Power Export Limit (PEL) API Behavior

[jurrid]

I was recently in contact with my installer regarding the Power Export Limit (PEL) functionality. They initially informed me that it was not possible to toggle the limiter on or off manually. However, they were able to enable it for me.

For context; I only have a HomeOwnerAccount, not an InstallerAccount.

Due to an error by applying the settings, my installer accidentally sent me a technical screenshot with a API call, which led me to investigate further. After experimenting with the API, I successfully turned off the PEL settings myself using the following API call:

curl --request POST \
  --url https://x.x.x.x/ivp/ss/dpel \
  --header 'Accept: application/json' \
  --header 'Authorization: Bearer **TOKEN**' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
	"dynamic_pel_settings": {
		"enable": false
	}
}'

However, when attempting to re-enable the PEL using the following API request, I encountered an error:

curl --request POST \
  --url https://x.x.x.x/ivp/ss/dpel \
  --header 'Accept: application/json' \
  --header 'Authorization: Bearer **TOKEN**' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
	"dynamic_pel_settings": {
		"enable": true,
		"export_limit": 100
	}
}'

Additional Findings
The installer initially said toggling PEL was impossible, but after confirming with them, they acknowledged that I had successfully turned it off. They escalated my case to Dutch Enphase Customer Support, who mentioned that this behavior is an ”unintended flaw” in Envoy v8 but claimed it is “not normal behavior.” to toggle this with an api.

It might be worth further investigation this undocumented API behavior.

[fobrs]

I use the same commands to toggle PEL, and those work ok.

Specify power after limit_value_W

I use as json:

{
"dynamic_pel_settings": {
"enable": true,
"export_limit": false,
"limit_value_W": 3500.0,
"slew_rate": 900.0,
"enable_dynamic_limiting": false
},
"filename": "site_settings",
"version": "00.00.01"
}

[UseN1bble]

I don't get it to work.
I recieve a 200 message, but hen checking with: https://x.x.x.x/ivp/ss/dpel, I still get the status false;

I use the following JSON to set the Zero Export active:

{
"dynamic_pel_settings": {
"enable": true,
"export_limit": true,
"limit_value_W": 0,
"slew_rate": 50,
"enable_dynamic_limiting": false
},
"filename": "site_settings",
"version": "00.00.01"
}

This is the same as when I set this through the portal, and I read the value with: https://x.x.x.x/ivp/ss/dpe

[fobrs]

Did you use your token? What is the firmware version of your envoy (you need 8.x.y.z)

[fobrs]

I use:
curl -k -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Authorization: Bearer **TOKEN**" -X POST "https://192.168.1.XXX/ivp/ss/dpel" --data @json.txt

with json.txt:

{
    "dynamic_pel_settings": {
        "enable": true,  
        "export_limit": true,  
        "limit_value_W": 250.0,  
        "slew_rate": 50.0,  
        "enable_dynamic_limiting": false. 
    },  
    "filename": "site_settings",  
    "version": "00.00.01". 
}

[UseN1bble]

Okay, I made a stupid mistake, and did a GET instead of POST.
Unfortunatly I get the same problem as with stopping production.

I get a 401 Authorization Required message.
Both with my Home as with my Installer Account.

My installer (who is bankrupt) seems to have done something with my installation, that even Enphase can't solve as it seems.

Really frustrating to not be able to limit production while it should work and has worked!

My current version is: D8.3.5167 (5c3a00)

[jurrid]

In my case, the installer had to activate a certain "feature", and after that, I was able to toggle it. Maybe that feature is still disabled in your setup, but that’s a wild guess.

[fobrs]

Do you have a Metered envoy with CT's installer?

[UseN1bble]

Yes, technically there shouldn't be a problem. It's a rights issue.

With my installer account, through the Enlighten portal, I can turn off production and set export limits. Both don't work, but after the update to version 7, I was able to turn off production through the local API. After 4 weeks or so, it didn't work anymore. It's really frustrating and apparently, Enphase can't fix it either. After 6 months, I gave up.

[fobrs]

I can use the local api /ivp/ss/dpel with a normal user acount token. With GET and with POST.

[UseN1bble]

The GET request is functioning correctly; however, the POST request is resulting in a 401 Unauthorized error.
I may attempt to contact Enphase or an installer again. They might be able to reset the installation.
Theoretically, I should be able to perform this action myself with the DIY account, but I am concerned about encountering difficulties. This issue is becoming more and more a matter of principle.

[fobrs]

Yes, I understand. That's why I recently have got a metered envoy installed. Now I have full control over production and export.
Today I have set the export limit to 250 W and slew rate to 100 W/s. Also using a Homewizard Plugin Battery.
This works great:
The thin blue line is solar forecast from solcast.com

[UseN1bble]

That looks great! I hope to get my Home Wizard in September.

[lawther]

I have an Envoy-S-Metered, with production and consumption CT clamps, and firmware 8.2.4398. I have an installer account, and I tried using /ivp/ss/dpel, but while the data appears to be accepted and set, power production does not change.

If I am not logged in, even the GET returns a 401. Once logged in, I do a GET on /ivp/ss/dpel, it shows dpel as disabled.

Then I try to set dpel:

curl --insecure --request POST --header 'Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN' --url 'https://x.x.x.x/ivp/ss/dpel' --header 'Accept: application/json' --header 'Content-Type: application/json' --data @dpel.json

where dpel.json is

{
    "dynamic_pel_settings": {
        "enable": true,
        "export_limit": false,
        "limit_value_W": 3500.0,
        "slew_rate": 100.0,
        "enable_dynamic_limiting": false
    },
    "filename": "site_settings",
    "version": "00.00.01"
}

The return of this is the same as the data that was uploaded.

When I now do a GET on /ivp/ss/dpel, it shows the data I uploaded. I expect this would now limit production, but my PV kept producing at a rate higher than 3.5kW.

In Enlighten, I can see the 'Power Production Limiting by Gateway', but I can't make this work reliably. Someone above mentioned a feature that may need to be enabled for /ivp/ss/dpel to work. Any further clues on what this might be?

[jurrid]

I noticed a similar situation and came across a forum post where someone managed to achieve production limiting using the following payload. According to their report, this successfully capped production at 100 W:

{
  "dynamic_pel_settings": {
    "enable": true,
    "export_limit": true,
    "limit_value_W": 100.0,
    "slew_rate": 50.0,
    "enable_dynamic_limiting": false
  },
  "filename": "site_settings",
  "version": "00.00.01"
}

It might be worth testing whether setting "export_limit": true (instead of false) makes a difference.
In their case, it seemed to be the key to activating the power export limitation, even though /ivp/ss/dpel otherwise accepted the same structure without enforcing the cap.

[lawther]

Thanks - I've tried both true and false, but neither work reliably. I figured the one to limit production should be more straightforward. In practice, it simply sets a global production limit per micro of limit_rate_W / number of micros.

I've noticed when using Enlighten UI with the 'Power Export Limiting by Gateway' function that it sets this data structure observable through ivp/ss/dpel. It seems that 'export_limit' is related to the 'Production' or 'Export' radio buttons. One is supposed to set a limit on production ('export_limit':false) and one is supposed to set a limit on export ('export_limit':true) - that is, dynamically modify production based on the load.

I've also been using a non-zero value for limit_value_W, as that way I can recognise if that limit is being used.

The export limiting option I've never been able to make work - it's demonstrated here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWwGFRtGkpg&t=80s