dSolar is a complex of programs for monitoring and managing your solar power plant.

dSolar consists of:

• dSolard - the server program for collecting and processing information from equipment sensors
• dSolar - the client program is designed for data visualization
• dSolarLite - the combined application (both server and client) in one application

The number of devices that can be connected to dSolar is not limited.

Any device that supports command transmission via the modbus protocol can be connected to dSolar.

If your device works using the Modbus-RTU protocol, you can connect it as shown in the diagrams:

Connecting via
rs485 or rs232 cable

Connecting via
Wifi

If your device works using the Modbus-TCP protocol, you can connect it as shown in the diagrams:

Connecting via
Ethernet

Connecting via
Wifi

When clicking on the Solar Panel Indicator opens the PV dynamic data window. This window presents the data in section existing equipment (MPPT tracker). Textual, graphical, diagrammatic information is displayed dynamically with a second-by-second change based on the latest sensor values. For graphs, you can specify the visualization of data for the last minute, the last ten minutes, or the last hour.

General PV dynamic data

Device PV dynamic data

Clicking on the icon located in the lower right corner of the solar panel indicator opens a window of historical PV data. Histogram of energy and graphs by sensors.

PV energy per day

PV energy per month

PV energy per year

Historical data on equipment sensors is available for any day. Graphs can be scaled to the seconds interval.

PV sensors

PV sensors graph
(zoomed)

When clicking on the Battery Panel Indicator opens the Battery dynamic data window. This window presents the data in section existing equipment (Inverter). Textual, graphical, diagrammatic information is displayed dynamically with a second-by-second change based on the latest sensor values. For graphs, you can specify the visualization of data for the last minute, the last ten minutes, or the last hour.

Battery dynamic data for
SmartShunt

Clicking on the icon located in the lower right corner of the Battery Panel Indicator opens a window of historical Battery data. Histogram of energy and graphs by sensors.

The energy diagram is supplemented by two graphs:

• "Δ Delta" - the difference between charge and discharge energy
• "Σ Summation" - the amount of energy from the beginning of the day/month, year

Battery energy
charge/discharge per day

Battery energy
charge/discharge per month

Battery energy
charge/discharge per year

Historical data on equipment sensors is available for any day. Graphs can be scaled to the seconds interval.

Battery sensors

Battery sensors graph
(zoomed)

Clicking on the icon located in the lower right corner of the transducer panel indicator opens a window of Energy use data.

Energy use per day

Energy use per month

Energy use per year

Clicking on the icon located in the lower right corner of the transducer panel indicator opens a window of Power use data.

Power use
during the day

Based on forecasts of solar radiation and real energy generation by your solar station for the previous days, forecasts of solar generation for the next 7 days and daily forecast charts are created.

Solar generation forecast

The program informs about server communication problems with the equipment by showing the server message icon on the dashboard.

Server message
on dashboard

Clicking on the icon takes you to the window with list of all existing server messages. Also, this list is available from the main menu.

List of Server
message

Viewing the full text of the server message is also available.

Server message
detailed

The program can send critical messages to the Telegram messenger.

Critical
message in Telegram

By default, messages are not sent. To send critical messages, it is necessary to activate a specific message and specify the limit parameters of sensor values.

Configure
critical message

Also, you need to connect the dSolard_bot

Add chatbot
dSolard_bot

ESS is designed to optimally use energy from various sources (PV, Battery, Grid) to ensure minimal energy loss and increase battery life.

ESS manages the moments of connection/disconnection from the grid, battery charging/discharging, and battery charging to the absorption state depending on the set SOC and charging current values.

ESS Configure

The current state in which the ESS is located is displayed on the instrument panel, with information about the main parameters of the transition from one state to another.

Charge From Grid to
Absorption state

Discharge to
Percent state

Keep SOC
state

Charge to
Percent state

For correct operation of ESS, the following options must be set in the Deye/Sunsynk inverter settings:

• Disable "Time of use" mode
• Choose Energy pattern "Load First" mode

To connect/disconnect from the grid, a controlled external relay must be used.

To control external relays, a visual tool is available to create individual rules for turning relays on and off.

The principle of creating rules is as follows:

• First, after selecting the required sensor, you create an expression comparing the sensor value with a simple arithmetic operation, or the value of another sensor.
• Then, you combine these arithmetic operations with logical operations by visually moving the expressions in the desired way.

There is a corresponding toolkit for checking the rule you created, which allows you to detect syntax errors and execute the rule, resulting in the rule's value: true or false.

Relay rule visual tool

This functionality is intended for the user to create requests to any solar equipment that supports the modbus protocol for obtain the sensors values.

According to the documentation for your solar device, you enter the register numbers in which the sensor values are stores.

The program will receive data from these registers, process and store them.

Connection parameters:

• Port - interface of usb to rs485/rs232 adapters to which the solar equipment is connected
• Modbus address - modbus address of the solar device
• Baud rate - is a simple integer that specifies the connection speed
• Parity - is one of the following letters: N, O, E, M, S; respectively signifying the parity options of “none”, “odd”, “even”, “mark”, or “space”
• Data bits - the number of data bits from 5 to 8
• Stop bits - the number of stop bits and should be the 1 or 2

Register parameters:

• Register name - the name of the variable in which the final, pre-processed value of the register(s) will be stored
  For example: PV1_U - voltage of the first MPPT tracker
• Address low word - register address in decimal format for 1-16 bit data
  For use in Expression the value of this register is stored in the variable Register name + suffix _L
  For example: PV1_U_L
• Address high word - register address in decimal format for 17-32 bit data
  For use in Expression the value of this register is stored in the variable Register name + suffix _H
  For example: PV1_U_H
• Addition and Multiplier - Used for mathematical operation on the register value according to the formula:
  
  (register_value + Addition) * Multiplier
• Expression - any mathematical operation on the value of registers.
  You can use the variables Register name, low word register value, high word register value in the Expression.
  For example: $PV1_U * $PV1_I - we will get the Power of the first MPPT tracker
• Decimal places - specifies the number of digits to appear to the right of the decimal point
  For example: 230.4538 will round to 230.45 if decimal places is equal 2
• Modbus function - modbus fuction for read register according to the device documentation

Modbus map for
Epever MPPT charger

To calculate SOC, you can use the internal algorithm. It uses the values of the discharge current and the battery charge current that has been used since the end of the absorption process.

To be able to calculate SOC, you need to specify the data in the device settings.

Configure equipment
for calculate SOC

The first time, after enabling the internal SOC calculation algorithm, you need to wait for the absorption process to end and switch to the float charge state. At this point, the SOC will be set to 100 percent and the process of calculating it will begin.

The SOC calculation algorithm is based on counting coulombs during battery charging and discharging, taking into account the Peukert coefficient.

If necessary, you can adjust the current that the inverter consumes in idle state by specifying a corrected value in the field "Current calibration". For battery, negative current means discharge, positive current means charge.

To test the algorithm, the current values from the Victron SmartShunt were used. The SOC value calculated in the program was compared with the SOC value calculated by the SmartShunt. After two days of measurements, both graphs were compared. The graphs were identical! No differences! When using the Deye inverter current sensor, the discrepancy was 20 percent compared to the Victron SmartShunt data. However, after adjusting for the inverter's quiescent current consumption, the SOC discrepancy was 1.8 percent.

You can configure the program to only calculate the SOC of your battery. To do this, you need to use the Modbus map functionality, specifying registers to read data from your equipment on battery voltage and current.

The Energy Control function allows you to automatically control the solar power plant by changing the system parameters.

You have more than 30 sensors, virtual sensors, date-time functions, including a solar generation forecast, adapted to the specifics of the placement of your solar panels.

Based on the sensors, you create mathematical expressions, combine them with logical operations into a rule. If the rules are true, the equipment control commands you created are executed.

• You can turn on the battery charge at low electricity prices, and turn on full sales, including from the battery, at high prices.
• You can reduce the battery charge current when entering the absorption charge stage.
• You can maintain the battery SOC within certain limits, and charge to absorption once every number of days you specify.
• Or, recharge the battery more today, because the solar radiation forecast is low for tomorrow.

The controllability of the equipment is practically unlimited. Any equipment that supports the modbus protocol can be controlled.

Rule & Executors
for Energy Control

In the screenshot, a command is executed for a Deye single-phase inverter that reduces the battery charging current to 10 amps if the current battery charge state is absorption and the battery charging current specified in the inverter settings is greater than 10 amps.

First of all, you need to create a rule. How to create a rule is described in detail in Relay rule visual tool, and shown in the video Relay control by Deye inverter sensors

Then, you need to add an executor, and describe which device to send the modbus command to change the value of which register.

Executor attributes

This functionality allows you to control the equipment according to hourly electricity prices (Day Ahead Market). This allows you to use your solar power plant efficiently to get more financial benefits. You can consume electricity when it is cheap and sell electricity during hours when it is expensive.

With Energy control, you can create rules using additional sensors that describe the state of the "Day Ahead Market".

For Ukraine, current electricity prices are obtained from www.oree.com.ua

• DamCostCurrent - Current cost of electricity
• DamCostMin - Minimum cost of electricity for the current day
• DamCostMax - Maximum cost of electricity for the current day
• DamCostAvg - Average cost of electricity for the current day
• DamClkCostMin01 - Number of seconds from the beginning of the epoch\nfor the minimum cost of electricity
• DamClkCostMin02 - Number of seconds from the beginning of the epoch for the next minimum electricity cost.
  So: DamClkCostMin01 < DamClkCostMin02 < DamClkCostMin03
• DamClkCostMin03 - Number of seconds from the beginning of the epoch for the next minimum electricity cost.
  So: DamClkCostMin02 < DamClkCostMin03 < DamClkCostMin04
• DamClkCostMin04 - Number of seconds from the beginning of the epoch for the next minimum electricity cost.
  So: DamClkCostMin03 < DamClkCostMin04
• DamClkCostMax21 - Number of seconds from the beginning of the epoch for the previous maximum electricity cost.
  So: DamClkCostMax21 < DamClkCostMax22
• DamClkCostMax22 - Number of seconds from the beginning of the epoch for the previous maximum electricity cost.
  So: DamClkCostMax21 < DamClkCostMax22 < DamClkCostMax23
• DamClkCostMax23 - Number of seconds from the beginning of the epoch for the previous maximum electricity cost.
  So: DamClkCostMax22 < DamClkCostMax23 < DamClkCostMax24
• DamClkCostMax24 - Number of seconds from the beginning of the epoch for the maximum cost of electricity

On the picture shows a example of a simple rule that enables the sale of electricity at the maximum price:

Simple Rule

The rule we created says that:

If the indicator is used on the main instrument panel where they are displayed generalized data on all generating equipment. Otherwise, data on specific equipment is displayed.

Solar panel indicator

Indicators of the indicator (from left to right, top to bottom):

1. Maximum power for the current day
2. Cyclic values of voltage, current, power, temperature separately for each of the strings
3. Instantaneous power value
4. Percentage of the instantaneous power value relative to the nominal value (set during equipment configuration)
5. Energy generated during the current day
6. Solar generation forecast for today
7. Solar generation forecast for tomorrow

If the indicator is used on the main instrument panel, they are displayed generalized data on batteries. Otherwise, data on specific equipment is displayed.

Battery indicator

Indicators of the indicator (from left to right, top to bottom):

1. Cyclic values of voltage, current, power, SOC separately for each of the device
2. Battery state: Charge(Ch), Discharge(Di), Float(Fl), Absorption(Ab)
3. Maximum charging current for the current day
4. Maximum discharge current for the current day
5. Maximum charge capacity for the current day
6. Maximum discharge capacity for the current day
7. Battery charge in percent
8. Battery voltage
9. Instantaneous charge/discharge power value
10. Instantaneous charge/discharge current value
11. Percentage of power from maximum
12. Total charge energy for the current day
13. Total discharge energy for the current day
14. Remaining charge/discharge time
15. Energy in ampere-hours until fully charged

If the indicator is used on the main instrument panel, they are displayed generalized load data. Otherwise, data on specific equipment is displayed.

Load indicator

Indicators of the indicator (from left to right, top to bottom):

1. Maximum load capacity for the current day
2. Instantaneous load power value
3. Percentage of power from maximum
4. Total energy consumed by the load for the current day

If the indicator is used on the main instrument panel, they are displayed data over the public grid.

Grid indicator

Indicators of the indicator (from left to right, top to bottom):

1. Frequency of alternating current of the grid
2. Maximum power consumption for the current day
3. Maximum export capacity for the current day
4. Off Grid - signals the physical disconnection of the grid from the inverters
5. Instantaneous values of power, voltage and percentage of instantaneous power from equipment power
6. Total energy consumption for the current day
7. Total energy exported for the current day

Indicator is used on the main instrument panel where they are displayed data from the sensors of the transducer.

Temperature indicator sliders have dynamic initial and final temperature values, which are, respectively, the minimum and the maximum temperature value for the current day.

Transducer indicator

Indicators of the indicator (from left to right, top to bottom):

1. AC frequency of the transducer
2. Transducer voltage
3. Transducer efficiency(useful energy ÷ all energy) and the power lost during invertion
4. Current temperature value of the DC transformer
5. Current radiator temperature value
6. The transducer's own energy consumption for the current day

The real-time solar monitoring system is built on the basis of client-server technology. dSolard server program (or dSolarLite all in one program) operates on a Raspbery or Linux x86_64 microcomputer (Android and Linux x86_64 for dSolarLite) and communicates with the equipment by receiving and storing sensor data every seconds.

The dSolar client program is designed for data processing and visualization, it runs on Windows and Android. Number of dSolar client programs that can be connected to one server dSolard or dSolarLite is not limited. All of them will receive data from the server in asynchronous mode. That is, immediately as soon as the data arrives from the equipment sensors.

The dSolarLite program is both a server and a client (all in one).

To receive monitoring data via the Internet, you need to mapped port 7493 through your router to the dSolard or dSolarLite server.

1. Install the dSolard server progran on the Linux MiniPC for store data in the database and communicate with equipment via rs485 or wifi;
2. Use the dSolar client program for local or remote monitoring;

1. Install the dSolarLite progran on the Linux desktop for communicate with equipment via rs485 or wifi and store data in the database and for local monitoring, or on the Android tablet for communicate with equipment via wifi and store data in the database and for local monitoring;
   On Android, it is necessary to ensure constant and uninterrupted operation of dSolarLite - prevent the device from falling asleep.
2. Use the dSolar client program for remote monitoring;

The dSolard server or dSolarLite processes data from the following equipment:

• Any Solar devices (inverter, charger, mppt, ...) with support for the modbus protocol. Please see Modbus map
• Deye one phase low voltage hybrid inverters;
• Epever MPPT controllers;
• Victron ve.can MPPT chargers, SmartShunt;
• dtwonder network relay block;

Hybrid Deye Sunsynk inverter

The equipment is connected to the Raspberry or MiniPC using specialized cables with a built-in inverter interfaces rs485 to USB or via wifi connecting to the logger.

To connect the DEYE inverter to the PS, I use the FTDI FT232RL USB TO RJ45 adapter.

Connector for Deye
SUN-6K-SG03LP1-EU

Pinout of RS485 cable for
Deye, Sunsync

Epever MPPT AN

The equipment is connected to the Raspberry or MiniPC using specialized cables with a built-in inverter interfaces rs485 to USB.

Victron

All Victron ve.can MPPT chargers can be connected to the dSolar via usb to can adapter. I use the CANable USB to CAN Canbus adapter. Please, choose Isolated version this adapter, she supports Linux SocketCAN interface.

The SmartShunt is connected to the Raspberry or MiniPC using VE.Direct to USB cable.

For the victron equipment, dSolar can be installed on the Linux mini PC or Venus OS.

The installation steps on PC are described in dSolard server installation

The dSolar server archive contains the socket CAN interface autoconfiguration file (80-socketcan.rules). Copy it to the appropriate directory /etc.

I use the first channel of the relay block to dump the excess energy to heat the water. And uses the second channel of relay block for disconnects the grid when it is not needed.

Consider the rules for turning on and off the water heating relay:

Configure relay block

Water heating is turned on if:

Water heating is turned off if:

Manual relay control is also possible:

Manual relay control

The current state of the relay is displayed on the dashboard:

Relay on dashboard

The list of relay events for the last 7 days:

List of relay events

I am using dtwonder four channel relay block.

Bought here: dtwonder relay block

dtwonder Relay

To make the relay work with the dSolar server, you need to perform the following settings:

1. Configure relay as TCP client
2. Choose a Dingtian string as a protocol
3. Set parameter Remote address as a dSolard server ip-address
4. Set parameter Remote port as a 7494
5. Set parameter Keep Alive Second as a 1

dtwonder relay settings

The dSolard, dSolarLite and dSolar programs do not require any additional configuration operating systems on which they function.

Step-by-step instruction for install dSolard on Raspberry PI or Debian:

1. Install and configure the dSolar client program
2. Add your equipment using the dSolar client program

Step-by-step instruction for upgrade dSolard on Raspberry PI or Debian:

Reindex and vacuum database:

First of all, you need to specify the IP-address or dns-name of the dSolard(dSolarLite) server in the dSolar program settings.

Use all other settings according to your own preferences.

To receive monitoring data via the Internet, you need to mapped port 7493 through your router to the dSolard or dSolarLite server.

Here is an example of a router configuration for mapping a dSolard or dSolarLite server port:

Port Mapping

After starting the client program for the first time, you must specify the IP address of the dSolard server in the settings:

Initial configuration

The equipment configuration is allowed only when the dSolard server is running in configuration mode:

For dSolarLite the equipment configuration is allowed only from local device on which the dSolarLite program is running.

And add your equipment:

Equipment

When changing equipment communication data ("Port" or "MODBUS Address") or adding new equipment - it is necessary restart the dSolard server or dSolarLite program.

After completing the equipment configuration, it is necessary to start dSolard server in normal mode (without attribute "configure"):

For the dSolard server I have successfully used raspberry, but recently, there has been a significant shortage of Raspberry computers. For my own use, I switched to a mini-PC.

Bought here: Beelink Mini S

I am satisfied with the computer.

Mini-PC as dSolard server

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