Reduxi-SMA integration enables flexible inverter commissioning for grid balancing, boosting efficiency & creating cost-saving arbitrage opportunities for higher profits.
1. SMA Solar Technology official site:
Link: https://www.sma.de/en/
2. Communication connection between SMA Solar Technology and the Reduxi system
The system supports multiple connection, all utilizing Modbus TCP/IP protocol to interface with solar inverters. This standardized approach enables reliable, real-time data acquisition from your photovoltaic inverters and other devices as well.
2.1 Option 1, using SMA Data Manager
Here, the SMA Data Manager device is used to enable a bridge connection between various inverters, energy meters, and batteries. SMA Data Manager device and all other devices are connected via RS485, where connection to SMA Data Manager and Reduxi system is done via Modbus TCP/IP.
All devices per category are summed up and displayed as a whole:
- PV
- Batteries
- Energy meters
- EVSE
2.1.1 Process for establishing Communication between the Reduxi System and SMA Data Manager.
1. Enable Modbus TCP/IP on SMA Data Manager, follow the link:
https://manuals.sma.de/EVCB/en-US/13871002507.html
Step for Grid measurements:
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Step 1
- Step 2
3. Step 3
2. Once Modbus TCP/IP is enabled, testing on the Reduxi Configurator (use IP, or reduxi.local DNS for access) is advised to be conducted to ensure the connection is established:
- Go to the Reduxi configurator
- Access Settings/System/Tools:
- Conduct a test, if Modbus TCP/IP is enabled, port 502 is opened; otherwise is closed:
2.2 Option 2, using SMA SPEEDWIRE/WEBCONNECT DATA MODULE
Here, the Module is used to ensure the Inverter (point 2.4 in the document from SMA, link below) with LAN communication, additionally enabling Modbus TCP/IP protocol to be used.
2.2.1 Process of establishing communication between the Reduxi system and
SMA SPEEDWIRE/WEBCONNECT DATA MODULE
1. Enable Modbus TCP/IP on SMA SPEEDWIRE/WEBCONNECT DATA MODULE. Follow the link:
https://files.sma.de/downloads/SWWEBCONDM-IA-US_en-14W.pdf
2. Once Modbus TCP/IP is enabled, testing on the Reduxi Configurator is advised to be conducted to ensure the connection is established: please follow 2.1.1
2.3 Option 3, using a direct LAN connection to SMA inverters.
Here, no additional HW is needed; inverters are equipped with a LAN port, which enables communication via Modbus TCP/IP.
2.3.1 Process of establishing communication between the Reduxi system and
SMA Inverters.
1. Enable Modbus TCP/IP on the Inverter. For that, connect to the inverter SW interface and activate the Modbus TCP/IP.
2. Once Modbus TCP/IP is enabled, testing on the Reduxi Configurator is advised to be conducted to ensure the connection is established: please follow 2.1.1.
3. Adding devices to the Reduxi System
The process of adding all devices is the same, since the Modbus TCP/IP protocol is used, i.e., information of IP/IPs is the necessary input.
3.1 Adding SMA Data Manager
The SMA Data Manager functions as a logger, whereas in the Reduxi system, it operates as a Hybrid Inverter since it supports connections to multiple device types. Communication is conducted via IP, and aggregated values for each group are displayed. Additionally, individual devices can be accessed through the SMA Data Manager, but in this case, the slave address of the specific device must be defined.
Example for adding SMA Data Manager as a Hybrid Inverter:
1. Open Reduxi Configurator in your preferred browser (use IP, or reduxi.local DNS) and click +Add new device:
2. Basic settings, choose device type:
- Device type: Hybrid Inverter
- Type: SMA Data Manager
- Name: "SMA Data Manager", rename if needed.
2. Communication channel settings, choose connection:
- Insert the IP of the SMA Data Manager
3. Define which device types are connected to the SMA Data Manager:
- Electricity meter, YES/NO
- Battery, YES/NO
4. Test communication, conduct a test if data is obtained, press the Test communication button:
- Test OK:
- Test not OK:
3.2 Adding SMA SPEEDWIRE/WEBCONNECT DATA MODULE
In this scenario, the user does not add an SMA Speedwire/Webconnect Data Module directly. Instead, this module simply provides LAN connectivity to a specific inverter. To add the device, the user selects the type of inverter that needs to be connected.
Example is given, where SMA Sunny Tripower CORE1 (STP 50-40 / STP 50-41) as individuala inverter is added:
1. Open Reduxi Configurator in your preferred browser (use IP, or reduxi.local DNS) and click +Add new device:
Basic settings, choose device type:
- Device type: Solar power plant
- Type: SMA Sunny Tripower CORE1 (STP 50-40 / STP 50-41)
- Name: "SMA Sunny Tripower CORE1 (STP 50-40 / STP 50-41)", rename if needed.
2. Communication channel settings, choose connection:
- Insert the IP of the SMA SPEEDWIRE/WEBCONNECT DATA MODULE
- Test OK:
- Test not OK:
3.3 Adding the SMA inverter directly if the LAN port is available (newer versions of inverters)
In this case, all settings remain the same as described in section 3.2 . The only difference is that the user adds the inverter by entering the IP address of the inverter's LAN port.
4. Last measurements
The purpose of this point is to show how to monitor/check readings from the devices.
To access data from SMA Data Manager, in Reduxi configurator acceess Devices/SAM Data Manager:
To access data from SMA SPEEDWIRE/WEBCONNECT DATA MODULE in Reduxi configurator acceess Devices/SMA Sunny Tripower CORE1 (STP 50-40 / STP 50-41), desribed by point 3.2:
For advanced control of all devices, integrate the device into the Optimization modes of the Reduxi system. Under Devices/all devices in the Reduxi configurator, the control type must be set to AUTO so that commands from Optimization modes will take effect on the devices.
To achieve maximal flexibility and energy cost reduction with respect to dynamic price and dynamic tariffs, please follow the instructions on how to define strategy at this link: Strategies for Reduxi controller.
After successfully adding the device, it can be monitored and controlled via the Reduxi application.