# \[APP\]\[Pro\] Solar Forecasts (SolCast + Forecast.Solar) **URL:** \ **Category:** Apps\ **Created:** [April 29, 2021, 7:25am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842 "2021-04-29T07:25:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Pieterv123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/pieterv123/32/13353_2.png) [@Pieterv123](https://community.homey.app/u/Pieterv123)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 10:52am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/283 "2025-05-30T10:52:25Z")
Solcast is more reliable. You have to set up flows for updates based on the amount of api calls you have. If you have 10, you could do every 2 hours. If you have 50, every 30min between sunrise and sunset ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bruyn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bruyn/32/132683_2.png) [@Johan\_Bruyn](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bruyn)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 10:27am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/284 "2025-07-08T10:27:34Z")
After a while of testing I also went for Solcast. But still a question. When I look at the Solcast site I get a nice curve of the forecast. And when you download the CSV you get a neat weather forecast every half hour. ![Scherm­afbeelding 2025-07-08 om 12.08.31](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/e/3/e3268cb37b8361954dad579cb0adb594b5dc23f8.png) Is it possible to download this curve/data with Homey? And then follow this data? You don’t have to make that many API calls. And you can also determine from, and until what time you can expect production from the PV. This is useful when controlling battery systems. (when to charge) In addition, for some extra eye candy on the dashboard a graph of the forecast would be nice. For example like the Power by the hour app. But then every half hour. ---
**Author:** ![Pieterv123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/pieterv123/32/13353_2.png) [@Pieterv123](https://community.homey.app/u/Pieterv123)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 10:55am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/285 "2025-07-08T10:55:30Z")
Technically possible as the homey app stores this csv and updates the values based on the last available data. But to make this graph, I have no idea how to make it. Maybe after summer or in the winter I could have a look at it. But honestly makes no sense, as you can find the graph on the solcast website ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bruyn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bruyn/32/132683_2.png) [@Johan\_Bruyn](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bruyn)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/286 "2025-07-08T15:56:19Z")
So I just discovered that the data is updated every half hour if the on/off button is on. At first, I only get updates on an API call. So that works. And is it sufficient to make an API call at midnight, 6:00, 12:00, & 18:00. Which keeps the number of calls neatly below 10 with two PV installations. I would like to see the graph on my Honey Dashboard so that I have everything clearly arranged in one place. That’s kind of the idea of the Homey. Maybe @Gruijter developer of the Power by the hour app can help you with the graph. 😁 Another addition I would like to have is the start and end time of PV production. This helps in my calculation. Now I use sunrise and sunset. But that’s not the same for a PV, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/287 "2025-07-08T17:55:00Z")
> [@Johan\_Bruyn](#): > > graph U can “_graphify_” any insights value with the [Insights Graphs app](https://community.homey.app/t/86856) Load the graph to a virtual cam, and you can show it on your dashboard. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bruyn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bruyn/32/132683_2.png) [@Johan\_Bruyn](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bruyn)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/288 "2025-07-08T18:22:05Z")
Nice, but insights are just the past, right? I would like to see the forecast ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/289 "2025-07-08T21:07:57Z")
Good point. Well, I was thinking like this : tomorrow’s solar forecast data should already be present in Homey, just like the electricity prices for tomorrow in PbtH are. But such a bummer, those prices aren’t visible in insights 😅. But it’s very well possible to store forecast data in insights, like 09:00 \> tomorrow’s 09:00 forecast value 10:00 \> tomorrow’s 10:00 forecast value and so on Makes any sense? ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bruyn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bruyn/32/132683_2.png) [@Johan\_Bruyn](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bruyn)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 10:29pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/290 "2025-07-08T22:29:23Z")
If the prediction data can be converted into insights in advance, is that perfectly fine with me. Even better. Insights graphs are standard in Homey. Something like this, but for the next 48H (if I look in the CSV) ![IMG_3865](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/3/c/3c5f5b23e10c88ba3841b68a2c5ed80088fdcfd0.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/291 "2025-07-08T22:34:22Z")
Ah yes, I forgot about the progress made in Dashboard section 🫣😆 ---
**Author:** ![Pieterv123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/pieterv123/32/13353_2.png) [@Pieterv123](https://community.homey.app/u/Pieterv123)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/292 "2025-07-08T23:02:00Z")
You cannot use the insights, as the data is changing all time. Insights only store data once. I could have a look a the code of pbth, but it will not be for the first weeks/months ---
**Author:** ![Pieterv123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/pieterv123/32/13353_2.png) [@Pieterv123](https://community.homey.app/u/Pieterv123)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/293 "2025-07-08T23:13:22Z")
To get the begin and stop time is also hard, because you need a treshold. A half hour after sunrise Solcast will maybe already forecast 0.1kWh. You maybe want the time when it is more then x kWh. But this value is different for everyone. Homey is (unlike Home Assistant), not programmed for future data. So devs use all kind of tricks (virtual cameras) to fix this. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bruyn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bruyn/32/132683_2.png) [@Johan\_Bruyn](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bruyn)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/294 "2025-07-08T23:18:55Z")
As I said, it’s eye candy. So no hurry, just a wish. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bruyn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bruyn/32/132683_2.png) [@Johan\_Bruyn](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bruyn)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/295 "2025-07-08T23:25:31Z")
Okay, good to know. I’m used to Beckhoff as a mechanic. Our developer can make most of the nonsense we can think of. So as you said, come up with creative solutions. I have something to do. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Pieterv123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/pieterv123/32/13353_2.png) [@Pieterv123](https://community.homey.app/u/Pieterv123)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2025, 12:00am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/296 "2025-07-09T00:00:41Z")
And also when making graphs there will be a lot of users demands: - combine graphs for east-west setups - limit production for clipping (oversized) installations - … Challenging 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bruyn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bruyn/32/132683_2.png) [@Johan\_Bruyn](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bruyn)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2025, 9:18am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/297 "2025-07-09T09:18:01Z")
The only thing of interest is the data Solcast provides plotted as a graph. If Solcast provides two tables for two installations, that means two graphs. We do have to acknowledge Homey’s limitations, after all. I believe clipping for an oversized installation is already factored into the Solcast data because you specify the capacity of the inverter and panels. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bruyn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bruyn/32/132683_2.png) [@Johan\_Bruyn](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bruyn)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/298 "2025-08-09T13:44:43Z")
I have a new request. In connection with charging a home battery, I would like to know how much energy is expected in a certain period of time. So that in the morning it can be determined whether there is enough energy in the afternoon to charge the battery. I would like to have an AND card for this. Prediction between [time] and [time] is greater than [value] kWh. Also see my flow to see what I’m trying to organise. > [@Uitgesteld & geforceerd laden Homewizzard batterij](https://community.homey.app/t/uitgesteld-geforceerd-laden-homewizzard-batterij/139216): > > De Homewizzard batterij, hartstikke leuk ding werkt prima uit de doos. Stekker er in en gaan! Zodra je zonnepanelen meer energie produceren dan je in huis verbruik gaat de batterij laden. Precies de bedoeling, maar met een dynamisch contract is het een beetje jammer dat je in de uren dat je nog een vergoeding krijgt voor je energie deze energie direct je batterij in gaat. En dat als de batterij vol is de vergoeding bijna niks is. Of nog erger dat je moet betalen om van je energie af te komen. O… ---
**Author:** ![Pieterv123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/pieterv123/32/13353_2.png) [@Pieterv123](https://community.homey.app/u/Pieterv123)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/299 "2025-08-09T14:41:04Z")
iyou want this, you will need some logic. I can make all the hours available, but that means 24 sensors extra. Then you still need to make some calculations. Or I can make the raw data (json) available and advanced users can make their own logic with honeyscript You will no need the hourly data, but the cumulative data, such as the next hours sensors. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bruyn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bruyn/32/132683_2.png) [@Johan\_Bruyn](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bruyn)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 8:54am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/300 "2025-08-10T08:54:40Z")
I don’t need 24 sensors. What I’d like is a card like the one below. But then for the expected kilowatt-hours between, say, 12:00 and 17:00. For those 5 hours, simply add the half-hourly values and you’re done. If the total is greater than the requested value, the card is true; if the value is less, the card is false. So, like the forecast for the next 3 hours, but between two set times, and as a AND card. ![Scherm­afbeelding 2025-08-10 om 10.25.10](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/d/5/d5547d74440932a2b4ab6aa004e1f431cdb7cfb7.png) ---
**Author:** ![Pieterv123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/pieterv123/32/13353_2.png) [@Pieterv123](https://community.homey.app/u/Pieterv123)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 9:15am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/301 "2025-08-10T09:15:26Z")
I have no idea on how to program that, so feel free to provide me with some code and I can implement that. ---
**Author:** ![RonnyW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ronnyw/32/10879_2.png) [@RonnyW](https://community.homey.app/u/RonnyW)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 9:45am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842/302 "2025-08-10T09:45:41Z")
It’s just a flow argument of type “time". But yes, then you have to filter the solar data by this time arguments. > **[Arguments | Homey Apps SDK](https://apps.developer.homey.app/the-basics/flow/arguments)** > > Flow arguments allow Flow cards to ask for user input. [Previous page](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842.md?page=14) [Next page](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-solar-forecasts-solcast-forecast-solar/46842.md?page=16)