Installer forcing SolarEdge cellular connection on me

[MaxSmart]

I have been reading more, and it sounds like the "new models" = ones with no display, and that only these have the built-in wifi for the SetApp phone app, but that this won't work as a client (connect to your router versus act as a hotspot for the purpose of connecting your phone to it) at this time, but that this may change in October when the firmware updates.

So, if this is correct (please correct me if not), sounds like those with a display (models with 4 buttons, models with the one big button) are stuck either:
1. wiring ethernet,
2. buying a $350 zigbee kit, or
3. install an ethernet-wifi bridge.

For #3, if your inverter is outdoors, if needs to be installed inside the casing, and powering it becomes the question. Per the above suggestion to use USB power, do all models have a powered USB port inside? I have the one-big-button model.

[nwdiver]

That is good to hear. Kinda surprised they were so far behind on this stuff.

Like was said, I think my installer put it in so they wouldn't have to deal with the extra cabling and possible support..They then would have to deal with issues that may arise from someone changing a router, lack of internet or the inverter losing connection for some reason.

To be clear the wifi included with SE inverters does not work for monitoring... yet. Supposedly there will be a firmware update in October. We had to buy a wifi-ethernet bridge to get it connected.

[DrLumen]

Correct. All the new inverters have Wi-Fi built in.

That is good to hear. Kinda surprised they were so far behind on this stuff.

Like was said, I think my installer put it in so they wouldn't have to deal with the extra cabling and possible support..They then would have to deal with issues that may arise from someone changing a router, lack of internet or the inverter losing connection for some reason.

[nwdiver]

Which bridge - did you install it internally, or external with an ethernet connection? (I can't find the ethernet port) Is this an indoor or outdoor setup? Thanks.

Pretty sure it was this one.

The inverter is outside. Didn't use an antenna. The bridge is USB powered so we just plugged it into the USB port for power so everything it tucked into the inverter housing.

[MaxSmart]

I recently installed a setapp inverter. Really frustrating. It should be able to connect to the wifi network without any additional hardware but SE told me it needs a firmware update that's not expected until October so we installed a $50 wifi bridge from amazon. Works fine.

Which bridge - did you install it internally, or external with an ethernet connection? (I can't find the ethernet port) Is this an indoor or outdoor setup? Thanks.

[nwdiver]

I too thought I saw a bunch of documents or videos saying that if you have a SetApp model, that you just need an antenna (not a wifi card) to give yourself wifi capabilities.

From what I can tell it looks like the card in question is a generic, off-the-shelf wifi module - an Xbee X6B - has anybody bought (~$25) and tried installing one?

I recently installed a setapp inverter. Really frustrating. It should be able to connect to the wifi network without any additional hardware but SE told me it needs a firmware update that's not expected until October so we installed a $50 wifi bridge from amazon. Works fine.

[MaxSmart]

Interesting, I joined one of the sales webcasts and they said that they could be used to join home Wi-Fi networks. I guess that's the difference between a sales person and a technical person...

I too thought I saw a bunch of documents or videos saying that if you have a SetApp model, that you just need an antenna (not a wifi card) to give yourself wifi capabilities.

From what I can tell it looks like the card in question is a generic, off-the-shelf wifi module - an Xbee X6B - has anybody bought (~$25) and tried installing one?

[DrLumen]

Here is one I have on my short list. While not the typical consumption meter, you can get roughly the same info for overall consumption but a lot more granular for everything else.

https://www.brultech.com/store/index.php?id_product=142&controller=product

[ButchDeal]

Don't you need full installer access to your site on the monitoring portal?

I asked my installer for it on our system. They came out and installed part of it (an additional enclosure on the side of the house) - said that there was some part they needed (cts?) which they do not yet have, and we are waiting. Now we are back in peak season, and I imagine they are busy again. I haven't paid them for it as of yet, so it doesn't bug me that much..

you should have full owner access
I am pretty sure if you add the consumption monitor it will just start showing up on an already set up monitoring site, but if not you can call support.

[ericy]

Yes it can be added and there is configuration on the inverter that you can do. I believe others have posted here about adding on the meter.

Don't you need full installer access to your site on the monitoring portal?

I asked my installer for it on our system. They came out and installed part of it (an additional enclosure on the side of the house) - said that there was some part they needed (cts?) which they do not yet have, and we are waiting. Now we are back in peak season, and I imagine they are busy again. I haven't paid them for it as of yet, so it doesn't bug me that much..

[ButchDeal]

Can it be a DIY install later on if I buy the kit? Or is there some configuration on the inverter and/or within the SolarEdage account profile that only the installer can do? Thanks.

Yes it can be added and there is configuration on the inverter that you can do. I believe others have posted here about adding on the meter.

[sunpoweredev]

The inverter has no way of knowing consumption without the optional consumption meter

Can it be a DIY install later on if I buy the kit? Or is there some configuration on the inverter and/or within the SolarEdage account profile that only the installer can do? Thanks.

[ButchDeal]

This consumption readout, is it standard on the inverter monitoring, or is it because you have the optional consumption meter?

I would love to have this capability!

The inverter has no way of knowing consumption without the optional consumption meter

[sunpoweredev]

I can easily see the impact "in real time" as I turn on/of the air conditioner, microwave, or bathroom heater.

This consumption readout, is it standard on the inverter monitoring, or is it because you have the optional consumption meter?

I would love to have this capability!

[JSchnee21]

Correct. On my A-series, I had to disable the cellular card (in software) and enable the Ethernet. Then I just plugged in a cable and used DHCP. Works great. I do use a 3rd party Ethernet to wireless bridge (to connect to my home's wifi). This bridge does require AC as DrLumen points out.

Data is 5min intervals, uploaded every 15min or so (via Ethernet). Much better than 15min intervals uploaded every 4 hours or so. But, at least when using the iOS mobile app, when I connect to the SE monitoring web portal, I do in fact get near real time production and consumption data in the App. There is a few second delay, but I can easily see the impact "in real time" as I turn on/of the air conditioner, microwave, or bathroom heater.

But this is only seen across the top bar. The data in the graphs is still delayed by ~15-30min.