Hello All. I had my 10kW inverter switched out to an 11400 over a month ago by my installer. (no charge) I finally won the argument that it was a better inverter for my 12.96kW system. I've NEVER had monoriting with this inverter. Installer says it's a new model and Solar Edge doesn't have a compatible wifi antenna for it. I'm beginning to think BS. I see the SetApp instructions for installers on youtube posted 11 months ago. I'm seeing other people with the SetApp inverters that appear to have monitoring. (for those not familiar the SetApp inverters have no display on the front)) Can anyone shed some light on this? I"ve opened a support ticket with Solar Edge, done just taking what my installer says, but have not been able to get any help from them either after three days of attempts.
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Hi Alan1296,
Unfortunately, your installer is correct. SolarEdge does not offer Wifi radios for US models to join the Inverter to your existing, home wifi network. I know it's stupid, but unfortunately it is true. SE has offered Wifi in the EU and other regions for several years -- but not in the US market. There is talk that the new, LCD free HD inverters will, one day, finally get an optional Wifi card. But I've not heard of a release date yet.
In the mean time you can:
1) Use Ethernet (free)
2) Use an Ethernet to Wifi, Powerline, or MOCA bridge ($20-$100)
3) Purchase (from your installer) a Cellular or Zigbee monitoring card ($400-600)
Of these option 1 is definitely the best choice if you can just drill a hole in your wall or leverage an existing hole / conduit.
I've been using option #2 myself for two years (after having already bought option 3 (cellular) with my system originally)
But, by all means call SE and complain. Hopefully if enough customers in the USA call, they will eventually get the message one of these years.
-Jonathan -
Originally posted by JSchnee21 View PostHi Alan1296,
Unfortunately, your installer is correct. SolarEdge does not offer Wifi radios for US models to join the Inverter to your existing, home wifi network. I know it's stupid, but unfortunately it is true. SE has offered Wifi in the EU and other regions for several years -- but not in the US market. There is talk that the new, LCD free HD inverters will, one day, finally get an optional Wifi card. But I've not heard of a release date yet.
In the mean time you can:
1) Use Ethernet (free)
2) Use an Ethernet to Wifi, Powerline, or MOCA bridge ($20-$100)
3) Purchase (from your installer) a Cellular or Zigbee monitoring card ($400-600)
Of these option 1 is definitely the best choice if you can just drill a hole in your wall or leverage an existing hole / conduit.
I've been using option #2 myself for two years (after having already bought option 3 (cellular) with my system originally)
But, by all means call SE and complain. Hopefully if enough customers in the USA call, they will eventually get the message one of these years.
-JonathanComment
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Hi Alan1296,
Oops, I missed you're first post. How long did you have your original 10kW inverter? Was it an A-Series or an HD series? You've been having issues with the new inverter -- aside from monitoring issues?
I still would not recommend a new Cellular card. It should work (and needs to be a current GSM -- Tmobile -- model), but the data upload frequency and granularity is much better with Ethernet. Real time uploads, 15min increments, real time generation displayed in the app. An ethernet cable (get Cat6 or 6a) can be up to 100 meters (300+ feet) so even if you temporarily run it through a door or window it can aid in troubleshooting. It uses DHCP so in most cases you just have to plug it in.
While you are at it, I would recommend the new Solar Edge consumption monitoring add on. I find it really helpful to see (and log) power consumption data in addition to production.
Which panels and optimizers do you have?
-JonathanLast edited by JSchnee21; 05-17-2019, 09:36 AM.Comment
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Originally posted by JSchnee21 View PostHi Alan1296,
Oops, I missed you're first post. How long did you have your original 10kW inverter? Was it an A-Series or an HD series? You've been having issues with the new inverter -- aside from monitoring issues?
I still would not recommend a new Cellular card. It should work (and needs to be a current GSM -- Tmobile -- model), but the data upload frequency and granularity is much better with Ethernet. Real time uploads, 15min increments, real time generation displayed in the app. An ethernet cable (get Cat6 or 6a) can be up to 100 meters (300+ feet) so even if you temporarily run it through a door or window it can aid in troubleshooting. It uses DHCP so in most cases you just have to plug it in.
While you are at it, I would recommend the new Solar Edge consumption monitoring add on. I find it really helpful to see (and log) power consumption data in addition to production.
Which panels and optimizers do you have?
-Jonathan
JA Solar 360 watt panels. SE P400-5NC4ARM optimizers.
Thanks!Comment
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Gotcha, and your inverter is located at the array? Versus running the HV DC to your house an mounting the inverter there? The consumption monitoring is a CT measurement system is installed in your main panel. A small box digitizes the signals which then communicates with the Inverter I believe through LV RG485 -- I'm not sure how far this signal could be propagated.
This is the device
https://www.altestore.com/store/inve...caAtDqEALw_wcB
I assume your ground mount is facing South at an appropriate inclination for your latitude? With no trees? You could have just used a regular string inverter if you weren't going to use monitoring. Yes, I imaging you're probably clipping quite a bit with a ~13kW system on a 10kW inverter.
Depending on the length of your run from the array to the house, and the gauge of wire, you may be seeing a significant voltage drop (at the house) and/or inverter local AC voltage increase (and potential shutdown) if there's too much resistance to current flow from the inverter to the house. It's usually recommended to run the higher voltage DC for the home run instead.
A couple folks here use Ethernet to long range Wifi for their ground mounts.
https://www.simplewifi.com/
But, I agree, Cellular may be your best long term, set it and forget it option. You won't get the fastest or most detailed updates, but once it's up and running you'll never have to touch it.
For troubleshooting, you could just lay an Ethernet wire on the ground (up to 300-350 feet). You could double that if you put a small L2 switch in the middle (but you'll need AC to power it). Or use a Cellular Hotspot with Ethernet like Netgear Nighthawk M1 MR1100.
You could also try Ethernet over PowerLine -- something like this. Not sure of the range.
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Power...s%2C181&sr=8-5
What inverter performance related issues are you seeing? How are you currently measuring PV production? From your PoCo electric bill? My array is 12.2kW. I'm making about 11 to 12 MWh per year here in NJ. But, I have shading, inclination, and other issues. You should be up around ~15-20 MWh per year under optimal conditions. Of course production varies wildly from day to day, month to month, and depends on your local microenvironment, clouds, smog, etc.
You can lookup and compare similar systems in your area here
https://pvoutput.org
Best,
JonathanComment
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Originally posted by JSchnee21 View PostGotcha, and your inverter is located at the array? Versus running the HV DC to your house an mounting the inverter there? The consumption monitoring is a CT measurement system is installed in your main panel. A small box digitizes the signals which then communicates with the Inverter I believe through LV RG485 -- I'm not sure how far this signal could be propagated.
This is the device
https://www.altestore.com/store/inve...caAtDqEALw_wcB
I assume your ground mount is facing South at an appropriate inclination for your latitude? With no trees? You could have just used a regular string inverter if you weren't going to use monitoring. Yes, I imaging you're probably clipping quite a bit with a ~13kW system on a 10kW inverter.
Depending on the length of your run from the array to the house, and the gauge of wire, you may be seeing a significant voltage drop (at the house) and/or inverter local AC voltage increase (and potential shutdown) if there's too much resistance to current flow from the inverter to the house. It's usually recommended to run the higher voltage DC for the home run instead.
A couple folks here use Ethernet to long range Wifi for their ground mounts.
https://www.simplewifi.com/
But, I agree, Cellular may be your best long term, set it and forget it option. You won't get the fastest or most detailed updates, but once it's up and running you'll never have to touch it.
For troubleshooting, you could just lay an Ethernet wire on the ground (up to 300-350 feet). You could double that if you put a small L2 switch in the middle (but you'll need AC to power it). Or use a Cellular Hotspot with Ethernet like Netgear Nighthawk M1 MR1100.
You could also try Ethernet over PowerLine -- something like this. Not sure of the range.
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Power...s%2C181&sr=8-5
What inverter performance related issues are you seeing? How are you currently measuring PV production? From your PoCo electric bill? My array is 12.2kW. I'm making about 11 to 12 MWh per year here in NJ. But, I have shading, inclination, and other issues. You should be up around ~15-20 MWh per year under optimal conditions. Of course production varies wildly from day to day, month to month, and depends on your local microenvironment, clouds, smog, etc.
You can lookup and compare similar systems in your area here
https://pvoutput.org
Best,
Jonathan
Alan
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