Victron SMA Integration: Modbus TCP Setup

Key Takeaways

• Integrated solar telemetry: By connecting a SMA PV Inverter, ie a Sunny Boy, and Color Control GX to a Victron GX product, allows to: See information from the PV Inverter on the GX device. Monitor it on the VRM Portal.
• Modbus power control restriction: There is no power control function for SMA PV Inverters in the Victron GX product. This means that with SMA, there is no equivalent to the 'Fronius Zero Feed-in' feature in a Victron ESS system.
• Off-grid frequency regulation: Frequency shift power control, as required in a AC-Coupling system does work.
• Modbus communication protocol: SMA PV Inverters (“Sunny Boy”) needs to be configured so a GX device, such as the Color Control GX and the Venus GX, can read data via ModbusTCP.
• Interface hardware verification: Confirm you have a WebConnect module installed (as far as I know all new SMA Sunny Boys are supplied with these modules).
• Configuration software tool: Download Sunny Explorer software for Windows from the SMA website.
• Installer Speedwire setup: Create a “Speedwire Plant” using the IP address of the SMA Sunny Boy Connect as the “installer” user.
• Standard communication port: Enable the TCP and UDP server; keep the default port (502).
• Firmware compatibility baseline: The version of the Software Package should be 02.81.01.R or later.
• Firmware maintenance method: If you are running an older version, use Sunny Explorer - Tools - Device Update to update the firmware on the SMA Sunny Boy.
• Automated and manual discovery: The GX device should now automatically detect the PV inverter. If that does not happen, select Settings from the Device List, scroll down to “PV Inverters” and click on “Press to Scan” to “Find PV Inverters”.
• Daylight troubleshooting rule: It is possible that the GX device is not detecting the SMA PV inverter when it is dark so at least wait until it's light before further troubleshooting.

Speedwire Architecture & Modbus TCP Communication

Victron GX devices interface with SMA Sunny Boy and Tripower solar inverters over standard Ethernet LAN using SMA Speedwire protocols, providing live power telemetry on local GX screens and the VRM cloud portal.

The Victron and SMA inverter integration operates over SMA Speedwire Modbus TCP (Port 502, firmware floor 02.81.01.R), delivering live GX and VRM telemetry logging alongside off-grid frequency shift droop regulation:

• SMA Sunny Explorer: Speedwire Plant, Installer User Login, Modbus TCP Port 502, Package 02.81.01.R.
• GX Discovery Scan: Auto Detection, "Press to Scan", PV Inverters List, VRM Portal Sync.
• Power Control: No Modbus Zero, Frequency Droop, AC-Coupled Safe, MultiPlus Droop.

Installation Rules & Speedwire Setup

1. Software Tool Installation: First Download Sunny Explorer software for Windows from the SMA website and Confirm you have a WebConnect module installed (as far as I know all new SMA Sunny Boys are supplied with these modules).
2. Speedwire Plant Creation: Open Sunny Explorer and Create a “Speedwire Plant” using the IP address of the SMA Sunny Boy Connect as the “installer” user.
3. Modbus Server Activation: Navigate to External Communication and Enable the TCP and UDP server; keep the default port (502) ensuring SMA PV Inverters (“Sunny Boy”) needs to be configured so a GX device, such as the Color Control GX and the Venus GX, can read data via ModbusTCP.
4. Firmware Verification: Verify that The version of the Software Package should be 02.81.01.R or later.; If you are running an older version, use Sunny Explorer - Tools - Device Update to update the firmware on the SMA Sunny Boy.

GX Device Discovery & Telemetry Logging

Once configured on the local network:

• Automated and Manual Detection: The GX device should now automatically detect the PV inverter. If that does not happen, select Settings from the Device List, scroll down to “PV Inverters” and click on “Press to Scan” to “Find PV Inverters”.
• System Telemetry: Operates because By connecting a SMA PV Inverter, ie a Sunny Boy, and Color Control GX to a Victron GX product, allows to: See information from the PV Inverter on the GX device. Monitor it on the VRM Portal.
• Daylight Diagnostic Condition: Remember that It is possible that the GX device is not detecting the SMA PV inverter when it is dark so at least wait until it's light before further troubleshooting.

Power Control Characteristics & Off-Grid AC-Coupling

Installers must note key differences between SMA and Fronius power control architectures:

• Modbus Power Control: There is no power control function for SMA PV Inverters in the Victron GX product. This means that with SMA, there is no equivalent to the 'Fronius Zero Feed-in' feature in a Victron ESS system.
• Islanded Frequency Droop: In off-grid or power outage scenarios, Frequency shift power control, as required in a AC-Coupling system does work., allowing the MultiPlus-II to safely curtail SMA production as battery state of charge reaches 100%.

Technical Specifications & Integration Summary