With a Speedwire-enabled inverter from SMA, all you need for access to key PV plant data is to connect an Ethernet cable from your computer to the inverter and start Sunny Explorer. In this Tech Tip video, the Solar Academy walks you through a basic overview of Sunny Explorer, including how to use this free software for fast and efficient system commissioning and parameter changes.
Have a question for the Solar Academy trainers? Send it to SocialMedia@SMA-America.com and we might just answer your question in our next Tech Tip!
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Justin Dyke
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Social Media Specialist
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Company and industry news, videos and events through our social media channels. Topics include solar technology, photovoltaics and renewable energy.
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Kevin
07/10/2016 at 9:56 am
I tried the tip given by Mr Mahon on the Sunny Explorer software. Got through SMA America and went to “Products.” The only items available for download were users manuals. Here’s the link to where my confusion is.
http://www.sma-america.com/products/monitoring-control/sunny-portal.html#Downloads-136204
Also, suggest the tech not go so quickly through this phase of the training. If you can’t get the sw, the rest of the video is interesting, but useless. — Kevin
Justin Dyke
07/14/2016 at 5:52 pm
Hi Kevin –
Thank you for the constructive feedback. We will take that into consideration for future posts.
I think the confusion with the downloads may be with the link that you provided, which is for the Sunny Portal. The Sunny Explorer download is available on the Sunny Explorer product page located here: http://www.sma-america.com/products/monitoring-control/sunny-explorer.html#Downloads-136148.
Best,
Justin
Marc Fontana
07/22/2016 at 11:07 am
Does Sunny Explorer work with the newer SB 5.0-US and 6.0-US Inverters? These new inverters have integrated WiFi and I believe are accessible directly through a browser using a WiFi enabled mobile device.
Justin Dyke
07/26/2016 at 4:08 pm
Hi Marc,
Thank you, that’s a good question. Sunny Explorer does not support the configuration of inverters with their own user interface. The inverter can be detected via Sunny Explorer, however it is expressly not recommended to use Sunny Explorer to configure the Sunny Boy US-40 series. This new line of inverters has a built-in interface that can be accessed directly through a browser using a wireless or wired connection. This process is outlined starting on page 19 of the user manual. We hope you enjoy this improved user interface that doesn’t limit you to a laptop running Windows software.
Best,
Justin
John
09/09/2016 at 10:17 am
I have a basic TL4000US residential inverter installed. What do I need to add to it to make the Sunny Explorer work? Also, what is needed to send that data to my local network router so I can view data remotely?
Justin Dyke
09/09/2016 at 3:08 pm
Hi John,
Those are great questions. I have shared your information with the Service Line department and a team member should be in contact soon.
Best,
Justin
Roger Brealey
10/23/2016 at 7:28 pm
Hi, until a few weeks ago I had been running Sunny Explorer successfully on Windows 10 PC.
I had originally installed SE on a Windows 7 PC, and did the free upgrade to Windows 10.
In the past few weeks a significant update to windows 10 has occurred causing many if not all Bluetooth
installations to crash. I have read that SE is not compatible with windows 10. Surely if SMA says that they are world No1, then the rectification or urgent development of the Windows 10 version of SE should be undertaken.
I am using Toshiba Bluetooth Stack to drive the B/Tooth and SE version 1.07.27. I think i had originally installed 1.07.23 on Windows 7 and working on 10. I downloaded 1.07.27 in the hope that the issue would be resolved.
PLEASE ADVISE SITUATION, RE WINDOWS 10 SUPPORT
Jessica
11/03/2016 at 10:32 am
Hi Roger, thanks for your question. A member of our service team will reach out to you to answer your questions.
F.principaal
04/25/2017 at 4:31 am
Hi all,
I’ve got the same problem accessing my 4000tl21 with sunny explorer using speedwire on my new W10 laptop.
I recently had to say goodby to my Dell D630 running W7 because it died after years of good service.
I hope SMA understands that for a plant-owner up to date monitoring is like icing on a cake, this is why I shoose for SMA initially.
So please create a solution that works for Windows 10 as well.
Mike
06/06/2017 at 11:45 am
Thank you for this feedback. Have you tried reaching out to our Service Line? If not, we recommend connecting with them at 1-877-697-6283 as they may be able to assist. They have heard from installers that are able to run Sunny Explorer successfully on Windows 10.