Most Solar PV Systems installed by First Class Solar in Northern Ireland include solar batteries. With battery costs decreasing by a huge 90% over the last ten years, installing solar batteries has become an extremely cost-effective way for NI homeowners to save money on electricity bills.
As a homeowner in Northern Ireland with a First Class Solar and battery system, the next step to save money is switching over to an Economy 7 Tariff of your choosing by contacting your current supplier. The final step to take full advantage of the battery benefits is overnight charging on your cheaper rate, and we’re here to guide you through self-setup for this on the SolisCloud app, step by step.
Using SolisCloud to set up overnight charging on the cheaper tariff in Northern Ireland gives homeowners real-life, measurable benefits such as:
- Lower electricity bills overall
- Greater savings in low-sun periods
- More predictable and full battery charge
- Smarter energy management
- Convenience and control in one app
How to Set Up Battery Charging on the SolisCloud App (A Step-by-Step Guide)
Step 1: Log in and view your Solar Plant
Log in to the SolisCloud app using your username and password. Your household should then be visible in the “Plants” tab.
Step 2: View your Plant Overview
Click your plant to see an information overview of your Solar PV system performance.
Step 3: View Solar Inverter Details
Click “Device”, followed by “Inverter” to view your Solar Inverter Details.
Step 4: Agree to Disclaimer
Once on the “Inverter Details” page, press the three dots in the top right hand corner to see the drop-down menu. Next, click “Inverter Control”.
You will then be shown a disclaimer page. Please read through and click “Agree”.
Step 5: Enter SolisCloud App Password
You will be asked to enter your account password. This is the same password you use to log in to the Solis Cloud app. Enter this password, click “Done”, followed by “OK” in the top right hand corner.
Step 6: Navigate to “Work Mode” in the SolisCloud App
You will now be in the “Inverter Control” section of the SolisCloud app. Click “Work Mode”.
Step 7: Navigate to “Self-Use Mode” in the SolisCloud App
Once in “Work Mode”, click “Self-Use Mode”.
Step 8: Enabling in “Self-Use Mode”
In Self-Use Mode, you will need to click “Time of Use Switch” and enable this.
Next, click “Allow Grid Charging” and enable this too.
Step 9: Navigate to “Charge and Discharge”
Now that you’ve “Enabled” the Time of Use Switch and the Allow Grid Charging, your screen should look like the image alongside.
Click on “Charge and Discharge”.
Step 10: Choosing your Solar Battery Overnight Charging Times
Once you have navigated to the “Charge and Discharge” section, you can now set your charging time.
Click on Charge Time Slot 1 and set this to run from 1am – 8am (or 2am-9am, depending on your cheap tariff times). Then click “Done” to save these times.
Change the “Discharge Time Slot 1” to 00:00-00:00 to avoid having the solar batteries discharging to the grid.
Change the “Time of Use Charge Current Set” to 50A and click “Save”.
Now your batteries are set to charge on the overnight rate, so you’ll wake up each morning to full batteries from half-price electricity.
First Class Solar has seen firsthand the difference that overnight charging makes for residential homes in Northern Ireland – particularly over the winter months where solar production is lower. Being able to set the hours of charge allows you, the homeowner, the autonomy to choose when and for how long battery charging is required and to save money whilst you do so – you’re completely in charge.
Setting up overnight battery charging in the SolisCloud app is one of the easiest ways for homeowners in Northern Ireland to maximise savings for their solar battery system.
If you need help setting this up or are considering adding a solar battery to your solar PV system, get in touch with First Class Solar today for expert advice.
Call 02896 005042 or email info@firstclasssolar.co.uk.
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