For homeowners with solar PV + inverter
- Estimate daily savings, monthly & yearly cost reduction, and payback time from the SolarBoost add-on (R5,000).
What it does
- Simulates a day at 15-minute or hourly resolution (depending on model).
- Calculates available solar = min(Inverter kW, PV peak × PV profile).
- Sheds flexible loads by priority only when demand exceeds available solar.
- Compares grid import (kWh) and cost (R) with vs without SolarBoost.
- Computes payback from monthly savings vs device price.
Quick inputs (edit these first)
Inverter AC limit (kW) 5.0 PV array peak (kW) 4.0 Fixed tariff (R/kWh) 2.50 SolarBoost price (R) 5000 BaseLoad (kW) 0.5 Geyser kW / Flex / Priority 3.0 / Y / 1 Pool Pump kW / Flex / Priority 1.0 / Y / 2 Dishwasher kW / Flex / Priority 1.2 / Y / 3 Oven kW (fixed) 2.5
How to use (60 seconds)
- Open the workbook or the web calculator. Go to the Inputs/Loads sections.
- Enter your inverter kW, PV peak kW, tariff (R/kWh), and SolarBoost price.
- Set load kW. Mark flexible loads (Y/N) and set priority: 1 → 2 → 3.
- Leave default schedules or shift flexible loads towards midday sun.
- Review Dashboard/Results: daily grid (kWh), daily cost (R), savings and payback.
What you’ll see
- Daily grid import (kWh): w/o SB vs WITH SB
- Daily cost (R) and daily savings (kWh & R)
- Monthly & yearly savings (R)
- Payback (months / years) vs R5,000 price
Tips to maximise savings
- Make geyser and pool pump flexible; set geyser as Priority 1.
- Shift geyser heating into solar hours where possible (10:00–14:00).
- Keep PV peak realistic and ≤ inverter kW for accurate limits.
- Use an up-to-date tariff (R/kWh).
Assumptions
- Simplified model: no detailed battery state-of-charge or TOU in base setup.
- Weather/seasonal PV changes not included (generic PV bell curve).
- Device ratings are approximate; actual draw may vary.
- Estimate daily savings, monthly & yearly cost reduction, and payback time from the SolarBoost add-on (R5,000).
What it does
- Simulates a day at 15-minute or hourly resolution (depending on model).
- Calculates available solar = min(Inverter kW, PV peak × PV profile).
- Sheds flexible loads by priority only when demand exceeds available solar.
- Compares grid import (kWh) and cost (R) with vs without SolarBoost.
- Computes payback from monthly savings vs device price.
Quick inputs (edit these first)
| Inverter AC limit (kW) | 5.0 |
|---|---|
| PV array peak (kW) | 4.0 |
| Fixed tariff (R/kWh) | 2.50 |
| SolarBoost price (R) | 5000 |
| BaseLoad (kW) | 0.5 |
| Geyser kW / Flex / Priority | 3.0 / Y / 1 |
| Pool Pump kW / Flex / Priority | 1.0 / Y / 2 |
| Dishwasher kW / Flex / Priority | 1.2 / Y / 3 |
| Oven kW (fixed) | 2.5 |
How to use (60 seconds)
- Open the workbook or the web calculator. Go to the Inputs/Loads sections.
- Enter your inverter kW, PV peak kW, tariff (R/kWh), and SolarBoost price.
- Set load kW. Mark flexible loads (Y/N) and set priority: 1 → 2 → 3.
- Leave default schedules or shift flexible loads towards midday sun.
- Review Dashboard/Results: daily grid (kWh), daily cost (R), savings and payback.
What you’ll see
- Daily grid import (kWh): w/o SB vs WITH SB
- Daily cost (R) and daily savings (kWh & R)
- Monthly & yearly savings (R)
- Payback (months / years) vs R5,000 price
Tips to maximise savings
- Make geyser and pool pump flexible; set geyser as Priority 1.
- Shift geyser heating into solar hours where possible (10:00–14:00).
- Keep PV peak realistic and ≤ inverter kW for accurate limits.
- Use an up-to-date tariff (R/kWh).
Assumptions
- Simplified model: no detailed battery state-of-charge or TOU in base setup.
- Weather/seasonal PV changes not included (generic PV bell curve).
- Device ratings are approximate; actual draw may vary.
Full homeowner manual (online): https://www.powerpulseinnovations.co.za/solarboost-savings-calculator-manual/