While in many cases you are still able to view your system production on the inverter itself via the LCD screen, In recent times, many manufacturers have transition towards screenless inverters, eliminating potential component failure but sometimes causing frustration during the setup phase. Despite this, the advantages of real-time monitoring of solar systems via smartphones or computers are considerable:
- Instant access to system performance data, including panel-level monitoring, consumption, grid feed-in, grid imports, and battery performance.
- Capability to review historical performance over adjustable time periods.
- Reporting functionality for system performance.
- Ability to receive notifications for suboptimal system performance or errors.
- Provision of data to aid in optimizing energy utilization, such as timing loads to coincide with high grid voltage or adjusting consumption to avoid drawing from the grid.
- Assurance of system safety.
Set Up Requirements:
As always with technology, there are certain requirements we need to meet with our home networks to ensure the latest piece of hardware can integrate and connect to our network, a Solar Inverter is no different. These are the key requirements you will need at home to be able to connect your Inverter to the internet and monitor your system:
- A robust WiFi connection at the inverter's location.
- A WiFi network operating at 2.4 GHz.
- A WiFi-enabled inverter or a supplementary device enabling WiFi connectivity.
Hot-spotting the inverter's connection to the internet is discouraged as it only uploads data while connected, rather than providing ongoing, up-to-date reports. If WiFi connectivity is unattainable for your inverter, a wired LAN connection may still be viable.
Monitoring Failures:
Failures or disconnections can stem from various reasons, prompting customers to seek assistance in connecting their inverters to monitoring platforms, such as:
- Change in internet service provider.
- Transition to the NBN network.
- Difficulty in maintaining WiFi connection, which can often be resolved by using a WiFi extender to ensure a strong connection.
- External interference.
How to Reconnect:
In the event of monitoring failure, we understand the frustration and offer our assistance:
- Check our troubleshooting articles for specific assistance. Poor WiFi Signal & Band steering.
- Follow the instructions provided by your inverter brand GE, Huawei, Sungrow, GoodWe.
- Refer to instructional videos from manufacturers to aid in the connection process.
- GoodWe Youtube
- Huawei Youtube
- GE Youtube
- If you are unable to establish WiFi connectivity, you may need a technician's assistance. Please note that monitoring is the customer's responsibility and is excluded under warranty. Therefore, if onsite assistance is required, there is a service charge of $165, with service provided during our next visit to your local area.
Alternatively, there are options beyond WiFi connection:
- Hardwiring the inverter via a CAT 5 cable ensures a guaranteed connection, albeit potentially incurring additional costs depending on the modem's location relative to the inverter.
- Inline power adapters utilize existing wiring, typically plugging into a general power outlet (GPO) to create a stable high-speed network between the modem and inverter. This option also incurs additional component costs.