Configuration guide
First get the basics set up, ensure you have the inverter controls configured, you have configured apps.yaml to your setup, and the solar forecast is in place. Make sure your energy rates are configured correctly for import and export.
If you have an EV try to set up the car charging sensor correctly so Predbat can tell what part of your historical load is EV charging. You might want to also set the car charging plan so you can predict when your car is plugged in and how much it will charge.
It is recommended that you create a dashboard page with all the required entities to control Predbat.
This page gives a summary of some of the key configuration settings you should consider in Predbat for different energy tariffs; the Predbat customisation guide details all the Predbat customisation options.
You should try to tune input_number.predbat_inverter_loss, input_number.predbat_battery_loss and input_number.predbat_battery_loss_discharge to the correct % loss for your system in order to get more accurate predictions. Around 4% for each is good for a hybrid inverter.
For a Hybrid inverter the inverter loss includes the loss on inverting PV as well going AC to DC when importing. Battery loss charge and discharge are factors to account for the loss in charging and discharging the battery as DC.
For a AC coupled inverter the inverter loss is just the loss of the battery inverter, if you need to model the loss of your PV inverter then use input_number.predbat_pv_scaling or adjust your Solcast output. Battery loss charge and discharge are factors to account for the loss in charging and discharging the battery as DC.
Also set switch.predbat_inverter_hybrid to True or False depending upon if you have a Hybrid or AC-Coupled battery.
The setting input_number.predbat_metric_battery_cycle (expert mode) can be used to put a 'virtual cost' in pence per kWh on using your battery for charging and discharging.
If you configure this number higher then more expensive plans will be selected which avoids charging and discharging your battery as much.
The default is 0.5p (meaning charging and discharging the battery would effectively cost an extra 1p per kWh) but can be set to 0 if you want to turn this feature off.
Below is a guide to some of the electricity tariff options and a set of recommended Predbat settings for each tariff type. In theory most tariffs will work out of the box but still it's worth reviewing your settings.
Fixed daily rates
With a fixed daily rate tariff you will just be predicting the battery levels, no charging or discharging is required although it won't hurt if you leave these options enabled.
You should set select.predbat_mode to 'Monitor'.
Cheap night rate with bad export rate (e.g. Octopus Go, Economy 7 etc)
In this scenario you will want to charge overnight based on the next day's solar forecast and don't want Predbat to force export (discharge) your battery.
Recommended settings - these must be changed in Home Assistant once Predbat is running:
| Item | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| select.predbat_mode | Control Charge | You want Predbat to calculate and control charging |
| input_number.predbat_best_soc_keep | 2.0 | Tweak this to control what battery level you want to keep as a backup in case you use more energy |
If you are using expert mode then these options maybe worth reviewing:
| Item | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| input_number.predbat_forecast_plan_hours | 24 | If you set this to 24 then you will have quicker updates, the cycle repeats itself anyhow |
| input_number.predbat_metric_min_improvement | 0 | Charge less if it's cost neutral |
| input_number.predbat_metric_min_improvement_export | 0.1 | Export only if there is a profit |
You should set select.predbat_mode to 'Control charge'
Cheap night rate, with a good export rate (e.g. Intelligent Octopus with Octopus Outgoing)
Follow the instructions from the Cheap Night rate above, but also you will also want to have automatic export occurring when the export rates are profitable.
| Item | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| select.predbat_mode | Control Charge & Discharge | You want Predbat to calculate and control charging and discharging |
| input_number.predbat_best_soc_keep | 2.0 | Tweak this to control what battery level you want to keep as a backup in case you use more energy |
If you are using expert mode then these options maybe worth reviewing, otherwise ignore this:
| Item | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| input_number.predbat_forecast_plan_hours | 24 | If you set this to 24 then you will have quicker updates, the cycle repeats itself anyhow |
| input_number.predbat_metric_min_improvement | 0 | Charge less if it's cost neutral |
| input_number.predbat_metric_min_improvement_export | 0.1 | Export only if there is a profit |
| input_number.predbat_metric_battery_cycle | 0-2 | Higher numbers mean less charging and discharging but higher costs |
| input_number.predbat_best_soc_min | 0 | Can be set non-zero if you want to force a minimum charge level |
You should set select.predbat_mode to 'Control charge & discharge'
Multiple rates for import and export (e.g. Octopus Flux & Cozy)
Follow the instructions from Cheap Night rate above, but also you will want to have automatic export when the export rates are profitable.
Recommended settings - these must be changed in Home Assistant once Predbat is running:
| Item | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| select.predbat_mode | Control Charge & Discharge | You want Predbat to calculate and control charging and discharging |
| input_number.predbat_best_soc_keep | 0.5 | Use the full battery without going empty |
If you are using expert mode then these options maybe worth reviewing, otherwise ignore this:
| Item | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| input_number.predbat_forecast_plan_hours | 24 | If you set this to 24 then you will have quicker updates, the cycle repeats itself anyhow |
| input_number.predbat_metric_min_improvement | 0 | Charge less if it's cost neutral |
| input_number.predbat_metric_min_improvement_export | 0.1 | Export only if there is a profit |
| input_number.predbat_metric_battery_cycle | 0-2 | Higher numbers mean less charging and discharging but higher costs |
| input_number.predbat_best_soc_min | 0 | Don't use non-zero otherwise all slots will be force charging |
You should set select.predbat_mode to 'Control charge & discharge'
Half hourly variable rates (e.g. Octopus Agile)
Recommended settings - these must be changed in Home Assistant once Predbat is running:
| Item | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| select.predbat_mode | Control Charge & Discharge | You want Predbat to calculate and control charging and discharging |
| input_number.predbat_best_soc_keep | 0.5 | Use the full battery without going empty |
If you are using expert mode then these options maybe worth reviewing, otherwise ignore this:
| Item | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| input_number.predbat_forecast_plan_hours | 24-48 | If you set this to 24 then you will have quicker updates, going to 36/48 for a longer plan |
| input_number.predbat_metric_min_improvement | 0 | Charge less if it's cost neutral |
| input_number.predbat_metric_min_improvement_export | 0.1 | Export only if there is a profit |
| input_number.predbat_metric_battery_cycle | 0-2 | Higher numbers mean less charging and discharging but higher costs |
| input_number.predbat_best_soc_min | 0 | Don't use non-zero otherwise all slots will be force charging |
You should set select.predbat_mode to 'Control charge & discharge'