134 views

I have just had a solar panel system installed.

It has a 6kw inverter and potentially 6kwh generation from the panels.

I have an 8.5kw shower and when I use it the shower takes a lot of electricity from the grid even when the battery is fully charged. Is this normal or is there something wrong with the system set up?

Advice would be very much welcomed 

Many thanks,

Jackol

Best answer by BPLightlog

I would say it sounds fairly normal @Jackol . We have a similar set up and depending on the time of day, generation level and other draws on the system, we see quite a draw from the grid.
Also depending on your inverter, they can often kick in some time after the switching of a significant power source and so you would see the grid input instantaneously making up the difference. 

4 replies

M
Rank 2
mavison
Rank 2
July 22, 2023

If you have one 6kw inverter for PV and battery, then a 8.5kw shower will take at least 2.5 kw from the grid for the time it is heating water fully. Are you seeing much more than that? Do you have a monitoring app that will show details?

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper UserSolved
    Super User
    July 23, 2023

    I would say it sounds fairly normal @Jackol . We have a similar set up and depending on the time of day, generation level and other draws on the system, we see quite a draw from the grid.
    Also depending on your inverter, they can often kick in some time after the switching of a significant power source and so you would see the grid input instantaneously making up the difference. 

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      J
      Rank 1
      JackolAuthor
      Rank 1
      July 23, 2023

      If you have one 6kw inverter for PV and battery, then a 8.5kw shower will take at least 2.5 kw from the grid for the time it is heating water fully. Are you seeing much more than that? Do you have a monitoring app that will show details?

      Thanks very much for that. That's what I thought but reassuring to know others have the same opinion.

      J
      Rank 1
      JackolAuthor
      Rank 1
      July 23, 2023

      I would say it sounds fairly normal @Jackol . We have a similar set up and depending on the time of day, generation level and other draws on the system, we see quite a draw from the grid.
      Also depending on your inverter, they can often kick in some time after the switching of a significant power source and so you would see the grid input instantaneously making up the difference. 

      Thanks very much for your experience. It looks like everything is okay. I just wanted to check it was what I should be expecting before I paid the bill!!

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