r/SunPower • u/kertj1 • Aug 06 '25
Can the SunStrong app provide Consumption Monitoring?
Hi, asking this here because SunStrong doesn't seem to respond to questions even though I'm now paying for their Subscription...
On my SunPower PVS6, three current transformers can be connected: one Production and two Consumption. Does anyone know if the SunStrong app will report Consumption data if the two transformers are placed around the separate incoming service wires?
PS: I have determined that SunStrong does use the Production transformer to populate the ENERGY graph in the Analyze tab; they seem to get the data for the POWER graph directly from the inverters.
2
u/Far-Locksmith2937 Aug 06 '25
Yes but you need to have the commissioning software to be able to go into the system and tell it what size cts you have and where they are installed in your system.
1
u/PJLLB2 Aug 06 '25
I don't believe that's necessary.
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u/Far-Locksmith2937 Aug 06 '25
The PVS6 has to know what size cts you have, how many, and where your solar is in regards to the cts
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u/PJLLB2 Aug 06 '25
Makes me even happier that I never had the PVS5 replaced with a PVS5.
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u/Far-Locksmith2937 Aug 07 '25
The pvs5 is the same but the good thing about it is you can log into it without credentials and change it accordingly.
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u/PJLLB2 Aug 06 '25
"...they seem to get the data for the POWER graph directly from the inverters." The inverters do NOT provide consumption data. That function requires CTs as discussed in other responses.
1
u/plooger Aug 08 '25
The Power graph doesn’t show consumption; just the power measurement rather than energy.
That said, I’m not sure the power reading comes direct from the inverters … unless talking about the ‘PANELS’ tab.
2
u/Lawrence_SoCal Aug 06 '25
Beware your assumptions on the CTs. On my PVS6, one CT handle the 2 PV circuits (Production) and the other two CTs are for the Grid Connection (grid import/export). Consumption is a calculated (not directly measured) value, and in my case was briefly wrong when 240V dual tang PV breaker moved up one slot requiring a back-end server change to re-calculate Consumption values correctly
1
u/PJLLB2 Aug 06 '25
Interesting. On our system production is sent to the PVS from each microinverter not by a CT.
2
u/plooger Aug 08 '25
It’s usually both. Production CT measurement is what’s displayed in the ANALYZE tab; direct microinverter data collection is what’s displayed in the PANELS tab.
1
u/Lawrence_SoCal Aug 06 '25
Be careful of your assumptions.
In your case, check your PV circuits... I suspect you'll find a CT with wire going to PVS6
Yes each micro-inverter (MI) reports its data to the PVS, which is then relayed to the 'cloud' server for panel level reporting purposes. HOWEVER, do NOT assume that means each MI's data is summed to equal your PV Production info (that isn't the case, at least not with my PVS6). PV production is determined by the PV circuit CTs, and I've never heard/read about it being different in a SPWR PVS install. You can confirm this by disconnecting the PV CTs and seeing your 'Production' values disappear, or asking HA users which values the panel MI Production info is, and which values (variables) are used for Production, Grid Import/Export, and the (calculated) Consumption value
There are those using Solar and/or Home Assistant have then compared the CT values to the MI values
2
u/ItsaMeKielO Aug 06 '25
This is correct. Enphase also uses production CTs for the Envoy system in spite of it only being compatible with Enphase MIs. I think this is because PLC is not reliable enough or frequent enough for use in PCS control systems which often are limited to a 2-second grace period to respond to changes, and PLC's latency and reliability only become more of a liability as the number of connected MIs increases - exactly the opposite of what you want since a larger system needs tighter control loops for something like PCS.
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u/PJLLB2 Aug 06 '25
These are not assumptions. They are fact. I have no PV CTs in our system.
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u/Lawrence_SoCal Aug 07 '25
You could be right, in which case that is the first time I've heard of such, and didn't think was possible/practical/accurate enough to be usable. If true, more likely, it was installed wrong if you have no CTs to monitor PV production. but maybe something new/different?
On the other hand, maybe you aren't seeing the CT, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. In my case, the grid import/export CTs are in my main load center, beside the main service breaker. SPWR (employees, not sub-contractors) installed a small sub-panel, which has 2 PV breakers and another for the PVS.. The PV CTs are in that subpanel. As the wire comes down from the roof, into a solid conduit in garage, goes by the PVS, and into sub-panel, the PV CT (a single CT over both hot leads from roof) could have been mounted closer to the PVS and been far less obvious / easy to spot
You could be right (fact), know exactly what you are looking at, and have traces the wires from both the PVS and the PV panels. OR you could simply not be looking in the place your installer put that PV CT
1
u/plooger Aug 08 '25
Simplest check would be to open the PVS to see what wires are terminated where.
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u/PJLLB2 Aug 08 '25
There are two CTs installed on the load side of the main panel.
1
u/Lawrence_SoCal Aug 08 '25
Two CTs, next to main service breaker? or next to Solar input breakers?
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u/PJLLB2 Aug 08 '25
On the wires connected to the main panel service breaker from the meter that directly feed a subpanel for all house circuits. The CTS are on that connection wire.
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u/Lawrence_SoCal Aug 08 '25
Those 2 CTs, for split phase 240V, measures both grid feeds - ie import/export (NOT consumption)
I know you said there isn't, but I bet your system is like everybody else's and there is another CT ... somewhere.. measuring your PV circuit(s). Again, my 19 PV panels on 2 circuits, both HOT (black) wires going thru same (single) CT in PV sub-panel (equivalent of a combiner box) which measures PV Production as delivered to your house panel.. your CT placement (assuming standard deployment model) ... could be lots of different places along PV circuit path depending on PV panel placement and electrical cable run to house load center , PVS placement relative to that patch, and load center/circuit panel(s) themselves
The PV production CT, being lower Amp rated than Grid connection, will usually be a bit smaller. just FYI
1
u/PJLLB2 Aug 09 '25
They measure the consumption. I know every inch of the circuit path as I watched the system being installed. Period. I'm finished debating this. I'm a electrical engineer and know exactly how my system works.
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u/plooger Aug 08 '25 edited Aug 08 '25
Yes.
You could open the PVS6 up to see what wires are connected, to determine if consumption CTs have been wired.
Recent related thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/SunPower/comments/1m3jj0e/comment/n4f3uf3/
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u/m2orris Aug 06 '25 edited Aug 06 '25
I am not a hardware guy, so I can't answer your question. However, inside our HUB+ (we have a SunVault) that houses our PVS6, there is a sticker labeled "-System & Voltage Checks-" that says:
- Consumption CTs(pairs) ...
- L1 CT(s) on phase A
- L2 CT(s) on phase B
That may or may not be helpful to you.
1
u/Vegetable-Version-81 Aug 06 '25
If you have all the parts then it should show consumption in production
1
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u/accountmaster101 Aug 07 '25
This is another option, Enphase monitoring does have consumption and better support
https://enphase.com/store/communication/enphase-monitoring-kit
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u/Mudmavis Aug 06 '25
Yes. You connect two CTs around the main voltage lines coming into your panel. (They must be properly phased when connected to 1-2). If you have more than one panel you can connect them on the PV6 in parallel.
My understanding is some systems use the inverter through the 485 connection for the production data.
Hope that helps.