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Introduction
TM
SolarVu is an energy portal that enables remote monitoring of renewable
energy generation sites over the internet. It requires the installation of a
SolarVu gateway which continuously transfers data from the inverters to the
remote SolarVu servers. This guide explains how to connect the M504
gateway to Solis Three Phase inverters. Several steps are required:
1) Connect the SolarVu gateway to the inverters
2) Connect the SolarVu gateway to the building LAN for internet access
3) Enter the communications settings into each inverter
4) Access SolarVu from a browser and configure the energy portal
Site Preparation
To access SolarVu from a browser, the inverters communicate serially with a
SolarVu M504 gateway connected to the site network as shown in fig 1. The
M504 connects to inverter(s) over RS485 using shielded twisted pair wire,
daisy chained for multiple inverters. The LAN must have high speed internet
service to an ISP to provide access to the internet. The M504 RJ45 ethernet
jack plugs into an RJ45 LAN router or wall jack using a standard Cat5e patch
cable of convenient length. Alternatively, SolarVu can be ordered with a 3G
cellular modem for wireless internet connection. A 120VAC outlet for the
gateway power dongle is required.
M504 Gateway Installation
Power Supply: Connect from a 120VAC source to the breaker (terminal L),
terminal N and GND inside SolarVu enclosure as shown in fig 2.
RS485 Serial: Connect the RS485 serial Cat5e cable between the gateway
terminals and the Solis inverter's RS485 terminal as shown in fig 3 and 4.
Being careful to match the inverter type and correct wire colour to the
terminals. Recommended cable type is Cat5e, 8 wire, UTP, #24 solid.
Twisted pair must be used for the RS485 serial data wires. Use a tie wrap to
provide strain relief for the Cat5e cable. Over 1000 feet of wire can be used
for reliable serial communications.
Ethernet: Use a standard ethernet patch cable with RJ45 plug on each end
of the appropriate length to connect from the RJ45 ethernet jack on the
gateway to the network ethernet at a RJ45 wall jack or router/switch. This is
usually an auto IP assignment using DHCP from a small sites but a larger
commercial organization my require static IP settings specified by the IT
system administrator. This should be specified at time of order. Settings as
shipped can be verified from the SolarVu configuration sheet included in the
enclosure document pouch. Alternatively, SolarVu can be ordered with a 3G
cellular modem/router installed for wireless connection. This requires
installation of a customer supplied SIM card with an active telco account for
service.
c
2018 Copyright CACHELAN cachelan.com
SMART GRID ENERGY
®
SolarVu Installation Guide
For Solis Three Phase Inverters
Fig 1 Typical connection for Acuvim II meter
Ethernet
FIREWALL
ROUTER
CABLE/DSL
MODEM
Fig 2 Typical SolarVu enclosure
3G Cellular Modem
or Optional Router
M504-485 terminal board.
Connect 485 Cat5e cable
to first inverter DM2 card
SolarVu Installation Guide for Solis Three Phase Inverters IM1031-180306
M
Utility Meter
RS485
DATABASE
SolarVu
SERVER
CORPORATE
ETHERNET LAN
Ethernet
INTERNET
ISP
SolarVu Gateway
(Datalogger)
120VAC Breaker
Drill holes and
attach conduit
To Grid
REMOTE BROWSER
ACCESS
24VDC
Power
supply
1
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Summary of Contents for Cachelan SolarVu
- Page 1 To access SolarVu from a browser, the inverters communicate serially with a CORPORATE ETHERNET LAN SolarVu M504 gateway connected to the site network as shown in fig 1. The Ethernet M504 connects to inverter(s) over RS485 using shielded twisted pair wire, FIREWALL daisy chained for multiple inverters.
- Page 2 Inverter Communication Wiring If there is only one inverter, connect the inverter’s RS485 terminal A-IN and B-IN contacts (1 and 2) to the SolarVu M504-485 Terminal Board’s D+ and D- contacts using a twisted pair. To connect more inverters, use another twisted pair to wire the A- OUT and B-OUT (3 and 4) contacts of the connected inverter together with the A-IN and B-IN (1 and 2) contacts of the inverter being added.
-
Page 3: Inverter Configuration
Each Solis inverter must be configured with a unique Slave Address, which is also referred to as its ModBus address or ID. Required inverter number settings are found in the SolarVu enclosure document pouch on the door and are normally assigned as 1,2,3... to match the inverter number. -
Page 4: Network Setup
Network configuration is shown on the gateway label and the Configuration Settings page in the doc pouch. Once the gateway receives its IP address it acts as a client. It will automatically try to connect to the SolarVu server and begin transferring data from the inverter to the server. -
Page 5: Testing The System
SolarVu screens. Using the URL supplied for the system. The gateway is preconfigured to automatically send inverter data to the SolarVu servers. To do this it must first establish an internet connection. Then it will collect data from the inverters and periodically transmit it.