Growatt Inverter incorrect import data

I have a Growatt inverter (SPH5000) connected to 14 panels and 2 batteries. The system seems to work fine but the data on imported electricity from the grid is worrying. The inverter data (via the app) shows minimal import. However the smart meter (Landis GYR E470) shows around 5 kwh a day being consumed. Is this likely to e a faulty inverter or is it more likely that it was installed or configured correctly.

I managed to get the smart meter to show current power usage and it was showing about 0.2kwh when the inverter was recording 0.

Thanks

Hi.

Very similar issue here with SPH 3600. Export to grid figures are close but import figures from inverter are always much lower than the smart meter.

Did you get anywhere with this?

Cheers

HappyPuppett said:

I have a Growatt inverter (SPH5000) connected to 14 panels and 2 batteries. The system seems to work fine but the data on imported electricity from the grid is worrying. The inverter data (via the app) shows minimal import. However the smart meter (Landis GYR E470) shows around 5 kwh a day being consumed. Is this likely to e a faulty inverter or is it more likely that it was installed or configured correctly.

I managed to get the smart meter to show current power usage and it was showing about 0.2kwh when the inverter was recording 0.

Thanks

Click to expand...

I have the same issue,did you manage to find a solution?

Look at what is giving the info to the Growatt, is it a CT clamp ? If so then check its been put in the right place and the arrow is pointing in the right direction.

I've the same issue. Just in 5 days my smart meter states 106kwh usage and Growatt states 91kwh usage? this is a little concerning as this could be costing me over £200 a year?. I'm due to upgrade my D Board and replace my sdm120 for a sdm230, I'm even thinking about a about an MID approved meter to make sure I'm being charged correctly. Do you think it's worth the effort?

You have to know what the current issue is before you can apply a solution, if the problem is a firmware issue inside the inverter then no amount of changing meters is going to fix that. I don't have a Growatt so can't help directly but you need to get a data logger connected that tells you what the meter readings are and what the Growatt is doing when the meter reports export.

kommando said:

You have to know what the current issue is before you can apply a solution, if the problem is a firmware issue inside the inverter then no amount of changing meters is going to fix that. I don't have a Growatt so can't help directly but you need to get a data logger connected that tells you what the meter readings are and what the Growatt is doing when the meter reports export.

Click to expand...

I fully agree, Information is key. So as a matter of course and me being me. I'm looking at the following. Take a KWh reading from the smart meter, Growatt SDM120 and a cheap and cheerful KWh unit thats also connected to the mains.
Leave for 1 week and check the results. All things being equal all units should report back the same KWh usage thus removing any errors from the Growatt Inverter software.

So for reference and if anybody is interested.
Smart Meter, 355KWh
SMD120, 452.52KWh
Smart Life, 725.99KWh
All readings taken Sunday 10th March @ 16.20.
Will feed back in a week or so with results and any next steps.

The other test, which you need to wait for the right conditions for, is too see what happens at the point of a surplus being generated as this could be set too early. IE when the Growatt thinks the export is nil there could still actually be drawing in of say 40W, this 40W import added up over time could explain the difference. This could be part of Growatt's firmware to ensure you never export, not really needed for the UK as you are not penalised for exporting. But for France and Spain consumers get charged for exporting at the same rate as importing so its beneficial to always import at a small rate.