How to Test the Connection to Your SMA Inverter

You have created your own application for querying SMA inverters via SMA Modbus or SunSpec Modbus. Unfortunately, something does not seem to be working properly and the inverter is not responding as expected.

A Modbus simulator enables you to test the connection to your SMA inverter. Using this tool, you can query the value of a register from your SMA inverter—and if you receive a response, this means that you can rule out the IT environment, for example, as a potential source of the problem.

 

You can obtain the freeware from the following website:

Modbus Master Simulator

Important: The simulator is not SMA software and we cannot perform any service activities for it.

 

SMA requirements:
  • Inverter with Speedwire (Ethernet) interface
  • Inverter with Modbus interface

 

Quick Reference Guide:

1. Set the network address

First, you have to find your inverter’s network IP address. This is the same address where you access the inverter in a web browser or in Sunny Explorer.

1_a

 

Open the tool and choose Connection/Settings or click the icon in the toolbar.

2

Enter the IP address of the inverter that you want to query.

3

 

2. Connect to the inverter

Once you have entered the IP address, connect to the inverter by clicking “Connect.”

4

 

3. Create a new file

Once the connection is active, create a new query window.

5

 

4. Enter the parameters

Now enter the following parameters:

  1. “Device ID”: 3 (for querying via … 3 – SMA Modbus, 126- SunSpec Modbus)
  2. “Address” (register to be queried; here 30051)
  3. Select “Holding registers” (read and write)

Simulator with SMA documentation

Simulator with SMA documentation

 

Once you have queried the value of the register, you will receive a response like the one shown above in the sample screenshot.

Register: 30051 (query of device class)

Response: 8001 (output value = Solar inverters)

 

I hope that this quick reference guide is helpful for you.

 

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87 Comments
  1. Eilko Nijboer
    Eilko Nijboer says:

    I have an SB3600TL-21 converter, on wchih I have modbus activated on port 502. When I setup a connection to the converter on that port, the connection is accepted. But queries are not responded.
    (Connecting to 503 results in timeout, just a test).
    Connecting and communitating to newer converters just works, only this converter doesn’t repond at all. SW version is 2.81.01.R.

    Can I update the firmware? Or can I do something else to reset the problem?

    Reply
    • Christiane Keim
      Christiane Keim says:

      Hello Eilok,

      Please get back to our SMA Service for further technical support as we need more details to support you here.
      Thank you!

      Sunny regards
      Christiane

      Reply
  2. Ralf
    Ralf says:

    Hallo,
    my attempts to read the Modbus register of my new Tripower X 15 failed in some cases. Esp. I want to read the power values of the 3 different strings (Measurement.DcMs.Watt: 30961,30967,30973,31213,31219) you mentioned in the official Modbus sheet https://files.sma.de/downloads/PARAMETER-STPxx-50_V01.zip . The values are all the same and showing the sum value like 30775.
    What can I do?

    Regards,
    Ralf

    Reply
    • Andy
      Andy says:

      Hello Ralf,
      did you get a response from support that solved your problem?
      If yes, can you give a short explaination of how you got the correct information?

      I’m currently stuck with the same problem of identical values in each register…

      Regards,
      Andy

      Reply
      • Christiane Keim
        Christiane Keim says:

        Hello Andy,

        As you are already in contact with our SMA Service, we kindly ask you to wait for a feedback from our Service colleagues.
        Thanks for your understanding.

        Sunny regards
        Christiane

  3. Simone
    Simone says:

    Hello, does the Sunny Tripower 17000TL-10 inverter support the Modbus RTU protocol via the RS485 interface?

    Reply
    • Christiane Keim
      Christiane Keim says:

      Hello Simone,

      Please check our Website for further information (“Background knowledge).
      Either download the current ZIP file then and follow the link to the “Device Type Enum. Alternatively, please go directly to the list.

      In case you need further help, please contact us again!

      Sunny regards
      Christiane

      Reply
  4. Sunil
    Sunil says:

    Hi could you please show me command and response format with the help of example for STP 25000TL-30 inverter using RS485.

    Reply
  5. Daniel
    Daniel says:

    Hello SMA,
    I bought an inverter Sunny Boy 5000TL Multi-String and it supports only 7.5 Amp as Input per each string. If the current exceeds 7.5 Amp on a string the inverter will be burned or has protection to avoid this?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • SMA Solar
      SMA Solar says:

      Hello Daniel,

      of course security mechanisms are built into our products. However, these should not be exhausted and the system should be planned accordingly. It is best to contact our colleagues at the Online Service Center or your installer, who will be happy to help you with any questions you may have. If you have the expertise yourself, you can also use our Sunny Design.

      Sunny regards!

      Reply
  6. Bart
    Bart says:

    Dear SMA,
    I’m using modbus to readout my Tripower converter.
    Modbus address 30953 returns the Temperature.
    As I know that after 40C ambient temp, de converter will start derating, I’d like to know what temperature is being measured and reported on this address. Would it be ambient temp or eq. the temp of the internal CPU or memory (or alike).
    Thanks,
    Bart

    Reply
  7. Jan R
    Jan R says:

    Dear,
    I have an SMA SB3300 with a RS485 piggyback module that communicates to a SolarLog 100e.
    Since the SolarLog has become obsolete I want to directly interface with the piggyback module over RS485 (ModBus).
    Could you share what are the settings in terms of SMA ID, baudrate, databits, stopbits and parity?
    I already contacted my local installer but he could not help me and suggested to contact SMA support for this specific topic.

    Thank you in advance

    Reply
  8. Tjarco Boerkoel
    Tjarco Boerkoel says:

    Hi,

    We have two sunny boy 6.0-1AV-41 inverters and enables modbus with ID=3. We are able to connect to the inverter using modbus on ID=3, but we would like to use sunspec protocol.
    Our question is:

    To be able to use sunspec, do we have to set the inverters ID to 126? Or is the sunspec always accessable on ID 126 (regardless of the modbus ID)?

    Best regards,

    Reply
  9. Wim
    Wim says:

    Hi,

    Does the STP 6000TL-20 support Modbus RTU?
    It has an RS485 data module.

    If it doesn’t support it, which gateway can be added in order to support Modbus RTU?

    Reply
    • Christiane Keim
      Christiane Keim says:

      Hello Wim

      You will find more information regarding Modus in our download area on our website (Download – Background Knowledge).

      Best regards
      Christiane

      Reply
  10. Rabi
    Rabi says:

    ” Parameter modification using python”
    Hi
    I want to use python on my PC to configure parameters of the SMA sunny boy inverter as a server-client. Have any documents regarding this or how can I do this?

    Reply
  11. Gema
    Gema says:

    Hi
    I have stp25000tl com rs485 but i cant find the unit id via webbox…. How to find stp unit id
    Thx

    Reply
  12. mohd fazli abdul rahman
    mohd fazli abdul rahman says:

    hi,
    i connected 50 unit of SMA SMC11000TL with 1 webbox n try to communicate via Modbus, i tried communicate using modbus master simulator its connected but the not read address register for inverter. can i know what is the problem?

    thanks

    Reply
  13. Gabrio Moresi
    Gabrio Moresi says:

    Hello,
    I’m trying to connect via modbus to my STP 9000TL-20, I enabled modbus TCP/UDP and webconnect using SW that you suggested, but no answer from inverter… and timeout message is the only answer, have you got suggestions?

    Reply
  14. Jose Piña
    Jose Piña says:

    Hello, I am currently installing the HighPowerPeak 3 inverters, these investors supposedly communicate via Modbus TCP, but I have encountered the same problems of some colleagues, through the ModScan or Kepserver through a Modbus TCP client, the records give me the data of 65535 or -1, can you know why this happens to me? Thank you

    Reply
  15. David
    David says:

    Hola
    Tengo comunicando por modbus un SB5.0 y un Island 4.4, accedo sin problemas a los registros con Id=3
    el problema es que quiero acceder a los registros de la planta para ver:
    potencia inyectada, potencia generada, potencia consumida de la red…
    Pero estos registros parece que se utiliza con ID=1, pero no consigo conectar ni con sb5.0, ni tampoco con island.
    Pueden indicarme como acceder a estos parámetros de planta ??
    el Home manager no tiene IP propia para acceder estos parámetros ??

    Reply
  17. Caroline Kateme
    Caroline Kateme says:

    Hello, we have the sunny island 3.0M/4.4M/6.0H/8.0H offgrid inverter with the SICOMM SMA NR, RS485 module, and would like to know the following modbus profile:
    Baud Rate:
    Data bits:
    Stop bits:
    Parity:
    Flow control:

    Reply
    • Carolyn Schlosser
      Carolyn Schlosser says:

      Hi Caroline,

      Please contact your installer, he knows your system the best.

      Sunny regards,
      Carolyn

      Reply
  18. Fernanda Moura
    Fernanda Moura says:

    Hello,
    I have a Sunny Island 8.0H and I am able to communicate with it via modbus and read the values correctly.
    However, I am unable to write in any address that is RW or WO. When I try to write in an address, the value doesn’t change even for addresses that don’t require the the user sends the grid code before.
    What steps should I take to be able to write in addresses?

    Thanking you in advance,
    Fernanda

    Reply
  19. Sjaak
    Sjaak says:

    Hello,

    We have a Sunny boy SB3.0-1AV-41 with firmware 3.0.7.
    We want to communicatie using the sunspec modbus interface.
    We can communicate using the simulator using id=3 and register 30051 (response is 8001)
    But we are not able to read sunspec modbus registers (id = 126), none of the registers is having a value that corresponds with the expectations. Mostly FFFF. Also reducing the adress with 1 (sma sunspec modbus documentation) does not work.

    First question is : Is the SB3.0-1AV-41 capable of communication using SunSpec modbus?
    Secund question would be: What can we do to make it work for us?

    Thanks in advance for your answer,
    kind regards

    Sjaak

    Reply
  20. Arturo Ro
    Arturo Ro says:

    Hola,

    ¿Debería funcionar con este modelo?

    SB 5000TL-21 536
    Firmware: 02.81.01.R
    Versión de comunicación: 1.1.9.11

    Acabo de probar con el simulador con los parámetros dados en este artículo y obtengo 65565 como valor para todas las direcciones (sin ningún error de lectura o escritura).

    A través de Sunny Explorer, el modbus está activado (TCP / 502 + UDP / 502) y el Id. De la unidad está bien configurado en 3.

    Sobre esta consulta me ocurre el mismo problema, en un inversor STP 20000TL-US-10, SU AYUDA PARA SABER PORQUE PASA ESTO….AMBOS RESULTADOS ESTAN PRESE TES EN MODBUS MASTER, MODBUS SCAN, Y SW SCADA

    Reply
      • Arturo Ro
        Arturo Ro says:

        Queremos hacer la integración de un inversor STP 20000TL-US-10 a un sistema BMS, tenemos comunicación, pero al momento de consultar por algún registro específico no da como resultado 65535, ó -1.000000, ó un número 42#####.####, queremos saber cuál puede ser el problema

  21. Syaiful
    Syaiful says:

    Hello,

    I have Sunny Island SI 3.0 with included SWDMSI-NR10 for communication, It still use SRC for setting the parameter, but we can’t access the SI to turn on MODBUS enable, so our controller still cant read the SI.

    Reply
  22. Kemas
    Kemas says:

    Hello,,

    I have SMA Sunny Island SI8.0h-12 but I have some problem with modbus configuration. I can’t do “modbus command” to create set point power active and reactive nevertheless it is OK just for reading meter data by using modbus. Do you know how to configure modbus communication? Do you have experience with set point Power active using Modbus ?

    Reply
    • Anke Baars
      Anke Baars says:

      Hi Kemas,
      Thanks for your request. I´ll send you an email with the relevant information. Just check you inbox and let me know if it works.
      Kind regards,
      Anke

      Reply
  23. Gachoud Philippe
    Gachoud Philippe says:

    Hi,
    as answered for the 12000TL, does the 10000TL have a modbus sunspec compliant interface without any data logger like cluster controller?

    Reply
    • Anke Baars
      Anke Baars says:

      Hi Gachoud,
      All inverters of type STP 10000 have a modbus sunspec interface. To use sunspec modbus, the inverters have to be equipped with the Speedwire data module. Please also bear in mind that the minimum firmware versions have to be installed on the devices (please refer to the technical information SunSpec Modbus Interface document to see which firmware versions are supported and their corresponding device-specific Modbus registers).
      All documents can be downloaded at http://www.SMA.de in the download area. If you are not able to find your type directly on the download section, please check the menu archive that is also found in the download area of our website.
      I hope this is helpful for you.
      Kind regards, Anke

      Reply
  24. Billy
    Billy says:

    Hello,

    I’ve tried to make a modbus communication with my Sunny Boy SB2.5-1VL-40 (FW 2.5.1.R) , I successfuly get it work when using Device ID 3 (SMA Modbus).
    But I didn’t succeed to use the Device ID 126 (SunSpec Modbus). Is it normal?
    Regards

    Reply
    • Anke Baars
      Anke Baars says:

      Hello Billy,

      To read or to write Modbus registers in each case use register numbers reduced by the offset of 1. Example:
      Modbus register address = Modbus register number in SunSpec Modbus profile – offset
      40001 – 1 = 40000.
      Please find further information concerning Modbus® and SunSpec®Modbus®.
      Kind regards,
      Anke

      Reply
      • Billy
        Billy says:

        Hello,

        thanks for the response.
        Unfortunately, I didn’t succeed to use Mobus Doctor with Device ID 126 as I get a timeout when requesting data (address 40001 for example) . It only works with Device ID 3 (address 30051 for ex).

        On other side, I succeed to ran pySunSpec suns.py with Device ID 126 and the returned data are relevant. But I do not know which address this software is requesting. Seems there are still some things I do not understand 🙁

  25. Brillian Rolduz M. Teope
    Brillian Rolduz M. Teope says:

    By the model of inverter we have is the spr-7000m which i assume is the same with the sb7000us

    Reply
  26. Brillian Rolduz M. Teope
    Brillian Rolduz M. Teope says:

    Hello Anke Baars, what are the options to have our SCADA (Wonderware) communicate with the SB7000US?

    Reply
  27. Brillian Rolduz M. Teope
    Brillian Rolduz M. Teope says:

    Hello, we have the sunny boy 7000-us inverter with the RS485 piggy back module, may i know what are the following modbus profile:

    Baud Rate:
    Data bits:
    Stop bits:
    Parity:
    Flow control:

    Reply
    • Anke Baars
      Anke Baars says:

      Hi Brillian,
      I´m sorry, but Sunny Boy 7000-US has no Modbus interface. The RS485 module is for communication with a datalogger, e.g. WebBox. The inverter is not in our portfolio anymore.
      There are also different old and new types of SB 7000 US:
      – SB 7000 TL-US-22: has no Modbus interface, the RS485 module is for communication with a datalogger, e.g. WebBox. Inverter is also not in our portfolio anymore.
      – SB 7.0-1XP-US-40: has a Modbus/TCP interface via the Webconnect module, Modbus/RTU via RS485 is not implemented. The RS485 interface is for the SMA Revenue Grade Meter Kit.
      Either the old inverter have no Modbus overall, or the new inverter has Modbus/TCP.
      I hope, this is helpful for you.
      Kind regards, Anke

      Reply
      • Filip Forro
        Filip Forro says:

        Hi,

        I have the same question. We have the SMA SB 1300 TL-10 and would like to monitor inverter parameters with the RS485 interface. My question is, if that is possible by connecting the interface to a 3rd party gateway that supports RS485. You mention the RS485 is used to communicate with the datalogger, e.g. WebBox. Is this the only logger which can do this?
        Best regards, Filip

  28. Chiellio
    Chiellio says:

    Hallo Eduard de Jong,
    Wij hebben hetzelfde probleem!. Hebben jullie al een oplossing aangedragen gekregen, zoja mogen wij dit ook weten?.
    Alvast bedankt.

    Reply
  29. eduard de jong
    eduard de jong says:

    We have 3 sunny tripower invertors. What material is needed to get them connected to a scada systemen and communicate with Modbus TCP.

    Do we need a cluster controller or can we connect directly. Is there any detailed information how to get connected (a system topology)?

    Reply
    • Nick Samson
      Nick Samson says:

      Hi Eduard,
      we need to know which device designation and which firmware your inverters have?
      best greetings
      Nick

      Reply
      • Eduard de Jong
        Eduard de Jong says:

        Hi Nick,

        We hebben met de Sunny Explorer de Modbus op ENABLE gezet. We krijgen echter steeds xFFFF terug als antwoord. Het modbus ID hebben we op 1,2,3,126 gezet maar niks veranderd het antwoord. Onze units zijn 2110337101, 2110337640 en 2110383319.

  30. Jeff Unabia
    Jeff Unabia says:

    We installed an Inverter Manager and a Janitza meter for the zero export function.
    We already configured the details on the “Limited Export” tab of the LCS tool.
    Is there other configurations that we need to do to assure that there will be a zero export?
    We got advised that we need to access Sunspec Modbus and set register 19026 to zero,

    Reply
  31. Jeroen
    Jeroen says:

    Hello,
    I have the Sunny Boy 3600 Smart Energy and I’m using Modbus to charge/discharge the battery.
    When I send the 6 commands for grid management per second, the battery charges/discharges but after 10 seconds the Sunny Home Manager takes over for a short time.

    I changed the time between the commands but that doesn’t help.

    Can someone help me please?

    Best Regards,

    Jeroen

    Reply
    • Carolyn Schlosser
      Carolyn Schlosser says:

      Hello Jeroen,

      Please contact you installer. He knows your system and the local conditions the best. In case he is not able to help you, feel free to sign in on our Service-Line.

      Sunny regards,
      Carolyn

      Reply
      • Sheshbahadur
        Sheshbahadur says:

        Hello Carolyn ,
        We have installed SMA Sunny Tripower Solar Inverter Model No : STP25000TL-30 , Serial No : 1901252689.
        Connected the Internet cable on Lan Port A , But Inverter is unable to get IP address and other Information due to this we are unable to view online data, If we remove the cable and connect to Laptop we are able to browse the internet , kindly let us if any setting or configuration need s to activated or deactivated. Router is on DHCP . Could you guide us what is the problem

  32. Rajko
    Rajko says:

    Hello, I have the STP 1000TL10 inverter, with software 02.55.00.N and Speedwire/webconnect module. I am trying to read Modbus TCP data, but all I got is data showing 4294967295 results. I doubt that the software version is correct because I read that it must be, at least, version 2.65.02.R. Where can I find the upgrading firmware software? I took a look on SMA webpage, but unfortunatly I did not find the correct one for my inverter type.

    Best regards!

    Rajko

    Reply
    • Rhea Terlinden
      Rhea Terlinden says:

      Dear Rajko,

      Since the inverter has been discontinued already, the firmware updates are available at http://www.SMA.de in the download section “Archive”.
      Please read the update instructions carefully in order to install the update.

      Kind regards

      Rhea

      Reply
  34. Vincent Quintin
    Vincent Quintin says:

    Hello,

    Should it work with this model?

    SB 5000TL-21 536
    Firmware: 02.81.01.R
    Communication version: 1.1.9.11

    I have just tested with the simulator with the parameters given in this article and I get 65565 as value for all addresses (without any error read or write).

    Via Sunny Explorer, modbus is activated (TCP/502+UDP/502) and Unit Id is well set on 3.

    Thanks in advance for your answer.

    Regards,

    Vincent

    Reply
    • Jose Piña
      Jose Piña says:

      Hello, I am currently installing the HighPowerPeak 3 inverters, these investors supposedly communicate via Modbus, but I have encountered the same problems of some colleagues, through the ModScan or Kepserver through a Modbus TCP client, the records give me the data of 65535 or -1, can you know why this happens to me? Thank you

      Reply
  36. Willy
    Willy says:

    Hello,
    I’m trying to write to the registers of the Sunspec Profile (unit id 126) of my Sunny Island 3.0M-11 (with SpeedWirte module). In particular I’m writing a ‘1’ to register 40375 to which I’m supposed to have read/write access. This should change the mode of the battery management system to ‘Battery discharge’. I’m getting no Modbus-exception when I do a ‘Write Multiple Registers’ (Modbus function 16)- but reading that register again shows me no change- it still holds a ‘0’.

    Do I have to login as some super user first, to be able to write to registers of the SunSpec profile?
    Is there any other possibility to manually discharge the battery over Modbus TCP?

    Best regards,

    Willy

    Reply
  37. Max
    Max says:

    Hi, I have an STP-12000TL-20. Does it have a SMA Modbus / SunSpec ModBus Data Interface? Is it different from STP-12000TL-US?

    Reply
  38. J Dawson
    J Dawson says:

    Sunny portal iOS app crashes when I try to open it. I tried reinstalling, but that didn’t help. Any ideas?

    Thanks, Janet.

    Reply
    • Julia Stunz
      Julia Stunz says:

      Hi Janet,
      Could you please tell us, which version of the Sunny Portal App do you use?

      Best regards,
      Julia

      Reply
  39. Max Müller
    Max Müller says:

    I have a STP-12000TL-20 and I am trying to communicate with a 485 Interface Data Module Type B, and this method is not working for me.
    There´s something I am doing wrong?
    If so, where can I find instructions to get data through RS485 to my SCADA system?

    Reply
    • Julia Stunz
      Julia Stunz says:

      Hello Max,
      We regret to tell you that it isn`t possible to have access to the inverter from type STP-12000TL-20 without a data logger/gateway,
      such as the SMA Sunny Webbox or the SMA Cluster Controller. Therefore, data query through RS485 only through your SCADA system won´t work.

      Kind regards,
      Julia

      Reply
      • Julia Stunz
        Julia Stunz says:

        Hi Max,
        We would like to suggest that you contact directly the manufacturer of your choice.
        Please kindly understand that we have not tested all available gateway units.
        Therefore, we can not guarantee the functionality of the data logger you have mentioned in your previous message.

        To learn more about the Modbus protocol interface, please follow the link.

        Kind regards,
        Julia

    • Leonie Blume
      Leonie Blume says:

      We regret to tell you that Sunny Explorer is designed for Microsoft Windows OS only. The software won´t be able to run on a tablet device.

      Regards,
      Leonie

      Reply
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