Ethernet vs WiFi: Optimising Your Sungrow Inverter Setup
Why Choose Ethernet (LAN) over WiFi?
LAN (Local Area Network) connections using Ethernet cables provide a direct, physical link between devices and your router, unlike WiFi, which transmits data wirelessly. While WiFi is convenient, it is inherently more prone to signal drops, interference, and requires significantly more processing power to manage connections, affecting reliability and performance.
Ethernet ensures:
More stable connections: significantly fewer dropouts compared to WiFi.
Reduced CPU usage: freeing resources on your devices, improving responsiveness.
Consistent data flow: critical for real-time data monitoring and energy management.
How the Powston Controller Works with Your Sungrow Inverter
The Powston Controller (Ethernet model) plugs directly into your LAN via an Ethernet cable. From here, it communicates locally with the Sungrow inverter’s dongle through Modbus TCP—a reliable and widely-used communication protocol in energy management.
Key points:
Keep your Sungrow Dongle Installed: The Sungrow dongle plays a crucial role beyond simply broadcasting data over WiFi. It ensures your inverter receives continuous firmware updates from Sungrow. Recent updates have fixed critical issues, including battery rebalancing.
LAN-based connectivity for Sungrow Dongle: Connecting the Sungrow dongle via Ethernet significantly enhances its stability and data transmission quality. WiFi might seem stable due to buffering and delayed uploads, but in reality, it often disconnects intermittently without users noticing.
Connecting via Ethernet: A Simple Guide
Do NOT remove the Sungrow dongle. Instead, use the Ethernet port beneath the dongle cap on your inverter.
Configure the Sungrow dongle for Ethernet connectivity (guide linked below).
Plug the Powston controller into your router or switch via Ethernet.
Common Questions Answered Clearly
"Do I leave the Sungrow dongle in?" Yes, leave it installed for important firmware updates and stable Modbus TCP communication.
"Do I shut down WiFi on the dongle?" Yes, it's best to configure the Sungrow dongle to disable WiFi and exclusively use Ethernet for optimal performance.
"Does the Powston dongle connect directly to the inverter?" No, the Powston controller connects to your LAN (router or switch), and then communicates via Ethernet to the Sungrow dongle already attached to your inverter.
"What does the SG dongle actually do?" The Sungrow dongle manages Modbus communication, firmware updates, and ensures your inverter operates efficiently. Ethernet connectivity is crucial for reliable updates.
Quick Ethernet Setup Guide
A straightforward step-by-step configuration guide for setting up your Sungrow dongle with Ethernet is available here: Sungrow Dongle Ethernet Configuration Guide
Using Ethernet ensures you're always online, receiving critical updates, and optimizing your inverter's performance and reliability.