Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Module 2: Online Portals & Net Metering

Title slide reading Training Module #2 with topics listed, beside a solar panel and sun graphic and the Lac Seul First Nation and JAZZ Solar logos. — Module 2 title slide listing the topics covered.

Module 2 covers online portals, alarms, data analysis, and net metering vs MicroFit.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

What is an Online Data Portal?

Slide titled Online Portals explaining online data portals, with a screenshot of a portal dashboard showing system status, power, and energy figures. — A portal collects inverter data and shows live solar production online.

Portals let owners track production in real time and spot problems early.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Power Optimizer System Monitoring

Slide titled Power Optimizers System Monitoring listing benefits, with a worker holding a panel and a screenshot of monitoring software. — Optimizer monitoring shows module-, string-, and system-level data.

Automatic alerts, multi-device access, and detail down to each module — free for 25 years.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Choosing a Monitoring System

Slide titled Online Portals comparing system choices, with diagrams of panels connecting to inverters and a cloud monitoring platform. — Per-panel monitoring needs micro inverters or optimizers; whole-system needs only a string inverter.

Want per-panel data? Use micro inverters or optimizers. Want the whole system? A string inverter is enough.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

String Inverter Monitoring

Slide titled Online Portals - Types on Monitoring Software-String Inverter, with a Fronius Datamanager 2.0 for Solar.web diagram. — String inverters report the whole array; software must match the hardware brand.

Software and hardware must match the brand — e.g. a Fronius inverter needs Fronius Data Manager.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Micro Inverters

Micro inverters give each module its own inverter, so panels are optimized individually.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Enphase Enlighten Monitoring

Diagram of a house showing Enphase microinverters under each panel, an Envoy gateway plugged in indoors, and Enlighten monitoring viewed on a laptop, with three labeled steps. — Microinverters send data over AC wiring to the Envoy gateway, which sends it to Enlighten online.

Enlighten lets you view system performance from any web browser.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Mapping Inverters

A barcode scanner reading a microinverter's unique barcode sticker, with the data shown on a desktop monitor and phone. — Scan each inverter's barcode so its location maps to the monitoring system.

Mapping each inverter enables individual panel monitoring.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Enphase Monitoring System

Enphase Enlighten dashboard showing status, power production, today's energy, this month's energy, lifetime energy, local weather, and a colored array map of individual panels. — The dashboard shows overall production plus each panel in the array.

One screen shows status, production, and each panel's output.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Power Optimizers

Optimizers are DC-to-DC boosters that help with shaded panels.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Configuring the Monitoring System

Get started by making an account, username, and password.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Configuring the Array

Array configuration screen showing panels laid out on a site map to match the real installation. — Lay out the array to match direction, tilt, panel location, and wattage.

Set direction to south, tilt, panel location, and wattage.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Connecting the Array to the Portal

Use the 'Start-up' software to connect the system to its webpage; a troubleshooting app helps if set-up fails.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Monitoring the Array

A Smart Meter tracks consumption and production, so you can tell if the system is making what is needed.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Set Points and Alarms

Alarms depend on the manufacturer and programming. Use owner's manuals and support numbers to identify problems.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Analyzing Data

Compare output under similar conditions. Monitoring panels individually helps pinpoint problems.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Utility Bill Analysis

Gather at least two years of bills for accuracy. Example: yearly average divided by 365 gives the daily average.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Kilowatt Hours

Add up all appliances and their run time to find your total hydro consumption and bill.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Net Metering Systems

The aim is to offset your own power use with the solar you produce.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

How the Bi-Directional Meter Works

Slide titled Net Metering Systems listing four points about excess solar going to the grid, a bi-directional meter tracking power, drawing from the grid when solar is low, and the meter spinning forward or backward. — A bi-directional meter spins forward or backward to track power added or taken.

A bi-directional meter is needed to track power sent to and taken from the grid.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Does Net Metering Make Financial Sense?

A payback period of 10 years or less is generally acceptable.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Net Metering Credit System

Credits carry forward up to 12 months, then reset to zero.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

MicroFIT Systems

MicroFIT systems still exist under a 20-year guaranteed contract, even though the program ended.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

How MicroFIT Differs from Net Metering

Slide titled MicroFit Systems comparing it to net metering, with a wiring diagram showing solar panels, inverter, service box, disconnect, a meter for power used, a meter for power generated, and the grid. — MicroFIT exports all solar to the grid and uses a separate production meter.

MicroFIT sends all power to the grid; net metering uses one bi-directional meter for both.

Module 2 · Online Portals, Alarms & Net Metering

Thanks and Questions

Thanks! Questions? Email asenia@jazzsolar.com or jon@jazzsolar.com.