Se Configuration Tool
Se Configuration Tool
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About This Guide
This user guide is intended for Photovoltaic (PV) system owners, installers,
technicians, maintainers, administrators, and integrators who are authorized
to configure the SolarEdge power harvesting system.
This guide describes how to use the SolarEdge Configuration Tool that runs
in a standard Windows GUI, to configure SolarEdge site-specific
parameters, and to display and troubleshoot site-specific issues.
This guide assumes that you have read the SolarEdge Installation Guide.
The guide includes the following chapters:
Chapter 1, Introduction, on page 7, introduces the SolarEdge
Configuration Tool and describes the workflow for installing and using
this software application. This chapter also provides an overview of the
user interface.
Chapter 2, Configuring an Inverter, on page 17, describes each of the
configuration tabs provided in the Configuration Tool.
Chapter 3, Setting Up Multiple Inverters, on page 37, describes how to
set up multiple Inverters in a Master/Slave configuration.
Important Notice
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
Important Notice
Copyright © 2011 SolarEdge Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photographic, magnetic or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of SolarEdge Inc.
This document is solely for the use of SolarEdge customers and employees.
The material furnished in this document is believed to be accurate and reliable. However,
SolarEdge assumes no responsibility for the use of this material. SolarEdge reserves the
right to make changes to the material at any time and without notice.
You may refer to the SolarEdge web site (www.solaredge.com) for the most updated
version.
All company and brand products and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks
of their respective holders.
Exclusion of Liability
The general terms and conditions of delivery of SolarEdge shall apply.
The content of these documents is continually reviewed and amended, where necessary.
However, discrepancies cannot be excluded. No guarantee is made for the completeness of
these documents.
Table of Contents
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
Table of Contents
List of Figures ........................................................................................................................ 5
Support and Contact Information........................................................................................ 6
List of Figures
Figure 1: Inverter Connectors ........................................................................................................ 9
Figure 2: Selecting the COM Port ................................................................................................ 10
Figure 3: The Configuration Tool Main Window ........................................................................ 11
Figure 4: Communication Settings Sub-Tab ................................................................................ 18
Figure 5: RS232 Regular Communication ................................................................................... 19
Figure 6: RS232 GSM Communication ....................................................................................... 20
Figure 7: RS485 Settings ............................................................................................................. 21
Figure 8: ZigBee Enabled ............................................................................................................ 22
Figure 9: LAN Settings when DHCP Disabled ............................................................................ 23
Figure 10: Ping Test ..................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 11: Server Connection Settings......................................................................................... 26
Figure 12: Inter-Inverter Communication Settings ......................................................... 28
Figure 13: Regional Settings Sub-Tab ......................................................................................... 29
Figure 14: Optimizers Data Tab ................................................................................................... 31
Figure 15: Adding an optimizer ................................................................................................... 33
Figure 16: Firmware Upgrade Sub-Tab ....................................................................................... 34
Figure 17: Miscellaneous Sub-Tab .............................................................................................. 35
Figure 18: Setting Real-Time Clock ............................................................................................ 36
Figure 19: Example of RS485 Bus Connection ........................................................................... 37
Support and Contact Information
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
Alternatively, you can click the Support option on the toolbar of the
Configuration Tool’s main window, and click the Contact Us button to
automatically create a support report for the SolarEdge support team. In this
case, your email client is opened with SolarEdge Support as the recipient.
From the window that opens, you can either click Send to save the relevant
site information in a textual .dat file, and send it to SolarEdge, or you can
click Save to save it to the .dat file, for sending at a later time. This file
includes various details about your installation, including all the serial
numbers of the Inverters and Optimizers at the site, how the Inverters are
configured, and a snapshot of the module level monitoring data. This
information is in text format, enabling you to review it before sending it.
These details help the SolarEdge support team diagnose the installation and
provide site-specific troubleshooting information.
If you do not use the Support option described above, before contacting
SolarEdge, collect the following information: Inverter and Optimizer types,
serial number(s) of the relevant Inverter(s) and Optimizer(es) in question,
the error indicated on the Inverter screen or on the SolarEdge Monitoring
Portal, System configuration information (including the type and number of
modules connected, and the number and length of strings), and the
communication method to the SolarEdge server.
Introduction
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
Chapter 1
Introduction
NOTE:
At any time, you can connect a standard PC or computer to the Inverter without
turning it off, in order to display general information about the Inverter(s) and the
Optimizers to which it is connected at the site. However, be aware that changing
parameters or firmware, results in the Configuration Tool shutting off and restarting
the Inverter.
ON/OFF Switch
RS232
In this window, you must specify the COM port through which the
computer is to communicate with the Inverter. To do so, you must verify
the RS-232 COM port on your computer. Instructions are provided in
Appendix A, Verifying the RS-232 COM Port, on page 40.
Selecting the Show on Startup checkbox causes subsequent launches of
the Configuration Tool to view this window upon startup, without having to
select the Connect button.
Main Window
After the Configuration Tool is launched and connected, the Main Window
displays the Inverter Information.
Toolbar
Configuration
Tool Tabs
Selected Inverter
Configuration
Workspace
Inverter List
Inverter List
The Inverter List displays a list of the Inverters to which the Configuration
Tool is connected, as well as each one's serial number.
Selecting an Inverter in this list displays its information in the
Configuration Workspace and enables you to configure it.
If the installation site has more than one Inverter, the Slave Inverters are
connected to the Master Inverter in a bus through their RS485 connectors..
The Inverter List indicates which Inverter is the Master by displaying an
(M) next to its serial number. The laptop or PC on which the Configuration
Tool is installed must be connected to one of the Inverters.
Toolbar
Table 2 describes the Configuration Tool toolbar buttons.
Table 2: Toolbar Buttons
Button Function
Connects the computer to the Inverter through the defined COM port.
Refer to the Connecting to the Inverter section on page 11 for more
information.
Refreshes the currently displayed information on the Configuration Tool
screen, by reading the current data from the Inverter.
Displays a window which describes how to contact SolarEdge support.
Refer to the section on page 37 for more information.
Enables you to redefine the COM port through which the computer
connects. Refer to the Defining the COM Port to the Inverter section on
page 10 for more information.
Introduction
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
Button Function
Exits the Configuration Tool application. Make sure to save all changes
before exiting. Before disconnecting the Inverter, make sure that you
have saved all changes and exited the Configuration Tool application.
System Specifications
Section
describes the parameters in the System Specifications section.
Table 3: System Specifications Parameters
Parameter Description
Inverter Model Specifies the model number of the Inverter; for example, SE3300,
SE4000, and SE5000.
Inverter ID Specifies the serial number of the Inverter. This serial number appears
on the sticker on the side of the Inverter. The Inverter serial number is
also indicated on the warranty card that is provided with the Inverter.
CPU Version Specifies the firmware version of the Inverter’s CPU.
DSP1 Version Specifies the firmware version of the Inverter’s DSP1.
DSP2 Version Specifies the firmware version of the Inverter’s DSP2.
Settings Section
The following are the fields in the Settings section.
Table 4: Settings Section Parameters
Parameter Description
Language Specifies the language of the Inverter interface. This is the language of
the Inverter LCD panel display. The language can be changed in the
Regional Settings tab, as described in the Regional Settings section on
page 29.
Country Specifies the country for which the Inverter is configured. This
determines the electrical specifications of the Inverter. The Country
configuration can be changed in the Regional Settings tab, as described
in the Regional Settings section on page 29.
Introduction
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
Parameter Description
Server Config Specifies the communication method used to transfer the monitored
information from the Inverter to the SolarEdge Monitoring Server.
Available communication methods are:
None – Specifies that the Inverter is not configured to
communicate with the SolarEdge Monitoring Server.
TCP (Ethernet) – Specifies that the Inverter is connected directly to a
LAN.
RS485 – Specifies that the Inverter is connected directly to a
LAN.
RS232 (UART) – Specifies that the Inverter is connected to an
external modem through the RS-232 port.
ZigBee – Specifies that this Inverter is wirelessly connected to an
external ZigBee modem or Master modem for outputting
monitoring data.
For more information, refer to the Communication Tab section on page
18.
Inter-Inverter When more than one Inverter is connected at a site, you can connect the
Config Inverters with a bus connection. This parameter specifies the bus
connection, such as RS485, and whether this Inverter is a Slave or a
Master. Refer to Chapter 4, Setting Up Multiple Inverters on page 37
for more information.
Feature Description
Update Panel As the parameters of the Inverter are constantly changing, the LCD
displays are also constantly changing. Selecting this checkbox
displays on the Main Window, the most updated LCD display.
Clearing this checkbox freezes the LCD display.
Configuring an Inverter
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
Chapter 2
Configuring an Inverter
Communication Settings
Communication Dataflow
The SolarEdge site information can be accessed remotely using the
SolarEdge Monitoring Portal, as described in the SolarEdge Monitoring
Portal User Guide.
In order to transfer monitoring data from a SolarEdge site to the SolarEdge
Monitoring Portal, a communication connection must be set up, as
described below. Communication setup is not required for power
harvesting.
Optimizers send information to the SolarEdge Inverter via DC lines. No
added wires or configuration are required for this purpose. The Inverter
sends this information to the SolarEdge Monitoring Server through the
Internet.
For more information about installation and connection, refer to the
SolarEdge Installation Guide.
Configuring an Inverter
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
Communications Settings
Tab
The Communication Settings tab is opened from the Settings tab in the
Main Window. It enables you to view the communication method used to
transfer SolarEdge site information to the SolarEdge Monitoring Portal, and
to change it, as required.
RS232 Status
Table 6 describes the parameter displayed in the RS232 Status sub-window
in the Communication Settings window.
Table 6: RS232 Status Parameter
Parameter Description
Comm Type Specifies the type of serial communication between the laptop or
external modem, and the Inverter. Possible values are:
Regular – Serial cable connection
GSM – External serially connected GSM modem
Changing the Comm Type value (from Regular to GSM, or vice versa),
changes the RS232 Settings screen that appears.
The parameters on the window that appear for Comm Type = GSM (see
Figure 6) are attainable through your mobile operator.
Table 7: RS232 GSM Parameters
Parameter Description
Modem Type Select the make and model of the GSM modem.
APN Type the Access Point Name, which is a GPRS network identifier.
Username, Type the username and password for accessing GPRS; these fields
Password must be filled in, only if your carrier policy requires them.
RS485 Status
Inverters can be connected to each other at a single site through an RS485
bus connection. In this case, one Inverter is the Master, and the remaining
Inverters are the Slaves. In this sub-window, you can display the RS485
status of the selected Inverter:
Slave – the default
Master
Configuring an Inverter
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
ZigBee Status
The ZigBee sub-window displays the ZigBee status of the selected Inverter:
Disabled – if the ZigBee modem is not installed in the Inverter
Master – if a ZigBee Coordinator is installed in the Inverter
Slave – if a ZigBee Slave is installed in the Inverter
Configuring an Inverter
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
After changing the ZigBee settings, you must click the Apply button, in
order to configure the internal parameters to the ZigBee card.
Configuring an Inverter
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
LAN Status
The LAN Status sub-window displays the settings of the communication
parameters of the router interface, used to connect the Inverter to the
Internet. Table 9 describes these parameters.
Table 9: LAN Status Parameters
Parameter Description
DHCP When DHCP is Enabled, the Inverter’s IP address has
automatically been set by the Internet Gateway, and is
displayed in the IP field (the following parameter).
When DHCP is Disabled, you have to manually enter a fixed
IP address for this Inverter.
IP Displays the current IP address of the Inverter.
Subnet A router parameter used for connecting to the Internet.
Gateway A router parameter used for connecting to the Internet.
In the Ping Test window, you can set the parameters for the Ping Test, and
then perform the test.
Table 12: Ping Test Parameters/Buttons
Parameter/Button Description
Address Type the address of the Monitoring Server that is displayed in the
Address field in the Monitor Server Status sub-window.
[Ping] Click this button to check the communication between the Server
and Inverter.
[Clear] Clears the Ping results pane.
[Cancel] Click this button to cancel the Ping Test.
Ping results pane Displays a Success message, if the Ping Test results indicate a
successful connection between the Monitoring Server and the
Configuring an Inverter
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SolarEdge Configuration Tool Software Guide
Parameter/Button Description
Inverter; otherwise, it displays a Failure message.
NOTE:
If your Inverter does not indicate a proper connection to the SolarEdge Server
(indicated by S_OK on the Inverter’s LCD screen), you can use the Ping option
to ping any Internet site in order to verify whether the problem is an Internet
connection or configuration problem. If you cannot ping any sites, you should
check the IP configuration and your local firewall settings.
Parameter Description
Via Select the communication method used to transfer the monitored
information from the Inverter to the SolarEdge Monitoring Server.
Available options are:
None – Specifies that the Inverter is not configured to communicate
with the SolarEdge Monitoring Server.
Ethernet (TCP) – Enables the connection of the Inverter directly to
a LAN.
RS485 – If multiple Inverters are connected through an RS485 bus
in a Master/Slave relationship, selecting this option specifies that
the Slaves on this bus will output the monitoring data via this
RS485.
RS232 (UART) – Enables the connection of the Inverter to an
external modem through the RS-232 port.
ZigBee – Enables you to specify that this Inverter is wirelessly
connected to an external ZigBee modem or a Master modem for
outputting monitoring data.
Regional Settings
The Regional Settings sub-tab can be opened from the Settings tab on the
Main Window. The Inverter arrives preconfigured in the local language.
This window displays the current Inverter values, and enables you to
configure various aspects of the Inverter that relate to the country in which
the SolarEdge site is installed. Several parameters can be viewed or
changed only by certified technicians or SolarEdge personnel.
Parameter Description
country’s local certification requirements. However, if you get proper
authorization from your local grid and code bodies, these parameters can
be changed to accommodate different grid parameters. After getting this
authorization, contact SolarEdge for instructions on how to change these
parameters.
[Apply] Click this button to upload the new Regional parameters to the Inverter.
After the Configuration Tool finishes uploading the parameters to the
Inverter, the Inverter automatically shuts down and restarts.
Table 17 shows the DSP1 parameters and their meanings. Note that these
parameters have a viewing access level and change access level.
Monitoring is the lowest level access.
Table 17: DSP1 Parameter Definitions
Parameter Meaning Write Viewing
Access
INVGRID_VOUT_MAX Maximum Grid Voltage – Technician Monitoring
transient (V)
INVGRID_VOUT_MIN Minimum Grid Voltage (V) Technician Monitoring
INVGRID_VOUT_MAX2 Maximum Grid Voltage – Technician Monitoring
steady state (V)
INVGRID_F_GRID_MAX Maximum Grid Frequency (Hz) Technician Monitoring
INVGRID_ F_GRID_MIN Minimum Grid Frequency (Hz) Technician Monitoring
Optimizers Data
The Optimizers Data tab comprises two sections:
Connected Optimizers Live Parameters – a table which displays
information about the Optimizers that are connected to the selected
Inverter
Data Control – buttons for performing operations on Optimizer
Records, Optimizer Data, and Telemetry Control
Configuring an Inverter
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Adding an Optimizer
You can manually add an optimizer to an Inverter. This may be necessary if
an optimizer has to be replaced. Clicking the Add Optimizer Data Control
button opens the following window.
Firmware Upgrade
The Firmware Upgrade sub-tab can be opened from the Tools
tab on the Main Window. It enables you to update the firmware
version of the CPU, DSP1, and/or DSP2.
Configuring an Inverter
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Miscellaneous
The Miscellaneous tab sub-tab is opened from the Tools tab on
the Main Window. It enables you to set the following:
Real-Time Clock (RTC) – Generating accurate reports such as daily
energy statistical reports, requires the Inverter real-time clock to be set
accurately. The Inverter real-time clock arrives set, and is automatically
updated by the server. However, if you do not have a server connection,
you may have to set the clock.
Power Balancing status – After installing a power balancer in the
Inverter according to its installation manual, you are required to enable
it.
Parameter/Button Description
Status Select one of the following options:
Enable – to enable Power Balancing.
Disable – to disable Power Balancing
[Set Status] Click this button to set the Power Balancing status.
Chapter 3
Setting Up Multiple
Inverters
Master/Slave Configuration
You can set up multiple Inverters at a single site in a Master/Slave
configuration, by connecting the Inverters to each other in an RS485 bus.
An RS485 bus of Inverters can consist of up to 30 Slave Inverters and one
Master Inverter. Inverters are connected to each other in a chain, meaning
that the first Inverter in the chain is connected to the next Inverter in the
chain via its RS485 connector. The first Inverter in the chain and the last
Inverter in the chain must be terminated, as shown below
Each Inverter shows its serial number. The Inverter List indicates the
Master Inverter by displaying an (M) next to its serial number.
Setting Up Multiple Inverters
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Reviewing Installation
Information
The Inverter List lists all the Inverters to which the Configuration Tool is
connected, as well as their serial numbers.
Selecting an Inverter in this list displays its information. You can review
each Inverter’s information in the Status tab, as described on page 17, and
in the Optimizers Data tab, as described on page 30.
Verifying the RS-232 COM Port
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Appendix A
Take note of the COM port that is displayed in the RS-232 Port branch. For
example, the screen above shows the COM25 port. The number of this
COM port must be specified by you later when you use the Configuration
Tool to connect to the Inverter, as described in the Defining COM Port to
Inverter section on page 10.
The example above shows the RS-232 Isolated Port branch, as an RS-
232/USB adapter is being used to connect the Inverter to the computer. The
RS-232/USB adaptor must be installed according to its manufacturer’s
specifications.
Verifying the RS-232 COM Port
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