Solar Performance Spreadsheet - Analysis and data sharing

Jonathan · 16-01-2022 12:14pm

Easiest is just to revert like I did last week. Should be able to see which version broke it in the history.

irishchris · 16-01-2022 11:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118483630#Comment_118483630

Would you be able to revert again or anyone who can. Somehow yet again the entries are all messed up and all of my data and many others are now blank

SouthWesterly · 17-01-2022 12:28am

Mine are all wrong as well. Figures for first 7 months of last year when I didn't have solar

bullit_dodger · 17-01-2022 1:27am

I've restored the latest (what I think) was non-corrupted version.

The problem is people are "playing around" with the spreadsheet sorting the table to their wants/needs, but unfortunately not really understanding what they are doing. At the moment, anyone with the link can edit, but we may have to "lock down" to people with an EDIT link and leave it read only for everyone else. Trusting people not to share the EDIT link..... of course.

Can I suggest if you want to play around with the figures to simply cut-n-paste into an offline version of Excel and do your charting/analysis there?

DrPhilG · 17-01-2022 8:28am

Excel isn't rocket science... How the hell can people balls this up so bad lol!

SouthWesterly · 17-01-2022 8:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118487745#Comment_118487745

While people here may know what to do. Those in FB won't.

garo · 17-01-2022 11:04am

Looks good now. I am ok with making the sheet non-editable and then either share the link or give permissions to named signed in users. But night be easier to just put a notice up there tellimg people not to hit the sort button. Though I am puzzled how sorting could f*$% things up so bad. I just did a bunch of sorts and everything stayed fine.

bullit_dodger · 17-01-2022 11:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118488147#Comment_118488147

You sorted it fine garo but your not a klep! :-)

Someone sorted the table, but only sorted on 2-3 columns of the data (the name and the size of the installation) and didn't include the monthly production figures in the sort. So the position of the names and the sizes changed rows, but not the data points attributing to those users. Nothing inherently wrong with sorting per say, but you need to know what your doing to the data. Similarly, every time I go into the chart all the charts and graphs are out of position and moved around. Presumably because people don't have 4K monitor, but that's what the scroll bars are for?! Or at least put them back!

I think lets leave it editable for now for everyone - as I like the fact that we are open for all. If it continues to remain an issue, I'll lock it down to and editable link and we can share that appropriately, with the proviso that people don't post the (editable) link in the forums.

graememk · 17-01-2022 11:53am

you dont even need to copy stuff into excel, just need to make your own copy :

Maybe reset the edit link and update the main post. With the new one.

garo · 17-01-2022 11:57am

How is it even possible to sort 2-3 columns of data? Like they didn't use the pre-existing sort and selected columns manually to sort. Oh well. We all make mistakes.

Jonathan · 17-01-2022 12:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118488371#Comment_118488371

Good idea. I'll add details to the first post.

I think we should also link back from the spreadsheet to this thread. Particularly for those that might be linked to the spreadsheet from FB etc.

bullit_dodger · 17-01-2022 12:16pm

Thanks graememk. I forgot - that's another good option. Let's see how it goes for a few weeks. If "data corruption" continues to be an issue we can go the route that I suggested above.

I did suspect that this might happen when I was originally setting it up. Regrettable.

irishchris · 17-01-2022 12:31pm

Does seem strange that people can accidently do this several times and still not know what they are doing. Always felt dodgy sharing link elsewhere from here where anyone, installers included, can mess with it. Not saying that happened, just can't understand how it is continually accidently getting deleted and having distorted figures

bullit_dodger · 17-01-2022 12:40pm

Agree with you there also Chris. When I heard that it was on the BookFace group, I was initially a bit annoyed. When I thought about it some more, I changed my opinion to indifference. Whoever shared it, didn't do anything wrong. I certainly never prohibited sharing outside out little group, nor did anyone else, but unfortunately not everyone is computer literate as some here. And that's ok - we shouldn't exclude people cause they might not be familiar with excel/google sheets. All that we can ask it for people to be careful and diligent. We have a more heavy handed solution i.e. locking it down, but rather than reaching for the big hammer, I think we should see what happens for 2-3 weeks (esp after the Jan figures update where we'll see some activity and that will be a good indicator)

I'm inclined to use the expression "Never attribute something to malice which can equally be attributed to stupidity" :-)

ECO_Mental · 17-01-2022 1:09pm

Probably should disable the filters in the monthly sheet (all filters actually..) I know I am guilty of it a bit myself I tend to apply the filter high to low on the total so it organizes it a bit better. But if the filter is not applied to the whole table if can screw it all up.

My opinion is that if you want to play around with the data in this sheet, download the sheet to excel or whatever yourself and knock yourself out.

Wording to this effect should be highlighted in the Google Sheet on all the tables just to remind people. (I can do it later if needs be)

bullit_dodger · 17-01-2022 1:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118488779#Comment_118488779

Please do (the wording that is) ECO - you've done a sterling job there, so my thanks.

SouthWesterly · 17-01-2022 2:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118488616#Comment_118488616

But some people are stupidly malicious 😂

homerun_homer · 20-01-2022 5:04pm

I've just got Solar PV installed this month, 3.5kwp system. Can I be add myself to the spreadsheet or does someone need to add me?

Jonathan · 20-01-2022 6:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118506782#Comment_118506782

Welcome. Feel free to add your details to the spreadsheet.

SouthWesterly · 21-01-2022 1:07am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118506782#Comment_118506782

Don't add this months as it's only partial and skews the figures

homerun_homer · 21-01-2022 2:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118507375#Comment_118507375

Cheers!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118509679#Comment_118509679

No problem, will only start from end of Feb.

harderthanf · 22-01-2022 3:31pm

Cannot believe I'm only seeing this thread now. Is it ok for me to add my data back to last June, when I switched on?

As a stats nerd this stuff is great!!

Jonathan · 22-01-2022 3:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118517271#Comment_118517271

Absolutely. More the merrier.

THE ALM · 29-01-2022 10:26am

Looks like somebody has had a right old time with the spreadsheet, with figures deleted and the whole thing all over the place.

If people don't know how to fill in a spreadsheet at least they could undo the mess they make, maybe don't know how to either.

I have a copy from the 17th that I can re-upload if there isn't a more recent one.

yankinlk · 29-01-2022 11:33am

This is why we cant have nice things.

i see my data is there - but its no longer assigned to me. install tab is correct for me.

I took a copy way back on the 4th. just roll it back if u can. maybe the montly data / multiple tabs is going to be too impossible to keep going. make a seperate sheet? no linking of tabs is less slick but maybe less liekly to break?

Jonathan · 29-01-2022 1:06pm

Google Docs has built in versioning. I'll roll it back to last non-corrupted version later when I'm back at the desktop, if nobody else has done it already.

mp3guy · 29-01-2022 1:39pm

Not sure this will scale in the long term, maybe a google form instead with a small set of trusted owners on a view-only spreadsheet would be better.

garo · 29-01-2022 6:34pm

Create a new link and don't share it on bookface.

bullit_dodger · 29-01-2022 10:04pm

Mm, I was hoping that people would do the right thing, alas.

I'll reshare it with an edit link to the regular users tomorrow and with read only to 'everyone'.

This does assume that the regular users will a) not mess it up and b) not share the link with non-regulars.

irishchris · 30-01-2022 12:57am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118551692#Comment_118551692

Appreciate that bullit_Dodger as unfortunately everytime I have checked in on this in last few weeks it has been all over the place and defeats the purpose of it sadly.

bullit_dodger · 31-01-2022 3:57pm

Ok, bit disappointed that we couldn't rely on people not to make a balls of it , but I locked it down earlier. I think everyone (bar me) has read only or "viewer" rights now. Happy to add people to the "editor list", but since this is done on an account basis, you'll have to DM me to get you account added to that list so you can make edits.

Note: An editor can also add others, so it doesn't have to be me who adds on subsequent users, however, USE YOUR COMMON SENSE HERE! The whole reason we're locking this down is that people seem incapable of not messing things up either deliberately or just being a twonk. If you are an "editor" and add someone, please make sure that whoever you add knows enough about computers not to mess the data up ...... or we'll have to resort to more draconian measures where we only have a select few ~10 people we trust make the changes for everyone every month.

(not something I personally want as I wanted it completely open from the get go, but alas.....)

THE ALM · 31-01-2022 4:54pm

Disappointing alright, it is only putting a number in a square🙄

At least if they made a copy of it and mess around to there hearts content then so be it, especially being highlighted in bright yellow!!!

bullit_dodger · 31-01-2022 5:12pm

Also - I should have been a little clearer there when I said "DM me".....you can request access in the sheet, and then anyone of the editors can approve. If I see you as a boards.ie as a "regular" I'll approve on the spot, but if I or one of the others editors don't recognize you, expect to be asked as to why you want editor access. Trust is earned.....

On the plus side, all changes are then tracked back to the username, so if you make a poo-poo, we'll know who did it - and it won't go down as "Anonymous" anymore. So you break it, you go into the poo-poo box. LOL

ECO_Mental · 31-01-2022 6:57pm

I'm not too familiar with google sheets but I know in excel you can lock down only the cells you want edited. I might mess around with a google sheet later to see if I can come up with a solution.

tails_naf · 31-01-2022 8:39pm

I added a new tab there whiich is the month by month comparison between 2022 and 2021 - it's auto-generated from the other tabs. I'm down 12% Jan 22 vs Jan 21, will be interesting to see how others got on

SouthWesterly · 31-01-2022 10:06pm

It's nice to see my figures heading back up.

Roll on summer 😁

DrPhilG · 04-02-2022 5:19pm

Hi @bullit_dodger

Whats the deal on this sheet now? How do I get access, or do I send my info to someone?

THE ALM · 04-02-2022 5:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118582175#Comment_118582175

If you request access through the google sheet bullit_dodger should be able to add you.

DrPhilG · 04-02-2022 5:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118582211#Comment_118582211

I don't see any option to do that.

Jonathan · 04-02-2022 5:38pm

Click the green View Only button (with an eye on it) up just below the toolbar.

DrPhilG · 04-02-2022 6:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118582276#Comment_118582276

Jonathan · 04-02-2022 7:03pm

Ah okay. Not sure on mobile. Green button is on desktop.

If on mobile you might have more success using the Google Sheets app.

bullit_dodger · 04-02-2022 9:27pm

DM me your google address Phil (or whatever you use) and I'll add you into the sheet permissions directly.

DrPhilG · 05-02-2022 12:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118583223#Comment_118583223

Thanks, I just managed to open it in the sheets app and requested access that way.

MAULBROOK · 05-02-2022 3:15pm

Thanks for the access

harderthanf · 07-02-2022 6:42pm

I was thinking of the admin involved with the Google sheets and knocked up a simple (very simple) website that might be able to help us. It can be found at the link below. The site will allow people to register themselves and should stop any issues with people messing up other peoples data.

This is if all involved agree this is a good idea!

I am not a web developer so the site is crude at best. However, I have no problem letting people jump on and change/amend as they see fit.

At this stage it is in it's early "beta" and if people are happy to move to this type of site it would be great to get some testers first. If we're happy we can move the Sheets data over and then add some more funcionality (charts, reports etc).

I have ideas to add EV data here too and maybe some sort of API. It is all premised on allowing people see our data (the site doesn't hold anything other than a login session cookie and your email address - but I can expand on that later if any interest).

I don't want to step on anyone's toes so please let me know if you guys would prefer to keep the Google Sheets.

The site is at https://www.pvstats.eu . You will need a valid email address to register (check your SPAM folder).

irishchris · 07-02-2022 11:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118596488#Comment_118596488

Well done on seeing this up and for me seems a perfect solution for this.

Only suggestion would be to not have a person's email address showing as the user name. Registered mine there and instead of username shows the email address. Fine whilst amongst our trusted users but outside of that probably not the best.

Cheers for setting this up and putting the work into it 👍

harderthanf · 07-02-2022 11:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118597623#Comment_118597623

Hey Chris. Thanks for taking a look at this. I think your email address is showing because you picked the username to be the same as your email address. You can make your username just "IrishCris" and then this way your email address won't show. Let me know if you want me to change your username to say, "irishcrhis". That way your email won't be displayed to anyone else.

irishchris · 07-02-2022 11:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118597830#Comment_118597830

Yep think that's exactly what I did 😃

harderthanf · 08-02-2022 2:24pm

Just a quick update. I see a few people attempted to login to the site but didn't have their account setup first.

To setup an account, first for to https://www.pvstats.eu/register.pl. You need to make up a new username (it can't be your email address) and enter a valid email address below with a password.

Once registered you will get an email sent to the address you entered. You will need to click on the link within that email to activate your account. Once activated you can then login with your newly created username and password

The first page you will see is the main page, which shows this year's production values and the user who owns them.

At the top, you can click back to last year, to see how that looked.

If you click on "My PV Data" on the left, you will be brought to your own production details

This will default to this year but you can add other years (last year, for example) by clicking the "add new year" link

Once you select a year to add you will then be able to fill out those details.

The "My Installation info" allows you to enter your PV setup, as below. You can add/edit the details on this page. Anything you enter here will be visible to when someone clicks on the "Installation Info" page. Although they will not be able to edit any of your information

Please let me know if any runs into any problems!

Solar Performance Spreadsheet - Analysis and data sharing

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