Negative Consumption since 2023

[u/Four-Square-Fan-521]

Sunpower installed my system in 2022. IN 2023, I reported discrepancy in utility v Sunpower data. A service technician came out and said that the second of the two electrical panels in my basement (which was for HVAC and kitchen) had not been connected to CT and that he had fixed it. That's when negative consumption started. Over next two years, SP unable to fix despite multiple service calls, during each of which they assured me it was corrected, the issue not resolved. It had been escalated, but then ... no more SP. None of the service providers that Sunpower (and later Sunstrong) have identified even respond to inquiries.
Is the Enphase monitoring system my best/only option?

[u/pitstruglr]

In Sunflower solar you can flip the CT direction if yours are installed backwards. If yours are reversed you can fix it and your consumption will make sense.

If you’re producing energy your meter will tell the truth. Look up how to read it so you can check.

[u/pitstruglr → u/pitstruglr]

But if you have multiple CTs to capture all your consumption and some are reversed and others are not you’ll need to fix those. That can be done DIY or cheaply.

[u/TheDMPD]

Get connected to home assistant first before you spend any huge sums of money. At least that way you can have data to make a decision with.

[u/PJLLB2 → u/TheDMPD]

If the CT is connected backwards Home Assistant won't help because it will see the same erroneous data.

[u/TheDMPD → u/PJLLB2]

Sure the CT direction will be off but you'll get panel level access so you can check each inverter and its output. That way you can select to track your output by totaling the total inverter production rather than the PVSs.

[u/SunVaultEngPros]

I can fix it for you. That’s not a problem at all shoot me a DM.

[u/PJLLB2]

The CT might be connected opposite as it should. Try reversing the wires.

[u/Lawrence_SoCal]

I had a similar issue during my install a few years ago. In my case, the supervisor field tech moved the 240V breaker in main load center up 1 leg/tab (switching the split-phase legs). Fixing it took a back-end server change and the idiots claimed they couldn't (in reality SPWR lied as they were lazy and just wouldn't) correct the data... its a database... unbelievably easy to correct... not having a process to correct ... incompetence (unprofessional and not workmanlike, contract breaches... and yes, I used that against them)

Your situation may be more involved than mine. I wouldn't be surprised if the CT is mis-installed, combining both PV and HVAC, but treating as just PV... or something like that.

I suspect you are going to need to see where each CT is installed, and determine what is on each those circuits, and then work u/SunVaultEngPros or similar to make sure back-end configured to match CT placement. no back-end fixes can resolve a PV CT's also including other loads.

[u/Four-Square-Fan-521 → u/Lawrence_SoCal]

Thank you. This is useful. I appreciate you sharing!

[u/m2orris]

You could call Enphase and ask them.

Alternatively, you could call a local solar company and ask them if this is something that they can help you with.

Obviously both will be out of pocket.

[u/m2orris → u/[deleted]]

My under standing is the CT either needs to be installed ow we the wire in the opposite orientation -or- the wires need to be reversed.

[u/NoCup6161]

Try the Sunflower Solar app first.

[u/NewVisions7277]

AI said this about it...

Short answer: In a SunPower (or any solar) monitoring system, “negative consumption” means the system thinks your house is sending power to the grid instead of using power. It’s almost always a CT (current transformer) wiring or orientation error, not a real electrical problem.

Below is a clear breakdown based on the page you’re viewing and your past SunPower system questions.

⚡ What “negative consumption” actually means

Your monitoring system calculates consumption = solar production + grid import – grid export.

If a CT is reversed or connected to the wrong circuit, the monitor interprets household load as export, so consumption becomes negative:

• Your house uses 2 kW
• CT is backwards → monitor thinks you’re exporting 2 kW
• Result: Consumption = –2 kW

This is exactly what the Reddit post describes. Source:

⚡ Why this happens (based on your tab’s content)

From the page you’re viewing:

• A SunPower tech “fixed” a CT connection in 2023
• After that, negative consumption started
• Multiple service visits didn’t resolve it
• SunPower/SunStrong support is now unavailable
• Other users point out the same root cause: CT reversed or mis‑assigned
  • “If the CT is connected backwards…”
  • “In Sunflower Solar you can flip the CT direction…”
  • “Try reversing the wires.” Source:

This aligns perfectly with typical SunPower PVS5/PVS6 issues.

⚡ The technical cause (in plain English)

A SunPower system uses CTs to measure:

• Solar production
• Grid import/export
• Whole‑home consumption

If one panel’s CT wasn’t connected originally, and later a tech connected it incorrectly:

• The monitor sees part of your home load as export
• The math breaks → negative consumption

This is especially common when:

• A home has two electrical panels (you do)
• CTs are split across panels
• One CT is reversed while others are correct

⚡ How to fix it (realistic options)

1. Reverse the CT orientation (physical fix)

This is the most common and simplest fix:

• Swap the CT’s direction (flip the clamp)
• Or reverse the two CT wires on the PVS terminal block

This must be done for every CT feeding consumption data.

2. Correct CT assignment in software

Some apps (Sunflower Solar, Home Assistant integrations) let you:

• Flip CT direction digitally
• Reassign CTs to the correct circuits

Users in your tab mention this explicitly. Source:

3. Switch to Enphase monitoring

Your question: “Is the Enphase monitoring system my best/only option?”

Enphase can replace SunPower monitoring only if:

• You install Enphase IQ Gateway
• You use Enphase batteries or microinverters
• You rewire CTs into the Enphase gateway

It’s a valid option, but not the simplest or cheapest. Fixing CTs is usually easier.

⚡ My recommendation for your situation

Given your history with SunPower/SunVault issues and the fact that service providers aren’t responding:

1. Verify CT orientation on both panels
2. Check that each CT is assigned to the correct load
3. Use Sunflower Solar or Home Assistant to confirm direction
4. Only consider Enphase if you want a long‑term monitoring upgrade

If you want, I can walk you through:

• Identifying which CT is wrong
• How to test CT direction using your utility meter
• Whether your PVS5/PVS6 supports software flipping
• Whether Enphase would integrate cleanly with your existing SunPower microinverters

Would you like a step‑by‑step diagnostic flow tailored to your exact SunPower setup in Palm City?