Rack-A-Tiers sent me their new PV connector tool, the Solar Serpent. Here’s how it works, and what I think.
You can get your own Solar Serpent here with my affiliate link: https://solarboi.com/serpent/
here for the sunshine shenanigans
Category: video
This one’s been a long time coming. But maybe we can FINALLY ditch module level power electronics in standard solar installations!
If you missed the news, here’s Ironridge’s press release about getting their flush mount racking and Tesla equipment listed with UL 3741.
Ever had an issue with SMA inverters losing their serial number? Here’s how to fix it!
This is an example of this happening to me recently, and I’ll give some more details below the video, if you’re struggling with this same issue.
I’ve only ever seen this happen on the first iteration of the Core 1 inverter, the -40 model. The symptom is a wifi signal from the inverter that’s showing a “0900” number in the SSID. For instance, in a normal SSID, I’d expect to see the name be “SMA3000XXXXXX”— basically, “SMA”, plus the serial number visible on the exterior inverter label. But when the inverter loses its serial, it makes up a completely different serial for itself, usually starting in “0900”. In my case, I was seeing “SMA0900022963”.
This issue can cause problems with communication and general administration of the device, so it should be fixed, if possible. However, I’ve never seen this issue be responsible for lost power, so it’s a low-level problem, in the grand scheme of things.
The fix for this can only be accomplished through Level 2 of SMA’s tech support (call +1 (877) 697-6283). Level 1 will get your information, tell you your case number, and send you to Level 2.
Level 2 will need to screen-share with your laptop (Windows only), while your laptop is on the same network with the inverters themselves. You need to visit the login page of the inverter, but instead of the ending url being “login” (i.e. “https://<IP-Address-of-inverter>/#/login”), it needs to be “loginadvanced” (i.e. “https://<IP-Address-of-inverter>/#/loginadvanced”).
From there, to log into the “Service” user group, SMA’s tech will need to generate a password from that serial number you saw in the WiFi SSID earlier. In my case, “900022963”. There’s often a lot of confusion from the technician at this part. They’ll be fine, they’ll figure it out eventually. Last I knew, their password generates from the “serial number”, WITHOUT any zeros at the beginning.
Once the Service user group has been logged into, the only thing that needs done is typing in the correct serial number in Parameters->Type Label->Type Label->Serial Number.
Easy peasy, but you’re heavily reliant on that password from SMA for this fix.
You never know what you’re gonna get when it comes to farms, solar, and networking 😅
Fluke announced the acquisition of Solmetric at RE+ 2023, and I was able to ask them a few questions about what things will look like going forward.
Sounds like in addition to their residential roof junction boxes, they have some commercial products coming down the line, too!
This breaker was the bane of my existence for months. Clearly, I just didn’t look closely enough.
Don’t have a reason for it yet, but we’ve got a path forward!
Otherwise them angry pixies in the wires’ll getcha