If you have recently had solar panels and a Solis inverter installed, you’ll probably be checking the SolisCloud app regularly to see how your new solar PV system is performing.
With the SolisCloud app, you’ll have access to data such as:
- Solar energy production
- Household energy consumption
- Battery charge levels
- Grid import and export
- Historical system performance
The data available on the SolisCloud app is second to none, which is one of many reasons why First Class Solar recommends Solis inverters for our customers across Northern Ireland. However, like any device that relies on a WiFi connection, your inverter can occasionally lose connection to your network.
If your inverter is showing as offline in the SolisCloud app, don’t panic. In most cases, your solar panels and inverter will still be working normally.
In this guide, we’ll explain why your Solis inverter might lose its WiFi connection, how to reconnect your inverter to WiFi, how to check your WiFi signal strength and what you can do to improve connectivity.
Why is my Solis inverter showing as offline on the SolisCloud app?
There are several reasons why your solar PV system may lose its WiFi connection:
- You changed your WiFi provider
- You changed your WiFi password
- Your router has lost its internet connection
- The inverter is too far away from the router
- Thick walls or other obstructions are weakening the WIFi signal
- There has been a power cut and your WiFi connection has dropped
- Your router has been switched off or unplugged
Does an offline Solis inverter mean my solar panels aren’t working?
No. Your Solis inverter being offline on SolisCloud does not necessarily mean your solar PV system has stopped working.
The WiFi connection is primarily used to send information from your inverter to the SolisCloud monitoring platform. Your solar panels don’t need an internet connection to generate electricity.
If you’re concerned that your system isn’t producing energy, you can check the display on your Solis inverter itself. Depending on your inverter model, the screen will show information about the electricity being generated by your solar panels and the power being used by your home.
Think of it like your phone losing its WiFi connection. Your phone can still take photos and make calls; it simply isn’t connected to the internet. Similarly, your solar PV system can continue operating even if the inverter temporarily loses its WiFi connection.
How do I re-connect my Solis inverter to WiFi?
If you’ve changed your WiFi network or your Solis inverter has lost its WiFi connection, you may need to reconnect the datalogger to your home network.
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- Your WiFi password
- Your mobile phone
- The SolisCloud app installed
- Access to your inverter
- Your phone close to the inverter
There are several ways to configure a Solis datalogger. The following is the method that First Class Solar finds easiest for compatible dataloggers.
Step 1: Reset the Solis datalogger
Hold the reset button on the back of the datalogger for approximately 15 seconds.
The datalogger is the small device attached to the bottom of your inverter and will usually have “Solis” printed on it.
Important: Take care not to twist, pull or move the datalogger while pressing the reset button, as this could damage the connection. Hold the datalogger securely and press the reset button firmly.
The three indicator lights should begin flashing. Continue holding the reset button for the required reset period.
Step 2: Connect your phone to the Solis datalogger
Go to the WiFi settings on your mobile phone and look for the Solis datalogger network.
The network name will usually begin with “Solis” or “D” followed by a series of numbers.
It can sometimes take a minute or two for the network to appear. If you can’t see it immediately, refresh your phone’s available WiFi networks.
When prompted for a password, the password for compatible dataloggers is: 123456789.
Step 3: Open the Solis configuration page
Once your phone is connected to the datalogger, open your internet browser and enter: 10.10.100.254
This should take you to the Solis datalogger configuration page. You will then be asked for an administrator username and password.
The username is: admin.
Depending on your datalogger, the password may be: Solis1 or 123456789.
Step 4: Select your home WiFi network
Once you’ve logged into the Solis configuration page, select Quick Set.
You should then be able to select your home WiFi network from the available networks.
Enter your current WiFi password and select Save.
Your Solis datalogger should then attempt to connect to your home WiFi network.
Please note: Solis has several different datalogger and inverter models, so the exact process can vary. Always check the instructions for your specific model before changing any settings.
For further guidance, we recommend using the official Solis support information:
Please note: Some newer Solis S6 inverters use different dataloggers, including versions with a USB connection rather than the older twisting connection.
If you have an S6 inverter, make sure you’re following the instructions for your specific inverter and datalogger. If you’re unsure which version you have, check the relevant information on the Solis website or contact First Class Solar or your solar installer.
How can I check the WiFi signal strength at my Solis inverter?
A strong WiFi signal is important if you want your Solis inverter to maintain a reliable connection to SolisCloud.
Before your solar PV system is installed
If you’re considering solar panels and want to check the WiFi signal where your inverter will be installed, you can test the area using your mobile phone.
Turn off your mobile data, connect your phone to your home’s WiFi network and stand in the location where your inverter is likely to be installed.
If the WiFi signal is weak in this area, you may need to consider moving your router or using a WiFi booster or mesh system to improve coverage.
This can be particularly useful in homes where the inverter is located a significant distance from the router or where thick walls and other obstructions can interfere with the signal.
If your Solis inverter is already installed
You can check the strength of the WiFi connection through the SolisCloud app.
In the app:
- Select your Plant.
- Select Device.
- Select Datalogger.
- Look for the RSSI reading.
RSSI stands for Received Signal Strength Indicator and provides an indication of how strong the WiFi signal is at your datalogger.
Ideally, your signal should be above the grey line shown in the SolisCloud app. In the example below, this is approximately 40%.
A low RSSI reading indicates that your inverter is receiving a weak WiFi signal, which can cause the connection to SolisCloud to drop in and out.
It’s important to remember that a poor WiFi signal doesn’t necessarily mean your solar panels aren’t generating electricity. It means that the connection between your inverter’s datalogger and your WiFi network isn’t reliable enough to consistently send data to SolisCloud.
How can I improve the WiFi signal at my Solis inverter?
If your Solis inverter has a weak WiFi connection, there are a few things you can try.
Move your router
If possible, moving your router closer to your inverter can improve the signal.
However, this isn’t always practical, particularly if your router is positioned in a specific part of the house.
Install a WiFi booster
A WiFi booster or extender can help improve coverage in areas where your router’s signal is weak.
Ideally, position the booster somewhere between your router and inverter where it can still receive a strong signal from the router while providing better coverage to the inverter.
You can then check the RSSI reading in SolisCloud again to see whether the signal strength has improved.
The example above shows the same system after the customer installed a WiFi booster closer to the inverter.
The improvement in the RSSI reading demonstrates how improving the WiFi signal around the inverter can help provide a more reliable connection to SolisCloud.
Need help with your solar PV system in Northern Ireland?
If your Solis inverter keeps disconnecting from WiFi, checking the connection and RSSI signal strength is a good place to start.
Remember that an inverter appearing offline on SolisCloud doesn’t automatically mean your solar panels have stopped working. In many cases, the issue is simply the WiFi connection between your router and the inverter’s datalogger.
If you’re considering solar panels in Northern Ireland, choosing the right system and having it professionally installed can make a significant difference to your experience after installation.
At First Class Solar, we install solar PV and battery storage systems for homes and businesses across Northern Ireland. If you’re considering solar panels or need advice about your existing system, get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements.
Give us a call on 02896 005042 or email info@firstclasssolar.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.