Quick question for anyone who uses HA and GivTCP with its Solar Forecasting via Solcast....
I have configured Solcast into GivTCP's configuration including my GE API Key, but nothing happens. Silly question, but do I need to install anything else to get Solcast working ?
Phil89a restarted the GivTCP add-on?
TX200 Yep I had restarted. Newbie at this, so well confused why it doesn't work; hence thinking I may have missed something obvious
Phil89a what do you mean by Solcast working? Have you installed the separate Solcast add on too? If so, this will need to be set up as well. GivTCP only needs Solcast info if you want it to automatically charge your battery overnight
Have you set the timings for your cheap rate in GivTCP. The target SOC is only set 10 minutes before the cheap rate starts.
Cdent I haven't installed the Solcast add-on - I was wondering if I needed to or not
naltsta Yes I have set the cheap rate times in GivTCP configuration. Didn't know it only changes the Target SOC 10 minutes before - which makes sense 🙂
Do I need the Solcast add-on to get the forecast overlay on the energy cards ?
Phil89a forecast.solar built in can do that. It should be available via settings then integrations.
TX200 Thanks - will take a look
All sorted now. It was the lack of knowledge on my part. Solcast is now working on GivTCP to set the target SOC (according to the logs it is working) and I need to install the Solcast Integration for Home Assistant to get the forecast showing on the Solar Energy Cards.
So all sorted and lots learnt
Thanks
Note that it makes no difference what the Solcast forecast is at this time of year - the SoC target will always be set to 100% from October to March unless you've modified the "winter months" in the automation.
Vestas Yep understand. I haven't changed the Winter or Shoulder Months leaving them as is in the GivTCP Configuration. But I am ready for May next year 🙂
Phil89a When using the Solcast integration you need to use an automation to manually update the values as it is not done automatically.
You want to call this service in the automation "solcast_solar.update_forecasts"
Either set the automation to run just before you want to use the Solcast values or at regular interval (just not too often as you don't want exceed your 10 API calls per day)
athresuk that's correct for the Predbat add-on; however, the in-built PALM (SmartTarget) code queries Solcast directly when it runs.
My understand (still learning!) is that my 2 PV arrays will consume two API calls. So I use 2 at 13:50 when the in-built PALM fires off to set the Target SOC. That leaves me 8 API calls, so I have automated Solcast to update during daylight hours 4 times, using all my API allowance.
I think I have understood this correctly and I think it is working as it should 🙂
Phil89a are you using solcast on the givenergy dashboard too? More API calls…
naltsta Not any longer. Removed it from the GE dashboard 🙂
Phil89a 13:50... are you using PALM to set the SoC target for an afternoon charge?
stevelewis Mistype 🙂. Did mean 01:50. But given my Smart Meter is currently 12 hours out, it might be better to set it to start charging at 14:00 🙂 🙂