Welcome to Horizon Power Smart Connect Solar Guide

You will learn about the installation and commissioning process for the Secure Gateway Device (SGD) used by Horizon Power's Smart Connect Solar, including what to do before installation day, how to connect and mount the SGD, and how to configure the inverter settings.

Click on this menu to access the relevant section:

Prerequisites and equipment required for a successful installation of the SGD
How to connect and mount the SGD as per Horizon Power's technical requirements
How to configure inverter settings correctly
Install and commission the SGD using the Stormcloud App
Useful information for your customer

Prerequisites and equipment required

Let's look at what you need to do before installing your first Smart Connect Solar.
Horizon Power compatible inverter
Get the Horizon Power Training
Download Stormcloud app
Open the SGD box
Ensure the Internet is available
When to commission your SGD?

Horizon Power compatible inverter

Ensure your inverter is compatible with Horizon Power Smart Connect Solar. 
Check the brand and exact model is in the following list provided in attachment, or click here.

Horizon Power Training

Before installing your first Smart Connect Solar, you must complete this training. If you require other installers to complete training, it can be taken through the Clean Energy Council (CEC), complete both CPD modules offered by Horizon Power, available on the CEC website.

Stormcloud app

After completing your training, you will need to register for Stormcloud on the SwitchDin website and download the Stormcloud App on your mobile or tablet in Google Play or the Apple App Store. This app is required to configure and commission the SGD during installations.

Horizon Power SGD

Once your Renewable Energy System Application has been approved, Horizon Power will deliver a SwitchDin Droplet Plus to your nominated address. This Droplet Plus is the Secure Gateway Device (SGD) that Horizon Power will use to communicate with the inverter.

What's in the SGD Box?

The SGD box should contain the following items:

1 * SwitchDin Droplet Plus
1 * Power Supply
2 * Antennas
1* USB to Ethernet Adaptor
Before installation, inspect the contents of the SGD box to ensure that all parts are present and there are no signs of physical damage. If any parts are missing or visibly damaged, contact the SwitchDin helpdesk via email: at support@switchdin.com, or call: +61 2 4786 0426.
If you haven’t received an SGD within 10 business days following approval of your RESA application, please contact Horizon Power.

Internet Availability

Confirm internet availability with your customer; as part of the installation, a hard-wired LAN connection is required from the SGD to the customer's modem or router; you may be required to install a switch if there are no spare ethernet ports available on the modem/router.

Know when to commission the SGD

Commissioning of the SGD must be carried out during daylight hours to ensure solar power generation controls can be tested as part of the commissioning process.

Connect and Mount the SGD

Identifying each port of the SGD
Connecting the SGD
Technical Requirements
Connect and Mount the SGD

Let's look at the specific components of an SGD

Connecting the SGD

The proper installation of the SGD enclosure is crucial to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the SGD. Before connecting the SGD, ensure that you have followed Horizon Power's Technical Requirements for the enclosure and have installed the PV solar system, inverter, GPO, and ethernet cables accordingly. Photographs clearly showing that the enclosure and SGD are installed in accordance with Horizon Power’s Technical Requirements must be submitted to Horizon Power by email: Renewables@horizonpower.com.au.

Technical Requirements

Let's look at the Technical Requirements that relate to the SGD Enclosure:

Step 1: Remove
Remove from the packaging and connect the two external antennas to the SGD

Step 2: Mount
Mount the SGD to the Din Rail within the SGD enclosure

Step 3: Power
Plug the power supply into the DC in port on the SGD device, and the GPO.

Step 4: Connect
Using an Ethernet to USB adaptor, plug the cable from the internet modem/router into the USB3 port on the SGD

Configure Inverter Settings

The inverter settings must be configured correctly for the SGD to control the inverter and handle communication failures.
As an example, let's look at how to configure the settings for a Fronius SnapINverter.
How to configure Fronius SnapINverter
Inverter Failsafe
Controlling Priorities
Installation Guides
Inverter Region Settings

How to Configure Fronius SnapINverter

The SGD communicates with inverters through Modbus. The following steps are necessary to enable communication for a Fronius SnapINverter.

Step 1: Connect Inverter to SGD
Plug the Ethernet Cable from the inverter into the SGD (some inverter models will require a USB to Serial adaptor, please refer to installation guides on the SwitchDin website.

Step 2: Download and Open Fronius Data Manager
Download and install Fronius Data Manager. When ready open your internet browser and enter the IP address (found within System Information) or enter the host and domain name of the Fronius Data Manager into the browser's address bar.

Step 3: Open Modbus Settings
From the Fronius Data Manager click Settings on the right-hand side of the page and select MODBUS from the left-hand side menu.

Step 4: Configure Modbus Settings
In the main screen, for Data Export via Modbus select tcp, in the Modbus Port field enter 502 and ensure that Inverter control via Modbus is checked. Once settings are correct click the tick in the top right-hand corner to save.

These steps will enable the SGD to communicate with the Fronius SnapINverter through Modbus.

As specified in Horizon Power’s Technical Requirements, photographs or other such evidence that the above settings have been configured correctly must be submitted to Horizon Power by email: Renewables@horizonpower.com.au.

Inverter Failsafe

Once you have configured the Fronius SnapINverter, the next step is to set the Inverter Failsafe.

Step 1: DNO Editor
Open DNO Editor and Select DNO Editor from the left-hand menu.

Step 2: Configure Failsafe
In the main screen, under Dynamic power reduction select Limit Entire System from the Export Limitation options and set the Maximum Grid Feed-in Power to 0 W. Once settings are correct click the tick in the top right-hand corner to save.

Now that you know how to set the inverter failsafe, the next step is to learn how to set the controlling priorities.

Step 2: Priority 2
Set Dynamic power reduction as Priority 2.

Step 3: Priority 3
Set IO control as Priority 3

Once you have set the inverter failsafe and the controlling priorities, you must follow Horizon Power's Technical Requirements to configure the inverter settings.

Commission the SGD

To commission an SGD in Stormcloud, you must follow these steps.
Sign in to Stormcloud
Create a portfolio
Create a unit
Add the SGD to the unit
Update firmware
Manage Devices
Add the Horizon Power Controller

Stormcloud Application

Open the Stormcloud application and sign in.

Please follow this link if you are creating your user account. You will need to ensure you have permissions on this account opened by SwitchDin.

Your username is an email address.
If two-factor authentication has been enforced, you will receive a passcode valid for 300 seconds in your email inbox to finish logging in to the SwitchDin portal.

Create a portfolio

On first signing into the application, you can create a folder regrouping all the sites where you install SGDs. We call this folder a portfolio. As an installer, feel free to use the name of your business or your area.

Create a unit

Tap on your portfolio to create your first unit. Tap on 'Create' in the top right corner.

In the Unit Name field, please use the following naming convention:
Street address or significant place name - Town - Inverter size (kW)

For example:

1. 12 Test Road - Onslow - 5kW
2. Broome Test School - Broome - 25kW

Then enter the address in the Street Address field and tap Create New Unit.

Add the SGD to the unit

Start the Installer application from the top left menu bar of your mobile application.
Select 'I have a droplet to install'
Scan the QR code on the SGD or manually enter the serial number (located below the bar code on the SGD). If you cannot reach the QR code or serial number on the SGD, it can also be found on the packaging it arrived in.

Then select  'Connect via Ethernet' as you should have plugged the USB/ETH adaptor into the local LAN and port USB3 of the SGD.

Update firmware

Select 'Manage Devices' and tap at the top of the screen to download the latest firmware update if available.

Manage Devices

Tap on Add device, tap on the droplet you want to select, then tap on 'Discovery'.
Tap on 'Manage Devices'

Tap the settings button to configure the inverter and select Yes in the pop-up.

Optional: If you have connected a smart meter, you will configure it here; instructions for this are included in installation guides on the SwitchDin website.

Add the Horizon Power Controller

Now that a device has been added to the SGD, you will be able to tap on 'Add Controller'.
Select 'Horizon Power Controller' from the drop-down menu then 'Create'.