How to set up Export Limiting
Using the Fronius Smart Meter*
*Single phase or 3-phase Energy Meter
(c) Fronius International 2020
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Application Guide
© Fronius International, Training and Education
Version 4.0/2020
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Gender-specific wording refers equally to female and male form.
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1. GENERAL
So called “export limiting” is where the Utility or network operator restricts the amount of energy from PV system
that goes into the grid. I.e. excess energy that is not consumed on the site. In order for the end user to gain the
maximum amount of energy from the system without exceeding the export limit, the inverter output needs to be
able to follow the site load.
With Fronius Datamanager 2.0 integrated SnapINverter and GEN24 inverter it is possible to limit the inverter
output power dynamically and therefore to control and limit the amount of energy which is exported into the grid
in accordance to the consumption of the loads.
The Datamanager Card 2.0 and the GEN24 inverter offer the following options to control the power output of the
inverter:
- Modbus RTU
- Modbus TCP
- digital inputs
- Dynamic Power Reduction using the Fronius Smart Meter
Therefore there are two possible ways to achieve export limiting with Fronius Inverters:
- Using the Fronius Smart Meter to allow the inbuilt Dynamic Power Reduction.
- 3rd party controller issuing commands to the inverter.
The simplest and most cost effective way to achieve export control with Fronius inverters is to use the Fronius
Smart Meter. The meter measures the amount of energy imported to or exported from the grid and the
Datamanager 2.0/GEN24 uses these values to calculate the appropriate output power of the inverter to limit the
export to the grid.
This document describes how to set up export control using the single phase or 3-phase Fronius Smart Meter.
1.1 Location of the Fronius Smart Meter
With the Fronius Smart Meter there are 2 possible energy paths / locations where it can be installed.
The feed-in point or the consumption path.
Feed-in point – bi-directional energy measurement possible. Feed-in of surplus energy/consumption from the
grid is measured.
Consumption path – single direction energy measurement. Load is measured directly.
Due to NET metering and the common way installations are done in some countries, in almost all cases, the
Fronius Smart Meter will be installed at the feed-in point. This is also the default setting on the inverter
WebInterface.
/ Feed-in point
In this position the solar & the loads are in parallel. The solar is connected to the “load” side of the Fronius
Smart Meter.
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/ Consumption path
In this position the solar & the loads are separated by the meter. The solar is connected to the “grid” side of the
Fronius Smart Meter.
1.2 Requirements
Important! The Fronius Datamanager 2.0 needs a software version of 3.16.x-x or greater. It can be
downloaded from the Fronius Website under Solar Energy / Info center / installer support or click here:
https://www.fronius.com/en/photovoltaics/infocentre/tech-support?
Within the Installer Support Area on the Fronius Website you can also find a more detailed document/guide on
how to update your Datamanager 2.0.
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Fronius Smart Meter
ModBus RTU
/ RS485
Fronius
SnapIN
verter
L1
Fronius Smart Meter 63A
-3
Fronius Smart Meter 63A
-1
Fronius Smart Meter
TS 65A-3
Fronius Smart Meter
TS 100
A-1 Fronius Smart Meter
TS
5kA-3
F
ronius Smart Meter 50kA
-3
2. EXPORT CONTROL USING A FRONIUS SMART METER
2.1 Smart Meter type overview
Fronius Smart Meters or the Fronius Smart Meters TS (single phase or 3-phase) are energy meters with
ModBus RTU / RS 485 communication. It is needed for measuring the load and energy fed into the grid.
The Smart Meter needs to be connected to the Fronius inverter. If a SnapINverter is used a Fronius
Datamanager 2.0 is necessary. This communication card comes built-in in SnapINverters Galvo, Primo, Symo
and Eco and can be retrofitted to all other Fronius inverters.
2.2 Schematics and Wiring
The following schematics shows the system configuration
with Datamanager 2.0
(c) Fronius International 2020
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