Self-Service Onboarding - Sungrow

Welcome to the Self-Service Onboarding guide, if you get stuck or are not sure at any step, please reach out to us via the contact page.

Step 1: Self Qualify as a Simple Site

If you have a simple site, please feel free to step through the Self Service Onboarding guide. If you have a complex site, or are not sure, please reach out on the Contact page.

Step 2: Order your Hardware & Subscription

Powston's fee's and charges are as follows:

 - Hardware: $250/controller
 - Subscription: $10/month

Click Here to Place your Order


Solar Installers ordering on behalf of customers, send a purchase order to service at powston dot com.

These prices are open to early adopter customers and are subject to change.

Step 3: Join a Wholesale Retailer 

If you're already on LocalVolts please skip this step.

Powston isn't an energy retailer, so you will still need to retain an energy retailer. To make the best use of the spread (high and low) of energy prices, we recommend engaging a wholesale retailer.

Most of our customers are registered with Local Volts as they pass through the AEMO Spot prices directly to the consumer. Generally you will need to be located within a region such as South East Queensland (on the Energex network), NSW, ACT, SA, TAS to be elligible. 

1. Click Here to Register with Local Volts
2. Email LocalVolts to let them know you are a Powston Customer.

Please note: It can take up to 2 weeks for your current energy retailer to release you, continue the below steps while you wait.

If you'd like to use another retailer, please contact us.

Step 4: Add Powston as a Channel Partner

This will give Powston access to see your Inverters data via the Sungrow API, we can take limited control over your inverter via API, which is why we also required the hardware.

1. Login to iSolarCloud: https://au.isolarcloud.com/ 
2. Select your Plant from the list
3. Select Plant Configuration
4. Add Powston as a Channel Partner

Step 5: Login to Powston

Login to Powston: app.powston.com

You will need to use the same email address you use to login to Sungrow.

At this point, you should be able to see your Inverter's details coming through.  Powston will not be controlling your inverter just yet until you have instructed us to Take Control.

Note: If you are already on LocalVolts (or another wholesale retailer), you can complete Step 7.

Step 6: Install your Controller

Once you have placed your order in an earlier step, we will assemble and ship you a controller. Controllers are prepared just in time for orders. Sometimes we are subject to delays with parts. Usually customers receive controllers within 2 weeks of ordering.

Once we assemble your controller, you will receive an email from  "Sendle" about the shipping being arranged.

Installation guide for Ethernet based controllers:

Or follow the installation guide for Wi-Fi setup.

Step 7: Send Powston your NMI & Tarrif Info

If you are a Local Volts customer please confirm your NMI and Tarrif details by sending a screenshot of htis page to Powston (service at powston dot com).
 

Step 8: Let Powston take Control

Double Check you are Ready:

1. Registered with LocalVolts and received the confirmation you are now on LocalVolts?
2. Advised LocalVolts via email you are a Powston Customer?
3. Added Powston as a Channel Partner?
4. Installed your Controller (you can skip this step, but it is recommended)?
5. Confirmed you can login at app.powston.com and see your inverter?

Then its time to take the next step:

Email service at powston dot com to let us know you are ready for Powston to take Control of your inverter!

Step 9: Review the Platform Overview

Watch the Platform Overview to learn how to use the Powston Platform:

Step 10: Exploring Energy Trading Algorithims

Generally, the trading algorithim that Powston offers by default will aim optimise around your energy bill. This can be counter intuitive, for example if is more cost effective to sell energy at 6pm for 40c / kWh, and buy energy at 2am for 15c/kWh. 

We generally aim to do the following:

• Ensure the battery is full by 4pm each day - ideally from solar, but if not available from the grid. 
• Sell the energy back to the grid - ideally when spike prices occur, but each day we aim to fully export the battery, and get the highest price periods.
  
• Consume (house or battery), Sell or Curtail solar in that priority order.
• Buy energy from the grid if you can get paid to do so, even if that means curtailing solar.
• Balance self consuming your battery, with trading with the grid. 
• Optimisation varies depending on the size of your system, e.g. where batteries are smaller than nightly consumption.
  
  If you'd like to understand further, then we recommend reading:
• Unlock Hidden Battery Profits with this Use it or lose it trick
  
• Crafting Battery Management Rules
• Hidden Complexity of Energy Trading

Once inside the Powston platform you can join our online community via the links to Discord located near the logout button.

If you'd like to try your hand at optimising the rules to suit you better, contact us (service at powston dot com) to enquire about getting started with the custom rules engine.