AGL

I operate a privately installed 5kW solar hybrid grid connected system with a 10kWh Li+ ion battery storage. This system operates as a backup power supply when the grid goes down which happens frequently in my remote outback location during electrical storms with frequent ‘auto network resets’ on this remote area distribution grid using S.W.E.R. The only limitation with this hybrid set-up being a self imposed current limit on ‘emergency backup circuit’ of approx. 15 amps during total power outages and the 40% of battery storage is reserved for such events. I have found the AGL Ap to be more than suitabke to monitor my solar systems performance, power usage (daily and hourly), and monitoring my account. I also have my mother’s electricity usage and bills interstate account at a second address synchronised for perusal & monitoring simultaneously on my AGL Ap. This is wonderful. Well done AGL and thanks for listening to txts n blogs regarding solar customers data needs without charging for the additional data service from the national digital meter feeds - as previously. I can get a read of my solar performance hr by hr, day by day from anywhere in the world with internet connectivity with only minimal delay. Data is logged to the Ap within 24-48 hrs of it being network logged, this is standard feed delay for the digital meter telemetry by WAN, and processing feed I believe. Fabulous to have this Ap. My only complaint is the 48 -72 hr delay in data updating to the Ap from the National Metering Service. This is probably consistent across the industry sector and not an AGL issue.

If you’re on month to month billing with AGL beware. Your most recent billing amount on the app will look considerably different to your latest physical bill. For some reason AGL adds your previous months bill to your current months bill (which is still accumulating) as a total outstanding balance. The part that confuses the hell out of you is the date period shown only reflects the previous billing cycle. For e.g. a bill from 2 Mar - 1 Apr for $100 will show on the app as $100 “PLUS” whatever your current usage is since the 1 Apr. For examples sake let’s say you’ve used $80. Remember a bill hasn’t been generated for that period yet because the cycle isn’t complete. What you’ll see on the app is an amount owing for the 2 Mar - 1 Apr for $180. The stupid part is that $80 has nothing to do with 2 Mar - 1 Apr and wasn’t used during that time period. It shouldn’t be showing that it has. I’ve spoken to AGL about it and they can’t change the subject quick enough. Good news is you won’t be charged the whole amount. Only what you actually owe for 2 Mar - 1 Apr as reflected on your physical bill. Bad news is you might spend 3/4 hr on the phone in order to find that out.

Great app to check on what’s using excess power in your house. I noticed my bill shooting up only to notice it was early hours of morning (hot water service on way out) so have since switched to natural gas. Everything else we have is pretty efficient except for aircon and seeing how much it costs makes me way up whether it should be turned on or just wait for the change. App can be delayed but at most about 3 days, which isn’t very often (usually 1-2 days) Only down side I have is the half hourly view, which I find harder to track. Too much info leads to too much confusion. Try keeping it just hourly, keep it simple.