Installation · Sofar Solar

Install GridZeno on Sofar Solar hybrid.

Sofar HYD has a 16-pin multifunction connector, COM. Pins 1 to 4 are Sofar's own connection for monitoring and control with Modbus RTU. The dongle is connected with two wires in pins 1 and 3. ME 5-20KTL-3PH, Sofar's battery inverter without solar panels, has the same connector and the same pins.

Applies to: HYD 5-20KTL-3PH and ME 5-20KTL-3PH
Connection: Wires in the inverter's terminal plug
Time: About 30 minutes

The battery is controlled with Sofar's passive mode. If the dongle goes silent, the inverter goes back by itself to the mode it was in before. What GridZeno can do on Sofar Solar hybrid

How the dongle recognises it: The serial number in holding 0x0445. The code P1 or P2 is HYD 5-20KTL-3PH, U1 or U2 ME 5-20KTL-3PH. A 20-character serial number with the code 051 is also HYD-3PH.

GridZeno Dongle for Sofar Solar hybrid

What you need

GridZeno Dongle: The device ID is on the label, e.g. GZ-A1B2C3.
Cable: GridZeno's Modbus cable with one end cut off, or another network cable with one plug.
Wire strippers and ferrules: Two wire-end ferrules.
USB power: A 5 V USB charger and a cable with USB-C.

The port

On the underside of the inverter, by the Link ports and DRM.

Port: COM (16-pin multifunction connector)

The COM connector, as Sofar numbers the pins. Pins 1 and 2 are A, pins 3 and 4 are B, so several inverters can be daisy-chained. The numbers are on the plug.

Pin 1 A, RS485 A1-1
Pin 3 B, RS485 B1-1

The cable

A network cable where one end has an RJ45 connector for the dongle and the other end is cut off. At the inverter end, only the two wires from pins 4 and 5 are used, with terminals on them.

From the dongle to the inverter
Dongle end	Inverter end
Pin 4, blue (A)	COM pin 1, RS485 A1
Pin 5, white/blue (B)	COM pin 3, RS485 B1
The other wires	Cut off and insulated

Settings

On the inverter

System Settings > 7. Communication Addr. (on the ME: 8.): Address 1 and baud rate 9600, as from the factory

In GridZeno's Welcome

The inverter is chosen in GridZeno: in Welcome the first time, and later under System, Change inverter. The dongle fetches its setup from there.

Manufacturer and model: Sofar Solar, Hybrid
Connection: By cable (RS485)
RS485 settings: Keep the default: 9600 baud, 8N1, address 1.

Step by step

Each step has a small drawing that shows what to do.

1
Check the address
On the display, go to System Settings, 7. Communication Addr. (on the ME 5-20KTL-3PH the item is called 8. Communication Addr.). The address must be 01 and the baud rate 9600, as from the factory.
2
Unplug the COM connector
The 16-pin connector is on the underside by the Link ports and DRM. Loosen it and pull it out so you can reach the terminals.
3
Prepare the cable
Cut off one end of the cable, pass it through the connector's nut, seal and housing, and strip the sheath 20 to 40 mm. Strip the wires from pin 4 (blue) and pin 5 (white/blue) 6 to 10 mm, and fit terminals. Insulate the other wires.
4
Insert the wires in pins 1 and 3
Blue (A) goes in pin 1 and white/blue (B) in pin 3. Pins 2 and 4 are for a possible next inverter in the chain.
5
Plug the connector back in
Plug the COM connector into the inverter, and tighten it so it's sealed.
6
Plug the RJ45 end into the dongle
The cable's other end goes into the dongle's RS485 port. Place the dongle somewhere dry and close to the inverter, so the cable doesn't hang from the plug.
7
Connect power to the dongle
Plug the USB-C cable into the dongle and the charger into a socket. The dongle starts by itself. It gets power from the charger, not from the inverter.
8
Connect the dongle to the network
Over Wi-Fi: the first time, the dongle creates its own Wi-Fi, GridZeno-Setup- followed by the last characters of the device ID. Connect your phone to it, choose your own network, enter the password, and press Save and connect. When it says Connection OK, press Go to GridZeno. Over cable (LAN): plug a network cable from the router into the dongle's network port.
9
Log in, and choose your inverter
Log in to GridZeno. Welcome pairs the dongle with its device ID. Then choose your inverter, Sofar Solar Hybrid, and the connection By cable (RS485). Press Save inverter, and the dongle fetches its setup and reads the inverter.

The dongle's own setup is described with screenshots in The user guide, and the pairing in Getting started.

Take care

Pins 5 and 6 are the energy meter's connection, and the other pins are used for the battery, temperature sensor and relays. Pin 16 gives 12 V out. Don't touch them.

If several inverters are daisy-chained on pins 1 to 4, each has its own address, and the first and last have a 120 ohm resistor between pins 2 and 4. Write to us before you connect the dongle to a system like that.

If you aren't used to fitting wires in a terminal connector, let the installer do it.

What GridZeno can control on Sofar Solar hybrid, and how, is on the page about Sofar Solar hybrid. If you're stuck, write to us with the model name.

Source

Ports, pins and menus are from the manufacturer's own manual: Sofar HYD 5-20KTL-3PH User Manual V13.2 (EN, 2025-07 and 2025-11) and ME 5-20KTL-3PH User Manual V4.0 (EN, 2023-02), Section 5.10.1, Multifunctional Communication Port (table 11), and 7.4.2, System Settings.