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 and forecasting
To achieve the best possible control of your home battery, Spotpilot continuously collects measurement data from your inverter. Spot prices are loaded as soon as they become available, around 1:30 PM each day.
Based on electricity prices and measurement data, Spotpilot generates forecasts for the expected production from your solar panels as well as your household’s anticipated electricity consumption. To achieve the highest possible forecasting accuracy, AI / machine learning is used, based on patterns in the collected data.
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.