Show HN: PVBenchmark – UserBenchmark for PV Systems

Hi HN,

I’d like to share a side project I’ve been working on: https://pvbenchmark.de/.

In Germany, small plug-and-play photovoltaic systems, often referred to as “balcony PV systems,” have become increasingly popular. These systems are designed for easy installation on balconies or rooftops, allowing homeowners and renters to feed a small amount of renewable energy back into the grid while reducing their electricity bills. However, one challenge for many users is assessing whether their system is performing well or if there’s room for optimization.

Inspired by online communities where users share performance data, I built PVBenchmark, a platform to help small PV system owners benchmark their energy production.

Here’s how it works:

Upload: Share a screenshot from your inverter app and input basic system data (ZIP code, peak power, orientation, tilt). Analysis: The tool extracts the data, matches it with local weather and site conditions, and calculates the theoretical potential for your setup. Comparison: See how your daily, monthly, or yearly energy generation stacks up against similar systems from other users.

Right now, the site is in German (sorry!), as it’s primarily targeting German users who own these small systems. If there’s interest, I’d be happy to work on making it more accessible to a broader audience.

I’d love for the HN community to check it out and share any feedback. It’s an early version, and I’m eager to improve it.