Two in One: New Generation of the Sunny Home Manager

The new Sunny Home Manager 2.0 will be available in April 2017. Just like the term Web 2.0, the extension 2.0 does not describe a radically new type of technology or application. Instead, it describes the modified and extended use of the product. Here, you can learn why the Sunny Home Manager now looks like the SMA Energy Meter and what this means for the PV system.

 

Why is there a new Sunny Home Manager?

We want to make our share in solar power as simple and cost-effective as possible for everybody to ensure that intelligent energy management of solar power is actually suitable for household use. We are thus combining the intelligent energy management of the previous Sunny Home Manager and the power measurement of the SMA Energy Meter in the new device. PV systems therefore require one less component. This makes installation easier and is also more cost-effective than the Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth and SMA Energy Meter devices together.

 

What else is new about Sunny Home Manager 2.0?

With the Sunny Home Manager 2.0, we are introducing a new generation. SMA is replacing Bluetooth communication with WLAN/Ethernet technology. WLAN/Ethernet is a universal standard and the radio-controlled sockets with WLAN technology are significantly more cost-effective than radio-controlled sockets with Bluetooth. This means that more cost-effective, standard components can be used, such as the WLAN radio-controlled socket SP-2101W from Edimax for load control and power measurement. Expensive special components no longer have to be integrated, as a range of standard components can be used, for example, for WLAN range extension and Ethernet switch technology.

 

How does the new Sunny Home Manager 2.0 affect new installations?

All options are available for new systems. The Sunny Home Manager 2.0 communicates with SMA inverters, intelligent appliances and the Internet using the local router via a WLAN or Ethernet connection. The Edimax SP-2101W radio-controlled socket can be used to control simple appliances. Intelligent household appliances with SEMP and EEBUS protocols communicate directly with the Sunny Home Manager 2.0 via their Ethernet/WLAN connection.

fss_prinzip_flyer_en_v1_030902

 

What will happen to my existing PV system with the Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth technology?

You can continue to operate PV systems with the Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth without any problems. The Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth will of course receive further updates in the course of product enhancement activities, even if the focus of functional developments is on the new generation. The following are some examples of product enhancement activities:

  • Security-relevant updates
  • Approval- and market-relevant updates if they are classified as relevant for existing systems
  • Troubleshooting in the case of bugs discovered retrospectively to ensure the functionality of the implemented functions
  • Incorporation of new inverters if they are of benefit for expanding existing systems

 

Can I replace my Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth with Sunny Home Manager 2.0?

This will not be a problem if there are no Bluetooth components, Plugwise components or Miele devices in your system and if no existing S0/D0 meters are used.

The Sunny Home Manager 2.0 records the power at the grid-connection point using the integrated measuring device. Any SMA inverters in the system, which are currently connected to the Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth via Bluetooth, can already communicate via Ethernet/Speedwire (depending on the inverter type, an extension with a Speedwire data module may be necessary). The inverters can then be connected to the router via Ethernet/Speedwire using an extended cable. Unfortunately, any existing SMA Bluetooth radio-controlled sockets are not recognized by the Sunny Home Manager 2.0 and must be replaced with Edimax SP-2101W WLAN radio-controlled sockets.

 

Can I continue using my existing Bluetooth radio-controlled sockets?

Yes, this is still possible with the Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth.

However, the Sunny Home Manager 2.0 no longer supports Bluetooth. The Edimax SP-2101W WLAN radio-controlled sockets are integrated into the energy management system via the local router.

sh_stp_sbs_lg-battery_shm2-0

 

Why does the SHM 2.0 look like the SMA Energy Meter and not like the Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth?

In every case, intelligent energy management requires both purchased electricity and feed-in power measurements. Over the past few years, most new PV systems have already been equipped with the SMA Energy Meter to function as a measuring device at the grid-connection point. We therefore decided to directly integrate the algorithms for intelligent energy management into a specially extended hardware platform based on the SMA Energy Meter. This resulted in the Sunny Home Manager 2.0 combined device, which combines intelligent energy management and the required power measurement.

 

Can the functions of the Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth be installed on the SMA Energy Meter?

No, this is unfortunately not possible. The Sunny Home Manager 2.0 has special firmware. The initial release version of this firmware is specifically programmed for the device. Despite the fact that the Sunny Home Manager 2.0 and the SMA Energy Meter have almost identical enclosures, they are two distinct products, which must be ordered, using different order numbers and prices.

As the firmware for intelligent energy management offers the user considerable savings and, naturally, it costs money to develop and maintain the software, the Sunny Home Manager 2.0 combined device is slightly more expensive than the SMA Energy Meter. Even in the event of a complete reset and/or release updates from SMA, the respective purchased device always retains its basic function:

  • The Sunny Home Manager 2.0 is and remains the control center of the intelligent energy management system
  • The SMA Energy Meter is and remains a measuring device for power values in three-phase utility grids

 

When should I update my existing system with SHM 2.0?

If your existing system runs well with the Sunny Home Manager and if you do not require any new functions, an update is not necessary. However, in the future, the Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth will only receive safety-relevant updates.

In the coming years, SMA will introduce a range of enhancements related to energy management, which will then be offered and distributed via updates for the Sunny Home Manager 2.0. If this entails a significant enhancement, it might make sense to update your system. Please note that the Sunny Home Manager 2.0 does not support Bluetooth, S0/D0 meters, Plugwise products or Miele control units. If the system to be updated includes these components, other modifications and potentially new components will be required. In this case, please contact your installer.

 

Production of the Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth will be discontinued in April 2017. What happens if my Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth fails?

If the system does not include Bluetooth, S0/D0 meters, Plugwise products or a Miele control unit, the new Sunny Home Manager 2.0 can be installed. Otherwise, if your system is under warranty, SMA may install a replacement Sunny Home Manager Bluetooth device.

 

Any questions?

Please check our product page for more information. If you have any more questions about your existing system with the Sunny Home Manager, please use the comments function. OR collect the questions, which Martin will answer in a separate blog.

 

 

This article was published in 2017. As we are constantly developing our solutions, there may be newer or additional options for the tips and techniques in this article.

40 Comments
  1. Scott
    Scott says:

    I have a sunny island – 11 that is controlled via the Sunny remote control.
    Can I replace the remote control with a home manager to get the island on to the sunny portal?

    if not, is there a another way to get that model of inverter onto the sunny portal?

    Reply
  2. Eddie
    Eddie says:

    Can the SMC 8000tl communicate to the SHM 2.0 vi speedwire since the bluetooth piggyback cannot be used in this installation?
    Is there a piggyback for speedwire installation on this SMC 8000tl?

    Reply
  3. Paulo Ferreira
    Paulo Ferreira says:

    In a solar system i want to connect the inverter and the SHM 2.0
    I have Internet on both places, but they don’t share the same LAN(since they are 300 meters apart from each other)
    Is there a way to connect them via VPN or SMA portal, so they can comunicate even not being on the same physical LAN? Thanks.

    Reply
  4. J.Coll
    J.Coll says:

    I wonder if instead to connect SHM 2.0 to router through RJ45, I can directly connect to the inverter Tripower 5. Are all functions available this way?

    The inverter would have internet access trough WLAN WiFi, though.

    WLAN is not allways on in my house. Specially on holidays is off. So, I think this way Inverter and SHM 2.0 would be able to communicate to each other without internet and inject zero to grid. Am I right ?

    Thank you,

    Reply
    • Carolyn Schlosser
      Carolyn Schlosser says:

      Hi,

      Due to the fact that the Home Manager has no integrated User Interface and can only be configured and monitored via Sunny Portal a direct connection to the Internet is necessary. Therefore the Home Manager must be connected to a router which have access to the Internet. If only the inverter has Internet access via Webconnect doesn’t work in combination with the Home Manager. Once the Home Manager is configured the zero-export functions works even though the Internet connection will be interrupted for some time.

      Sunny regards,
      Carolyn

      Reply
      • J.C.
        J.C. says:

        I already have my plant working but communication between SunnyPortal and my Home Manager 2.0 is not so reliable with multiple on and offs on real time monitoring.

        Sometimes the SPortal, IOS App does not show any mesurement while the SunnyPortal on the desktop computer is working great. Sometimes the App works and show actual consume numbers and sometimes seems it works but give no numbers…

        The Home Manager is connected directly to the router on my local network. Tripower inverter through WLAN.
        I’ve been told by a local technitian that the routers work on dynamic IPs and I should use a SWITCH with a fixed IP to solve communication problems.

        Is this true ?

  5. Saad
    Saad says:

    Hey Guys,
    Quick Question:

    – Where in areas the distributor would limit the export to 0 or 3 kWs and the homeowner has two (SMA SB 5.0-1AV-41) inverters do we need to have Sunny Home Manager 2.0 to limit export and to allow communication between the two inverters?

    – If the homeowner has no restriction on export from the distributor can the the two SMA 5kW inverters be able to communicate with each other or to achieve this communication would we need the Sunny Home Manager 2.0? if we were not using the SHM 2.0 can we just register both inverters individually on sunny portal?

    awaiting to hear your answers.

    Thanks guys.

    Reply
  6. Hannes
    Hannes says:

    Hi ide like to use the WLAN sockets in a system with a grid connected sunny island to supply the net power of 6 specific loads only from 5pm to 8pm in the evening.
    Do the sockets have to functionality to measure the consumption of each point and release power from the batteries accordingly via the Sunny Island?

    Reply
    • Carolyn Schlosser
      Carolyn Schlosser says:

      Hi Hannes,

      It is only possible to connect one additional Energy Meter with the Home Manager 2.0 and this meter can only be configured for PV production. Only the Data Manager M is able to handle several meter (Energy Meter or Modbus Meter) to measure different devices/loads.

      Sunny regards,
      Carolyn

      Reply
  7. Jake
    Jake says:

    May I ask, if the zero export function of SHM2.0 will work only when the system is online? what if the system go offline, it will use fallback settings? and same question with the previous sunny home manager.

    thank you

    Reply
    • Anke Baars
      Anke Baars says:

      Hi Jake,
      I assume that you mean in case the internet is down? When the configuration with Sunny Home Manager and the inverter is completed and the devices communicate via network, the zero export function will also work without internet access.
      You can also find information about zero export function in our SMA download area > manufactorers declaration.
      Kind regards,
      Anke

      Reply
  8. Shaun
    Shaun says:

    For retrofitting smart metering and connectivity to the Sunny Portal to older bluetooth inverters (in particular the SB 3000HF-30), can a Home Manager 2.0 and Home Manager 1.0 Bluetooth be used in parallel (rather than a HM-BT-10 and a EM-20 Energy Meter), for future proofing the installation?

    Reply
  9. Chabane
    Chabane says:

    Can I use the SMA Home Manager 2.0 on a Single Phase with utility meter fitted with 100A fuse?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Rhea Terlinden
      Rhea Terlinden says:

      Hello Chabane,
      the Sunny Home Manager was designed to measure three phase grids.
      It is possible to run it on single phase (230V with neutral) and also in application >63A with additional current transformers.

      Please refer to the operating manual (page 28) for further information:
      http://files.sma.de/dl/29870/HM-20-BE-en-11.pdf

      Best Regards,
      Rhea

      Reply
      • sajal aggarwal
        sajal aggarwal says:

        Hi rhea , we have been struggling since a week but no matter what the SHM 2.0 always reads purchased electricity as zero . We are using external current transformers

  10. Andy Baird
    Andy Baird says:

    Hi – thanks for the article. We have a customer using a 3600TL-21 who exports approx. 50% of solar electricity (aprox. 1,600kWh pa), and would like to control 1.2kW Herschel infrared heating panels on a dedicated circuit. An immersion divert unit won’t work, the heater panels need to switch on whenever 1.2kW of surplus electricity is available, rather than receive a variable load less than 1.2kW

    Does SHM2.0 provide this function, and is it available in the UK?

    Thanks, Andy

    Reply
    • Tobias Fricke
      Tobias Fricke says:

      Hey Andy,

      The Sunny Home Manager 2 can indeed provide this function and is currently available in the U.K!

      When loads are controlled by Sunny Home Manager, they can optionally be switched on whenever there is enough PV energy or whenever the actual energy costs fall below the configured maximum threshold. The load can also be switched off quickly if the initial switch on condition is no longer met, for instance if there is a cloud overhead and there is a sudden change in production.

      If you would like to see an application of this functionality working on a non-programmable load, see here on our website.

      Kind regards
      Tobi

      Reply
    • Carolin Rost
      Carolin Rost says:

      Hello David,
      Unfortunately, the Sunny Home Manager 2 is not currently available in the US.
      Kind regards,
      Carolin

      Reply
      • Lori
        Lori says:

        Is there a projected date on when this may be available in the U.S.? Also, what is the estimated cost for this product?

        Thank you very much 🙂

      • Tobias
        Tobias says:

        Hey Bob,

        Unfortunately there are no new plans for the Sunny Home Manager2 to introduce in the US market.

        Kind regards, Tobi

  11. Alun
    Alun says:

    I need a solution that has the facility to have prioritised load distribution to 4 x 3kw immersion heaters. i.e. I need it to send whatever spare generated power there is, even if its just .3kw to the prioritised immersion heaters rather than waiting for there to be the full 3kw spare to turn them on.
    Also, does it have any API or feeback functionality to allow more controlled interaction with data by geeks?

    Reply
    • Carolin Rost
      Carolin Rost says:

      Hello Matthew,
      I forwarded you request and my colleagues will contact you.
      Kind regards, Carolin

      Reply
      • Annika Linke
        Annika Linke says:

        Hi Luke,
        yes, the Sunny Home Manager 2.0 is also available in Australia. Please contact your installer for further information.
        Thanks & kind regards, Annika

  12. Berdy
    Berdy says:

    Hi,
    Is this (sunny home 2.0) a mandatory unit (as a power meter) to monitor the energy use in a grid-tie system? Can I have a rather simple information of the power use without using the SunnyHome, but just from Sunny Portal? As per diagram above, the utility meter for billing purpose will be provided by the utility company. Thank you.
    Rgds,
    Berdy.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Rößler
      Jennifer Rößler says:

      Hello Berdy,
      please send us an E-Mail at SocialMedia@SMA.de with all your questions and where you come from. We will then forward your request to the sales department in charge. Our colleagues there will clarify everything.
      Kind regards, Jennifer

      Reply
    • Berdy
      Berdy says:

      Hallo,
      Is there any model of 5kW greater SMA Inverter can do that others called it “Grid-Interactive/Off-Grid”? So it is a grid-tie (grid-interactive) service with seamless integration (packaged) to battery charging unit. it does export of the solar power surplus to the grid when the battery is full. Thank you.
      Best regards,
      Berdy

      Reply
      • Jennifer Rößler
        Jennifer Rößler says:

        Hello Berdy,
        please send us an E-Mail at SocialMedia@SMA.de with all your questions and where you come from. We will then forward your request to the sales department in charge. Our colleagues there will clarify everything.
        Kind regards, Jennifer

  13. Ralph Berg
    Ralph Berg says:

    Will using the new HoMan 2.0 environment now unlock the use of the Sunny Portal “Visualization” Menu as per Chapter 5.6 pp36 of the Sunny Portal User Manual to be able to publish more comprehensive Energy Usage and Production Charts. This was not available when using HoMan 1.0 even though it was enabled for WebBox platform. This has always been a very annoying lack of publishing feature in HoMan 1.0 and I cannot fathom why it wasn’t avaliable through Sunny Portal for the earlier Home Manager platform.

    Having said that, I want to say that you have awonderful product and Energy Management platform in Homan 1 & now 2, cheers Ralph

    Reply
  14. Damian
    Damian says:

    Is Zero export control possible with the new SHM2.0 ? if so, will the configuration be similar as the previous SHM?

    Will the SMA Energy Meter be available when using SMA Cluster Controller for Zero export ?

    Thanks

    Reply

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