The Fronius inverter can be connected to the internet with the help of a Fronius Data Manager. Using the IP address of the inverter, the production values of the PV system can be configured with the Energy Manager.
There are a couple of different ways how to connect the Fronius to the internet. The following steps are recommended by the Fronius Team.
Setting up the Data Manager Card
On the Data Manager-Card, you will find a small switch as indicated in picture number (1). It needs to be moved to a specific position to enable the card for an extraditable state. To configure a unit using the LAN settings, the switch must be set to position A.
Image Description: Two electronic boards are shown. The left board, labeled for Fronius Galvo, Symo, and Primo inverters, displays ports labeled LAN, MASTER, and SLAVE. The right board, for Fronius IG Plus, CL, and other models, also shows similar ports and a "SolarNet" label. A small diagram illustrates a switch (1) with OFF/ON positions and labels A/B for IP configuration.
Activating the WIFI Access Point
Activate the WIFI Access Point directly on the Fronius Inverter. Navigate to the SETUP menu, then select WiFi Access Point, and finally choose Activate WiFi AP?.
Image Description: Four screenshots show the inverter's display menu. The sequence progresses from the main menu to the 'SETUP' option, then to 'WiFi Access Point', and finally to the prompt 'Activate WiFi AP?'.
Configuring the System via Interface
Connect to the Access-Point with your laptop using the WIFI-password: 12345678.
Image Description: A screenshot of a laptop's WiFi connection screen shows available networks, including "FRONIUS_240.168289", with an arrow pointing to it, indicating it's the network to connect to.
Open a web browser and enter the Data Manager's IP address: 192.168.250.181.
Once the page has loaded, start the SOLAR.WEB Wizard. Note: The "Technician wizard" is only needed if you want to activate Dynamic feed-in reduction.
Image Description: A web browser displays a "Connection has timed out" error. Below this, a "Welcome to the Fronius setup wizard" screen presents two options: "SOLAR.WEB WIZARD" for system monitoring and app usage, and "TECHNICIAN WIZARD" for advanced settings, marked "For qualified persons only!".
System Monitoring Configuration
Enter a System Name, which will also serve as the host name. The Feed-in tariff and Grid supply tariff are mandatory fields used for local monitoring with the inverter.
In the "Inverter" section, it is mandatory to enter the device-name and the installed power.
Image Description: Two screenshots of the "System monitoring" interface are shown. The first, labeled "General", includes fields for System name, Yield, Feed-in tariff, Grid supply tariff, System time, and Time zone. The second, labeled "Inverter", displays fields for Device type, Device name, and PV[Wp] (installed power).
Network Setup Options
In the "Network setup" section, you can choose between three different connection modes:
- a) Local Network via Access-Point: This mode is for direct connection from your device when no internet is available.
- b) WIFI: Using the client's WIFI connection.
- c) LAN: Using a direct LAN cable connection.
Recommendation: Deselect Fronius Solar.web to avoid being prompted to create a SOLAR.WEB account later.
Image Description: A screenshot of the "System monitoring" interface, "Network setup" tab. It shows connection modes with icons representing local network, Wi-Fi, and LAN. The WLAN Settings are displayed, listing available networks. A blue arrow points to the "Configure WLAN IP" button.
Configuring WLAN IP
Pressing the "Configure WLAN IP" button allows you to choose between static or dynamic IP settings.
Image Description: Two identical screenshots of the "Configure WLAN IP" dialog box are shown. This dialog allows users to select between "static" and "dynamic" IP addresses and input Host name, IP-Address, Subnet-mask, Gateway, and DNS-Server details.
Note: Using Solar.web via LAN allows direct selection between static or dynamic IP.
Press "Connect" to connect the Data Manager to the network.
Image Description: A screenshot of the "System monitoring" interface, "Network setup" tab, with "Solar.web via LAN" selected, showing LAN settings. Another pop-up window titled "Network setup" prompts to "Reconfigure network..".
Connection Status and Troubleshooting
Once the connection is successful, the following screen will appear. You will then need to connect to the customer's WIFI network again to find the IP address of the Fronius unit.
Image Description: A screenshot of the "System monitoring" interface, "Network status" tab. It displays "System monitoring WLAN" details including IP-Address (192.168.2.105), Network mask, MAC address, and SSID (WLAN-608374), along with Internet status (available: Yes, Name server, Gateway). An information icon precedes a message instructing the user to change their network to continue the setup wizard, providing the link http://192.168.2.105.
Troubleshooting if connection fails:
- Check if the WIFI Access-Point of the inverter has deactivated automatically. If not, follow the procedures to deactivate it.
- Verify the switch on the data manager-card is set to position B.
- The inverter might already be connected to the network without explicit indication. Search for the inverter's IP address.
Once connected to the customer network, enter the Data Manager settings of the Fronius inverter using the IP 192.168.250.181. You will then be in the "Network status" section of the Solar.web wizard.
Image Description: A screenshot of the "System monitoring" interface, "Network status" tab, confirming network configuration. Another screenshot shows the "Passwords" tab with fields for User name, Old password, Password, and Repeat password. A note indicates that forgetting the password requires contacting Fronius for a new one.
Finalizing Setup
Complete the setup by entering a password. Remember that if you forget the password, you will need to contact Fronius to obtain a new one.
Once the setup is complete, click on "Homepage" to be forwarded to the local configuration page.
Image Description: A "Congratulations!" screen indicates that the Fronius system monitoring setup is finished successfully. Options are provided to "Monitor system with Fronius Solar.web" and "To Homepage".
Note: If the "Send data to the Fronius Solar.web" option was not deselected, a login or registration screen for Solar.web will appear. This can be bypassed by entering the IP address in the browser's address bar.
Image Description: A "Fronius Solar.web account" screen is displayed, offering options to log in if an account exists or register for a new one.
Modbus Configuration
Once the setup is complete, the following screen will appear. The Modbus can be changed to TCP in this menu.
- Go to
Settings. - Select
Modbus. - Turn on
TCPand clickSave.
Image Description: Two screenshots are shown. The first displays the "System overview" with real-time data, daily and yearly energy yield, and system yield. The second shows the "Settings" tab with the "Modbus" section. Options include "Data export via Modbus", "Modbus port", "Sunspec Model Type", and "Controlling priority". A red checkmark is visible next to the "TCP" option, indicating it is selected.
Adding Inverter to Energy Manager
To add the inverter to the Energy Manager, follow these steps within the EnergyManager interface:
- Navigate to
Settings. - Select
Interfaces/Drivers. - Choose
Ethernet. - Select
Activate SunSpec [Fronius]. - Go to
Settingsagain. - Enter the Fronius IP address.
- Navigate to
Devices. - Press
+to install the inverter to the manager.
Image Description: A screenshot of the Energy Manager interface shows the path Settings > Interfaces > Drivers for Ethernet. A device named "pv-kage.fritz.box" is listed with its IP address field and an "Add" button. Status indicators for "Device reports error" and "Connection error" are also visible.
Note: The Fronius inverter shuts down nightly after PV production stops, including the Data Manager. To reconnect, the Energy Manager searches for the same host-name forwarded by the router. Some routers do not forward host names, only showing the IP address. In such cases, the Energy Manager may not reconnect if the IP changes. Assigning a static IP to the inverter resolves this issue.
