PV Monitoring/Controlling - Smappee Vs MyEnergi

slave1

As per thread title, I'm getting in a 6kW PV system soon but undecided on the software to allow me the monitoring/controlling information I feel is necessary.
Installer recommends Smappee, cost of €200 and then after 2 years a monthly fee of €2, I have found very little online for real work reviews.
I'm getting a Zappi 2 to charge our EVs so thinking of their MyEnergi App, this will cost £85 for the Hub and I think I need to spend £55 for the Harvi wireless sensor.

My requirements are to understand my PV harvesting, Grid import/export and linkage to the Zappi2 so I can control the excess PV into the connected car.

Appreciate any real work feedback on either product, currently leaning towards the MyEnergi but not sure do I need the wireless sensor.
I intend placing the Hub next to the Consumer Unit and the Zappi2 communicates with the Hub via Radio signal as I understand it...

unkel

You need to ask yourself what is the benefit of knowing that data. There is of course no financial benefit, so are you willing to pay for a system that will just give you info for the fun of it? For every € you spent on a monitoring system, the payback of your entire installation will become longer.

slave1

Benefit is pure non-financial, nerd in me

graememk

If your going with a zappi, then the myenergi monitoring system would be the way to go.

how hands on would you want it to be, from "it just works" to "coding your own automation and triggers"?

slave1

"it just works"

Coltrane

slave1 wrote: »

As per thread title, I'm getting in a 6kW PV system soon but undecided on the software to allow me the monitoring/controlling information I feel is necessary.
Installer recommends Smappee, cost of €200 and then after 2 years a monthly fee of €2, I have found very little online for real work reviews.
I'm getting a Zappi 2 to charge our EVs so thinking of their MyEnergi App, this will cost £85 for the Hub and I think I need to spend £55 for the Harvi wireless sensor.

My requirements are to understand my PV harvesting, Grid import/export and linkage to the Zappi2 so I can control the excess PV into the connected car.

Appreciate any real work feedback on either product, currently leaning towards the MyEnergi but not sure do I need the wireless sensor.
I intend placing the Hub next to the Consumer Unit and the Zappi2 communicates with the Hub via Radio signal as I understand it...

Hi
I’ve both a Smappee (solar PV version, almost three years old) and a Zappi (1, tethered) with myenergi hub.

Of these two options the Smappee’s certainly your best bet. It retains data for far longer (years versus the myenergi’s two or so months) and works far more quickly than the myenergi hub/app which is very laggy. Smappee will also measure individual devices/household ‘base’ load which can help reduce consumption.

Both work off CT clamps with a good amount of inherent inaccuracy. Monitors which count from the LED sensors on your meter seem to be much more accurate. I have one, but it’s not cloud connected, whereas my main focus is on measuring against my current goal of exporting roughly as much as I import.

You shouldn’t have to manually divert solar surplus to your EVs. The Zappi should do that for you automatically.

Gamma1

slave1 wrote: »

As per thread title, I'm getting in a 6kW PV system soon but undecided on the software to allow me the monitoring/controlling information I feel is necessary.
Installer recommends Smappee, cost of €200 and then after 2 years a monthly fee of €2, I have found very little online for real work reviews.
I'm getting a Zappi 2 to charge our EVs so thinking of their MyEnergi App, this will cost £85 for the Hub and I think I need to spend £55 for the Harvi wireless sensor.

My requirements are to understand my PV harvesting, Grid import/export and linkage to the Zappi2 so I can control the excess PV into the connected car.

Appreciate any real work feedback on either product, currently leaning towards the MyEnergi but not sure do I need the wireless sensor.
I intend placing the Hub next to the Consumer Unit and the Zappi2 communicates with the Hub via Radio signal as I understand it...

I have Smappee and find it fantastic - know my bills before they arrive - know how much solar PV I am getting and when to charge the car. Need though to train it again to recognise my charger and appliances.

slave1

Decided to go for the MyEnergi option, half the price and no monthly fee, I have a fundamental distaste to signing up to monthly fees when alternatives available