Getting Started
Follow this quick 5 step guide to get yourself started. There really is not much more to it than this...
Step 1
Note: If you don't have a PVOutput System, you can skip this step and start at Step 2 with a Sample System.
Find your System ID and API Key on PVOutput.org. Both are towards the bottom of the pvoutput.org Account Settings page:
You can use either:
- API Key: Using the full API Key, you will be able to do things like Join teams, Add Outputs and Register for Notifications. But entering the key into the app is a bit harder. I suggest you browse to the Account Settings page on your device and copy/paste it into the app.
- Read Only Key: A very good option to get yourself started.
Step 2
Launch the app. On first start, you will be prompted for your System ID and Key, or you have the option to initialise the app with a Sample System.
There are two sample systems. One located in the Netherlands and the other in Australia. Choose the one closest to your own timezone. The sample systems are real. I've hidden their identity and cached the data on my website to avoid the PVOutout.org API limits. When your using a sample system, your requests are hitting my website rather than PVOutput.org.
Choose your Sample System, or enter your System ID and Key (API or Read Only). Press OK.
At this point, the App will fetch all historical daily data.
Once complete, you will be presented with an empty Dashboard page.
Step 3
On the Dashboard page, slide out the Navigation Drawer from the left edge. The Navigation Drawer gives you easy access to Systems, Schemes, Feeds and Preferences.
For now, choose the System you just added.
The System page will be shown.
Step 4
The System Page is where you will spend most of your time :)
The basic idea is to swipe the graph horizontally and vertically to change to different graphs.
Graphs are generated only when needed but then cached for re-use.
In the example on the right, you can see it graphing both Instant (green) and Average (red) data. I recommend you turn off one of these but which one is up to you.
To do so, pull out the Navigation Drawer and choose Preferences -> Graphs and and turn off either Plot Average or Plot Instant. Familiarise yourself with the other options while your there.
After changing your preferences, use the back button to return to the System page. The graph will be automatically regenerated (be patient).
Step 5
While on your System page, add some items to your Dashboard,,,
Press the Return to Today button on the action bar. Then choose Menu Add to Dashboard.
Swipe right to left to move to your Daily graph. Again, choose Menu Add to Dashboard.
Swipe right to left again to move to your Monthly graph. Last time... choose Menu Add to Dashboard.
Now press your Back button to return to the Dashboard Page which should look like the example on the right.
Well Done
That's it. Your up and running either with your own System or one of the Sample systems.
Be sure to explore the App and this website to see what else you can do.
Regards,
Mark.