Inverter Accessories
Here you will find the accessories that connect an inverter to the internet, the electricity meter and the rest of the system. Without these components, the PV system will still operate, but yield and faults will not be visible, and storage or feed-in limitation cannot be controlled. The range includes 23 items from Growatt, EcoFlow, Fronius, Huawei, Solplanet, SAJ, Anker and BRC Solar.
Communication: Wi-Fi, LAN, radio and mobile networks
The majority of these are data loggers from Growatt. The ShineWiFi-X, the ShineWiFi-F and the ShineWilan-X2 connect the inverter to the manufacturer’s portal via Wi-Fi. The Shine GPRS-F, on the other hand, uses mobile networks. The ShineLink variants and the ShineRF Stick-X with ShineLanBox transmit via radio (RF433), whilst the Shine WeLink operates using both radio and Wi-Fi. For systems featuring the Growatt MID XH, there is the ShineMaster-X 4G, which, according to the manufacturer, monitors up to 124 Growatt inverters. EcoFlow offers a 4G dongle, whilst Fronius provides the Data Manager 2.0 with Wi-Fi.
Which dongle corresponds to which inverter is indicated on the device itself and in the data sheet. The components use their manufacturer’s proprietary protocol and cannot be interchanged between brands.
Measurement and control
For battery charging, feed-in limitation and surplus charging, the inverter requires data on consumption at the domestic connection point. This is provided by current sensors and meters: the Huawei Smart Power Sensor DDSU666-H for single-phase connections and DTSU666-H for three-phase connections, as well as the current transformer ESCT-T36 from Solplanet. According to the product description, the EcoFlow PowerInsight Home Energy Monitor shows where the electricity is flowing within the house. Further meters can be found under Smart Meter.
The control centre comprises the SAJ eManager for the SAJ-eleX- system – which can be expanded to include the eManager-Promate with 4G – and the Anker SOLIX Power Dock. According to the manufacturer, the Power Dock connects up to four SOLIX storage modules. The BRC Solar BRConnect gateway reads data from BRC optimisers via the existing DC cable.
Connection, backup power and retrofitting
For Fronius GEN24, there is a DC connector kit and the 1PN/3PN backup power switch with a 63 A rating for backup power operation. The Solplanet ASW1000-CB-HB is a combination box which, according to the manufacturer, allows up to four high-voltage battery towers to be connected in parallel. The EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit converter connects a storage system to an existing installation without replacing the existing inverter.
The inverters themselves are listed under Inverters, whilst the batteries are listed under Storage for inverters.
Frequently asked questions about inverter accessories
Do I need a Wi-Fi dongle for my inverter?
If you want to view energy yield and notifications in the app and the device does not have its own network interface, then yes. With Growatt, the dongle is a separate component that is plugged into the inverter.
Why do I need a current sensor on the domestic connection?
The inverter needs to know how much electricity the house is currently drawing or feeding into the grid. Only then can it charge a storage unit in a targeted manner, limit the grid feed-in, or supply a wallbox with surplus electricity.
How long is the warranty on the accessories?
Two years for most parts, and three years for SAJ devices. The EcoFlow PowerInsight, the PowerOcean DC Fit converter and the Anker SOLIX Power Dock all come with a ten-year warranty.