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Best answer by Lukepeniket_OVO

Hi guys, yes it’ll show that symbol when you are generating more than what your using!! Absolutely fine :-)

 

Most panel systems are around 3kw whilst the car chargers we are currently installing are 8kw (I'm about the start my EV journey). So even on the sunniest of days your still going to import 5kw of energy.

 

Best use of the solar panels in my opinion is to store the generated energy.

15 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
September 5, 2022

Hi @mboursnell ,

Actually, that doesn’t look like the real Reverse Run symbol. I can see from your photo that your meter appears to be currently tracking legitimate exports. However, it might be the version of the user manual I’ve got could be outdated. I’ll ask a few people for help there, such as the legendary @Lukepeniket_OVO . Just to be sure!

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Rank 4
September 5, 2022

OK, thanks. I’ve checked again and it appears to have vanished. I don’t know what that means. It difficult to find a really good manual for the meter…

 

 

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
September 5, 2022

Hehehe, that’s where my tricks come into play!

Here you go. https://www.smartme.co.uk/documents/Aclara-SMETS2-Single-Phase-Electric.pdf

That’s the entire user manual for the Aclara SGM1400 Series, which is the type you’ve got. It’s a bit technical, but should answer almost everything you need to know. If you get stuck, I can also try to help or summon Luke if I get stumped.

The fact the symbol has gone off and the fact you’re now Importing rather than exporting confirms my suspicions. That particular symbol only lights up during legitimate exports. If you had triggered Reverse Run, it would have stayed there until it was reset via SMETS Commands.

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Rank 4
September 5, 2022

Yes I’ve seen that manual (thanks). It doesn’t seem to show my symbol, unless I’ve missed it.

 

Is there any way I can get the display to show more decimal places. Again it’s vaguely mentioned in the guide but doesn’t seem to tell you exactly how to do it.

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
September 5, 2022

The number of decimal places is set by the supplier config iirc. If you’re trying to submit a FiT/SEG Reading, what you’re seeing there should be fine.

That particular symbol isn’t in the manual either. I’ll see if Luke knows anything.

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Rank 4
September 5, 2022

What I’m trying to do is this… maybe you can help?

We have 6 solar panels, and a Renault Zoe, and a home charger, and a 6A charging cable.

What we want to do is use the 6A cable and charge the car with it when the sun is shining, so most of the charge going into the car is from the solar panels.

I’ve done this but I need to check whether this is actually working… so….

 

I tried charging the car for an hour, and recording before and after readings, but they’re not precise enough (no decimal places) so it doesn’t really work.

Any ideas?

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
September 5, 2022

I think as long as the Total Active Import register isn’t moving much, you should be fine. You can also find the meter readings with decimal places on your IHD under Meter Info.

I’ll summon some extra help from @nealmurphy as one of our resident EV gurus. Hope this helps!

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Tim_OVO
OVO Staff
OVO Forum Legend
September 6, 2022

 

What we want to do is use the 6A cable and charge the car with it when the sun is shining, so most of the charge going into the car is from the solar panels.

I’ve done this but I need to check whether this is actually working… so….

 

I tried charging the car for an hour, and recording before and after readings, but they’re not precise enough (no decimal places) so it doesn’t really work.

Any ideas?

 

Any energy you generate from those solar panels will be consumed before it’s exported, and before energy is imported, @mboursnell. That’s the beauty of having an EV with solar panels. It’s like having your own battery on wheels!

Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
OVO Engineer
September 6, 2022

Hi guys, yes it’ll show that symbol when you are generating more than what your using!! Absolutely fine :-)

 

Most panel systems are around 3kw whilst the car chargers we are currently installing are 8kw (I'm about the start my EV journey). So even on the sunniest of days your still going to import 5kw of energy.

 

Best use of the solar panels in my opinion is to store the generated energy.

OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
September 6, 2022

Ooohhh… What EV are ya going for Luke?

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