How Spotpilot Works – Under the Hood
Spotpilot isn’t just a sleek and compact device – beneath the surface, advanced software is at work to help you make the most of your self-produced solar energy and battery storage. By using forecasts for solar production, expected electricity consumption, and current spot prices, Spotpilot can make smart decisions about when it's best to store or use energy.
1. Data Collection
To make accurate calculations, Spotpilot gathers information from multiple sources:
- Solar forecasts: How much energy can your solar panels be expected to produce in the coming hours or days?
- Consumption forecasts: What does your household’s energy usage typically look like at different times?
- Spot prices: What’s the current electricity price on the market, and how is it expected to change throughout the day?
2. Optimization Using Linear Programming
Once Spotpilot has all the necessary data, it uses a method called linear programming to calculate the most cost-effective way to manage your battery storage. In practice, this means the system can predict when it's most beneficial to:
- Store excess energy in the battery for later use
- Discharge the battery when electricity prices are high
- Use cheap electricity from the grid when solar production is low
By balancing these factors, Spotpilot ensures you always have the right amount of energy at the right time – ultimately leading to lower electricity costs.
3. Continuous Adjustment
Spotpilot is dynamic and constantly adapts to changes in weather, prices, and your behavior. If forecasts show more sunshine than expected or if the electricity price suddenly spikes, the system automatically adjusts its plan to ensure the best possible outcome.
4. Simple Overview in the App
Everything runs in the background, but you can track what's happening directly in the Spotpilot app. There you’ll see how much energy you’re producing, how the battery is charging, and when you’re buying or selling electricity. With clear graphs and statistics, you can easily track your savings and see how the system is optimizing your energy usage.