Use surplus solar panel output

Projects General Guidance
3

Hi Doug,
Thanks for prompt reply.

  1. Yes special drivers were loaded for the USB connection
  2. I wanted the controller to be standalone and simply connected to the Energy Monitor unit. Arduino would accept input from it and then control relays to switch the items on/off
  3. I'm confident its also possible to get a wired RS232 feed from the inverter. However there's no way of getting a measure of house power being used (other than via this energy monitor unit)
    'Assuming' I could decipher the RS232 pulsed signal from the monitor, I would see Arduino comparing the 2 inputs and then, based on there being sufficient surplus, operating a relay to cut in say a heater or pump. The output control side I would imagine to be easy. My main concern (assuming I can decipher the RS232 signal) is that the inputs would be at roughly 10 sec intervals. Can Arduino accept RS232? Can it store inputs and then make decisions based on these stored values?