Surplus Energy Diversion Circuit (Unitron Diverter)

The amount of energy produced by Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as solar and wind, varies depending on climate, daylight hours, and other environmental conditions, while electrical loads are often relatively constant. This mismatch can lead to periods of surplus generation, during which excess energy would otherwise be wasted. To address this issue, we developed a surplus energy diversion circuit designed for solar-based residential systems, particularly where each apartment is equipped with an individual unit. The circuit monitors inverter data via the RS232 communication protocol and identifies conditions of excess power generation. When surplus energy is detected, it automatically redirects the excess to a resistive load, such as a water heater. The system continuously adjusts the delivered power based on real-time conditions: when the available surplus decreases, the diverted power is reduced accordingly, and when surplus increases, more energy is allocated to the dump load. This dynamic control ensures that excess generation is effectively utilized instead of being wasted, improving overall system efficiency. read more