Solar mode
If you have solar panels on your roof, you're already making a smart choice for a sustainable future and lower energy costs. But did you know that you can get even more out of your solar panels by increasing your energy self-consumption? The more solar energy you use directly, the greater your savings and the less dependent you are on the energy grid. Find out how to easily gain more benefits from your own generated energy.
Why maximize self-consumption?
Self-consumption means that you use the energy generated by your solar panels directly in your own household. This could be to run electrical appliances, like your dishwasher, heat your home or charge your electric car for example. Energy that you do not use directly is delivered back to the electricity grid. Although you get a fee for this, it is usually lower than what you pay for electricity you take from the grid. By increasing your self-consumption, you use more of your own generated energy and save significantly on your energy bill.
There are a few key advantages to increasing your self-consumption:
Lower electricity bills: By using more of your own solar power, you reduce the amount of electricity you need to buy from the grid. This can help you save more money in the long run, especially when electricity prices are high.
Maximizing solar investment: Solar systems often come with a significant upfront cost. By increasing self-consumption, you're getting more out of your solar panels and making your investment more cost-effective.
Energy independence: The more you rely on your own solar energy, the less dependent you are on the grid and external power sources. This can provide some security, especially in areas with unreliable power supply.
Environmental impact: Reducing your reliance on grid electricity, which may come from fossil fuels, means you're contributing to a cleaner environment by decreasing your carbon footprint.
Increased Return on Investment (ROI): In many regions, utilities offer compensation for excess energy fed back into the grid, but the rates can be lower than the price for buying electricity. By using more of your own solar energy, you get a better ROI since you avoid those lower rates for exported energy.
In short; maximizing self-consumption with your solar system boosts its overall effectiveness and can provide more savings and benefits in the long term.
What can you do with the solar mode?
The solar mode is a routine in the Niko Home Control programming software. The solar mode measures whether there is over-production from your solar panels. Through a connection to the smart/digital meter or with the measuring clamps, Niko Home Control measures whether you are injecting electricity into the grid every second (various options can be found here: https://guide.niko.eu/en/umnhc2/lv/energy-insights). When there is a constant injection (> 300W) for a preset period, the solar mode will be able to activate appliances automatically (e.g. EV charger, heat pump, electrical boiler). You can configure which appliances, and the order in which they are activated, in the Niko Home Control programming software or in the Niko Home app.
What do you need?
Description | Connected controller + wireless bridge | Wireless smart hub |
|---|---|---|
Electricity (grid): total consumption of grid energy |
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Solar: total energy production by photovoltaic solar panels (and battery) |
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* Wireless bridge is strictly needed
Which devices can you activate with the solar mode?
Wireless smart hub | Connected controller |
|---|---|
Connected single switch, Zigbee®, 10 A | Switched device/circuit |
Connected double switch, Zigbee®, 2 x 10 A | Switched socket outlet |
Connected socket outlet, Zigbee ® | Switched ventilator |
Smart plug, Zigbee ® | HVAC thermostat |
Generic ventilation (via API) | Thermostat |
Generic heating (via API) | Push button with LED(s) and comfort sensors |
Generic warm water (via API) | Generic ventilation (via API) |
Heat pump (boiler) via switched SG ready contact | Generic heating (via API) |
Virtual device (flag) | Generic warm water (via API) |
Google assistant devices (via Google automations) | Analogue output 0-10 V used for ventilation |
Heat pump (boiler) via switched SG ready contact | |
Virtual device (flag) | |
Connected single switch, Zigbee®, 10 A (*) | |
Connected double switch, Zigbee®, 2 x 10 A (*) | |
Connected socket outlet, Zigbee ® (*) | |
Smart plug, Zigbee ® (*) | |
Google assistant devices (via Google automations) |
* Wireless bridge is strictly needed
How do I activate the connection between the solar mode and the third party device?
You can activate devices from Niko partners with a partner API.
Partner APIs
The solar mode can initiate certain actions in the partner's system. You can set the heating a few degrees higher when your solar panels are over-producing, for example, or raise the temperature of your hot water system.
More information about the various systems can be found on our partners' respective pages.
How do I deactivate the connection between the solar mode and a device?
If you do not want to activate the connected devices when your solar panels are over-producing, you can deactivate the solar mode in the Niko Home app, on the touchscreen or on the Digital black on the Control tab.
You can use the programming software or the Settings menu to add devices to the solar mode or to remove them. This way, you can continue to optimize your Niko Home Control installation.