With the Energy Meter Series P and Series C, the inverter manufacturer Kostal Solar Electric offers two energy meters with basic functions. This is the company's response to the large and ever-growing demand for solar systems and the associated power electronics, as well as to delivery problems with the Kostal Smart Energy Meter, which has been used regularly up to now.
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The Energy Meter Series C and Series P each have the same range of functions, even though they differ externally. Kostal introduced the different series designations to make it easier to assign them. The devices have a basic range of functions. In combination with a Plenticore Plus inverter, for example, they can measure all consumption in the house, record all data relating to the photovoltaic system and show it on a built-in display. It can also be used to calculate the self-consumption quota in the Kostal Solar Portal.
The two Energy Meters can also take over the regulation of the solar system, for example to 70 percent of the active power in connection with the Plenticore Plus. However, they are not compatible with the Piko MP Plus. On the other hand, they can also be used when a battery storage system is integrated into the system via a Plenticore Plus. Beyond pure monitoring, the two Energy Meters in this combination also record the data for battery control, storage and the consumption of surplus photovoltaic power.
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The two devices are snapped into a mounting rail in the control cabinet and then connected to the inverter via the integrated RS-485 interface. The device is specified for measurement in grid form with 4-wire connection and three phases. The first of the new Kostal Energy Meters have already been delivered. In the coming weeks, further deliveries are expected to help ease the difficult supply situation for Smart Energy Meters. (su/mfo)
