Smarter solar: How Plentify increased Paul’s solar utilisation by 50% - Plentify
Smarter solar: How Plentify increased Paul’s solar utilisation by 50%
By [Plentify Team](/content/author/plentify-team/ "Posts by Plentify Team"/index.html)
Abstract:
Paul struggled to get the full value out of his 6.2kW solar installation despite maxing out his battery capacity. By installing Plentify’s SolarBot and HotBot, Paul increased his solar utilisation by 50% and reduced his electricity costs by 30%. This case study explores how Plentify’s intelligent energy solutions optimised Paul’s solar system for greater efficiency and cost savings.
The challenge
Paul installed a 6.2kWp solar system with an 8kW SunSynk inverter and 10 kWh battery at his house in Cape Town. However, despite maxing out his battery capacity, much of his solar generation capacity was going to waste. Paul was also still heavily reliant on grid power, especially at night. As a result, he was spending around R1 500 a month on electricity.
The solution
Paul was introduced to Plentify and was keen to discover how SolarBot and HotBot could help him get more out of his existing solar system installation.
SolarBot and HotBot were installed at Paul’s house, making the following changes to how his solar system operated:
Shifting demand to clean energy times
- Before HotBot, Paul mostly used grid power to heat his geyser.
- SolarBot and HotBot ensure his geyser heats up during peak solar time, improving his solar utilisation.
Optimising battery charging
- Paul’s battery was set to maintain a minimum state of charge of 80%.
- This meant that much of his stored energy remained unused unless there was load shedding.
- SolarBot determined that Paul didn’t have to keep his battery charged to 80% at all times. Instead, he could use the stored power to reduce his reliance on the grid.
“After installing SolarBot, I’m saving about R450 a month on my electricity bills. SolarBot sends extra solar power to my geyser, which is managed by HotBot, so I have hot water all day. This means I need less heating in the morning and evening, which definitely saves me money.” – Paul
The results
Since installing SolarBot and HotBot, Paul has experienced the following benefits:
- 30% reduction in electricity costs. Paul’s electricity bill decreased from R1500 to around R1000 a month.
- 50% increase in solar utilisation. Paul now uses 83% of his available solar generation capacity, up from 56% before Plentify.
- By optimising Paul’s system as much as possible, SolarBot also identified that adding extra battery capacity could improve his solar utilisation and reduce his reliance on the grid even further.
A win-win
Choosing Plentify will benefit both you and your customers. By becoming a Plentify installer, you can:
- Increased competitiveness: You can gain a competitive edge by ensuring your clients get the best possible performance from your system.
- Happier customers: Plentify helps you deliver proactive support to your customers by alerting you of potential issues before they arise.
- Upgrade opportunities: Plentify will recommend ways you can upgrade your customers’ systems to give them even better performance.
Your customers will benefit from increased solar utilisation, reducing their reliance on the grid and significantly lowering their energy costs.
Ready to help your clients unlock the full potential of their solar systems while enhancing your competitive edge?
Book a consultation to kickstart a conversation: