This BTech451 project is with Vector Limited. The project involves producing a solution to answer a research question that is based on an optimisation challenge that the global solar industry is facing. This research question is based around optimising the use of excess power that is generated by a solar panel system with storage. To help answer this research question, I produce a solution that consists of an intelligent load switching device that can switch a load on in the house to consume solar-generated power when it is in excess, with the goal of providing additional value to the customer. The hardware component of the solution consists of a Raspberry Pi connected to switches that can turn loads inside a house on or off. The software component of the solution involves a Java program running on the Raspberry Pi that is capable of making intelligent decisions based on the current state and recent history of a solar panel system. An HTTPS based API is used to retrieve this state information. The completed solution successfully switches loads on when conditions are right for providing additional value, and helps me to answer the research question.

Goal:
The main goal of this project is to answer the proposed research question, which involves producing a load-switching device to increase the value of the system.