Monitoring Solectria Inverters

Inverter Prerequisites

Solectria inverters come standard with the communications features necessary to integrate with WattMetrics.

Supported Models

WattMetrics is compatible with the models listed below. If your inverter model isn't listed below, that doesn't necessarily mean that it won't work with WattMetrics. Please contact us if you don't see your inverter here.

PVI

1800, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000, 5300, 6500, 7500, 10kW, 13kW, 15kW, 60kW, 82kW, 95kW

Connecting to a WattMetrics Agent 

PVI 1800 - 7500

1.  If there are multiple inverters:

  • Using shielded CAT5/6 cable, connect the inverters to each other in series, using the RS485 ports, according to the manufacturer's manual.

  • Make sure a unique ID number has been assigned to each inverter, according to the manufacturer's manual (for 1800-5300 use the display panel, for 6500-7500 use the internal S201 dip switch).

  • PVI 3000- 7500: turn on the termination switch over the unused port on the last inverter in the series.

2.  Using the control panel on each inverter to be monitored:

  • Follow the manufaturer's manual to make sure that the baud rate is set at 19200.

3.  With a WattMetrics Residential agent:

  • Connect the USB end of the cable provided by WattMetrics to one of the USB ports on the agent.

  • Connect the RJ45 end of the WattMetrics cable to the first inverter in the series. 

4.  Finish installing the agent as outlined in the "installing agents" section of this manual. 

 

PVI 10kW-95kW 

1.  Using the control panel on each inverter to be monitored:

  • Follow the manufaturer's manual to make sure that the baud rate to 19200.

2.  Remove the cover from the display panel.

  • On every inverter in the series (or the single inverter if there is only one), carefully remove the cover from the back of the inverter display panel (SolrenView). After removing the nuts, pull the top first and let the cover hinge on the bottom to avoid damaging the Ethernet connector.

3.  If there are multiple inverters:

  • Using shielded CAT5/6 cable, connect them to each other in series by connecting their RS485 terminals: RS-485A to RS-485A, RS-485B to RS-485B, RS485G to RS485G (see the images at right).

  • Make sure a unique communications ID number has been assigned to each inverter, according to the manufacturer's manual.

4.  Set the DIP switches:

  • The switches are located to the left of the RS485 terminals inside the display panel. They need to be set to the following positions:

    switch# position
    1 off
    2 off
    3 on
    4 on

5a.  If a WattMetrics Residential agent is being used:

  • If a WattMetrics cable with an RJ45 coupler on the end is used, the cable can be extended using shielded CAT5/6 cable. Terminate one end of the CAT5/6 cable using standard T568 A or B pin-out. Leave the other end bare wire to connect to the RS485 terminals on the inside of the inverter display panel (see image at right).>

    CAT5/6 T568 A/B pin-out CAT5/6 Wire Color Solectria display panel RS485 terminals
    4 BE RS485G
    7 WE/BN RS485A
    8 BN RS485B
      drain chassis

     

  • If using a bare-ended WattMetrics cable,connect the bare wires at one end of the cable provided by WattMetrics to the RS485 terminals on the inside of the inverter display panel (see the image at right).

    WattMetrics USB-485 Cable Wire Color Function Solectria display panel RS485 terminals
    485+ orange data A RS485A
    485- yellow data B RS485B
    GND black common RS485G
    (do not connect) (bare) shield/drain (no connection)

     

  • Connect the USB end of the WattMetrics cable to one of the USB ports on the agent.

5b.  If a WattMetrics Commercial agent is being used:

  • Using shielded CAT5/6 cable, connect one of the RS485 ports in the WattMetrics agent to the RS485 terminals on the inside of the inverter display panel (see the image at right).

    Agent COM1 or COM2 Wire Color Function Solectria display panel RS485 terminals
    485+ white w/orange stripe data A RS485A
    485- orange data B RS485B
    GND brown common RS485G
    (do not connect) (bare) shield/drain (no connection)

     

6.  Finish installing the agent as outlined in the "installing agents" section of this manual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 (click any image for more detail)    

display panel cover

RS485 terminals and DIP switches 

commercial agent communication ports