What is Excess Solar Management?
Excess Solar Management is a standout feature of our home energy platform that automatically adjusts your connected devices based on your real-time solar production and net metering status. This smart technology helps maximize the use of your solar energy by directing excess power to devices like EV chargers instead of sending it back to the grid, making it ideal for customers looking to optimize their energy usage.
Required Hardware
Emporia Energy Monitor: Vue 3, Vue 2 (only 200A CTs on mains required)
At least one Controllable Device:
Emporia EV Charger: On/off control with adjustable charge rates
Emporia Smart Plugs: On/off control
Thermostats: Temperature adjustment
Feature Functionality
The energy monitor tracks your electrical system's power status in real time. When it detects net production (you're generating more solar energy than you're using), the system activates your connected smart devices. Here's how it works:
Continuous Monitoring: Your energy status is tracked in real-time
Excess Production Detection: The system activates when you produce more solar energy than you consume
Smart Device Management: Devices are turned on or adjusted based on available excess power
Consumption Prediction: Historical usage estimates each device's power needs
Dynamic Adjustment: For variable-consumption devices like EV chargers, the system starts at minimum settings and increases as excess power allows
Automatic Balancing: If your consumption exceeds production, the system reduces or turns off devices to maintain optimal energy balance
Configuring Excess Solar Management
Open the Emporia Energy App
Tap the Discover icon at the bottom
Select Excess Solar Management
Select your energy monitor (should show enabled when properly set up)
Configure your controllable devices:
Enable automation for each device (toggle to green)
Configuring Connected Smart Devices
Energy Dashboard: View your daily solar generation totals
Device Automation: Toggle each device to the green (enabled) position
Priority Adjustment: Tap and hold the four-bar icon beside each device, then drag to reposition devices in your priority list
Connected Device Priority System
Managing your device's priority list is essential for optimal energy usage. Here's how the Excess Solar Management feature handles device priority:
Priority Sequence: Devices at the top of your list receive power first when excess solar energy is available
Power-Down Sequence: When solar production decreases, lower-priority devices power down first to protect higher-priority device operation
Smart Capacity Allocation: If a high-priority device needs more power than currently available (for example, only 1kW is available when 2kW is needed), the system intelligently skips to the next compatible device on your list
Dynamic Management: The system continuously evaluates which devices can operate within current energy constraints
Troubleshooting and Support
The Excess Solar Management feature requires proper installation and configuration of your energy monitor and controllable devices (EV chargers, smart plugs, etc.), plus correct app settings. While most setups are straightforward, some fine-tuning may be needed for optimal performance. Our support team is available to help with hardware installation, app configuration, and performance optimization to ensure your system works perfectly.
Feedback and Suggestions
Our knowledge base is continually updated to provide accurate and comprehensive energy management information. If this article doesn't meet your needs or you have improvement suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch with our Customer Support team. We respond promptly to feedback and make updates to enhance our guides. Your input helps us maintain high-quality support resources.