I had a Voltage Optimiser installed when I got my PV system fitted. Currently it's set to 226v or there abouts.
When I'm importing or exporting the smart meter values differ to givenergy.
GE CS say it's because of the VO, so what's the ideal voltage for my GE system?
3.6kw gen1 inverter
9.5kwh gen 2 battery
Marren2016 there was a discussion about voltage optimisers a while ago on here. I can’t remember all of the discussion but my recollection was that they were a bit like snake oil, giving you something you didn’t really need. If your incoming grid voltage is too high then get the DNO to turn it down, they will if it’s out of tolerance (as happened to me).
You will get some discrepancy between the smart meter and the givenergy values, how big is it out? Over a month mine is accurate to within a kW, others have reported bigger differences.
I wonder if part of your issue is where the CT clamps for the inverter are placed, whether they are before or after the VO? Might it be that they need to be after the VO?
If the voltage is too high or too low then your inverter will stop importing or exporting. Standard voltage for the UK electricity grid is 230 volts, with a tolerance range of 216.2–253 volts so your 226 is towards the lower end but the inverter should still work OK.
One point though that when it’s exporting the grid voltage will get pulled up, and when importing it’ll get pulled down by the extra load and maybe this is causing a problem as your starting voltage is low?
e.g. My own grid supply was 232V 5 minutes ago but I’m now charging the batteries and the heat pump is running so I’m pulling in 15kW (kettle on as well), grid voltage has dropped to 220.3V.
While exporting I'd see 2.88kw on the GE app and 2.66 on smart meter display. My grid voltage was 256v before the VO was fitted.
If it makes my electronics live longer then it's money well spent imo.
Some vintage computers and a 3D TV that can't be replaced.
In winter I heat the garage with electric. So if the GE system prefers 230v then I'd get more heat from my heater. Plus the toaster and oven etc. when set to 220v the toaster took so long it dried the bread. At 226v it makes better toast so 230v would be better again, but what does GE say?