The SMA Sunny Tripower Smart Energy (STP5.0-3SE-40, STP6.0-3SE-40, STP8.0-3SE-40 and STP10.0-3SE-40) is a three-phase hybrid PV inverter with a DC connection for a battery. TapHome communicates with it over Modbus TCP in the local network, using the SMA Modbus profile.
The template is read-only. It shows the AC output power and total yield of the inverter, power and energy drawn from and fed into the grid, the battery state of charge with its charging and discharging power, and grid and device diagnostics. It does not write any parameters and does not control the battery.
Hardware connection
The network port of the inverter is located in the connection area at the bottom of the enclosure (position D, network ports with protective caps). The inverter has two network sockets: one connects to the local network, the second can be used for a communication product such as the SMA Energy Meter or the Sunny Home Manager.

Network cable requirements
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Cable type | 100BaseTx |
| Cable category | at least CAT5e |
| Plug type | RJ45 of Cat5, Cat5e or higher |
| Shielding | SF/UTP, S/UTP, SF/FTP or S/FTP |
| Conductor pairs and cross-section | at least 2 × 2 × 0.22 mm² |
| Maximum length between two nodes | 50 m with patch cables, 100 m with installation cables |
| Outdoor installation | UV-resistant cable |
Connecting the network cable
Connecting the network cable is an activity for a qualified person according to the SMA operating manual.
- Disconnect the inverter from voltage sources as described in the SMA operating manual.
- Unscrew the protective cap from the network port.
- Press the cable support sleeve out of the threaded sleeve.
- Feed the network cable through the swivel nut and the threaded sleeve and attach the cable support sleeve to the cable.

- Press the cable support sleeve into the threaded sleeve.
- Insert the network plug into the network port of the inverter until it locks in place, then turn the threaded sleeve onto the thread of the network port.
- Screw the swivel nut onto the threaded sleeve.
- Connect the other end of the cable to the local network, for example to the router or switch that the TapHome Core is connected to.

Overvoltages, for example from lightning, can be conducted over network cables into the building and to other devices in the same network. Integrate all devices in the network and the battery into the existing surge protection, and provide a surge protection device where a network cable is laid outdoors and enters the building. Always use the supplied RJ45 protective sleeve — moisture entering the network port can damage the inverter.
The inverter can alternatively join the local network over Wi-Fi. SMA recommends an Ethernet connection to the router when the Wi-Fi connection quality is poor.
Configuration
Network and IP address
In the local network, the inverter receives its IP address from the DHCP server (router), or the address is assigned manually. The current address is shown in the status bar of the inverter user interface and can be found in the network configuration of the router or with a network scanner. Because TapHome connects to a fixed IP address, assign a static address or create a DHCP reservation in the router.
The IP address range 192.168.12.0 to 192.168.12.255 is reserved for communication between SMA products and for direct access to them. Do not use this range in the local network, otherwise communication problems may occur.
Opening the user interface
- In the local network — enter the IP address of the inverter in a web browser. On Apple and Linux systems,
https://SMA[serial number].localalso works; on Windows and Android,https://SMA[serial number]. - Direct Ethernet connection — connect a laptop directly to the inverter and open
169.254.12.3. - Direct Wi-Fi connection — connect to the network
SMA[serial number]with the device-specific Wi-Fi password from the type label, then openhttps://smalogin.netor192.168.12.3. The SMA 360° app can also open the user interface by scanning the QR code on the inverter.
The browser may warn that the connection is not secure — continue loading the page to reach the login page.
Logging in as Installer
On first access, the user interface asks for two passwords: one for the User group and one for the Installer group. If the inverter is registered in a communication product such as the Sunny Home Manager or in a Sunny Portal system, the installer password must match the system password of the plant. Changing the Modbus settings requires logging in with the user group Installer.
Enabling the Modbus TCP server
The Modbus TCP server is deactivated by default and must be enabled before TapHome can read the inverter:
- Log into the user interface as Installer.
- Select the Device Parameters tab and click Edit parameters.
- Open the parameter group External Communication.
- In the group Modbus > TCP Server, set Activated to Yes.
- Keep the port at the default value 502.
- Click Save all.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Protocol | Modbus TCP |
| Port | 502 (default) |
| Unit ID | 3 (default of the SMA Modbus profile, configurable from 3 to 123) |
| Register format | 16-bit registers; the measured values are 32-bit blocks of two registers, big-endian |
If the Unit ID was changed in the inverter, enter the same value when importing the template.
Once the Modbus interface is active, all data points not protected by the SMA Grid Guard code can be read over Modbus without a password. SMA recommends a firewall, closing unnecessary network ports, remote access only over a VPN and no port forwarding to the Modbus port.
In TapHome, add a Modbus TCP interface, import the template and enter the IP address of the inverter and the Unit ID.
Device capabilities
Inverter output
- PV Production — the AC output power of the inverter in kW (H:30775) and the total yield counter in kWh (H:30529). The power is measured on the AC side of the inverter, not on the individual PV strings.
Grid exchange
- From Grid — power currently drawn from the grid in kW (H:30865) with the counter of energy drawn from the grid in kWh (H:30581).
- To Grid — power currently fed into the grid in kW (H:30867) with the grid feed-in counter in kWh (H:30583).
The values at the grid connection point require an energy meter in the system. SMA permits the SMA Energy Meter (EMETER-20) or the Sunny Home Manager 2.0 (HM-20) with this inverter.
Battery
- Battery (SOC) — battery state of charge in % (H:30845).
- Battery charging power — present battery charging power in kW (H:31393).
- Battery discharging power — present battery discharging power in kW (H:31395).
The service attribute Battery operating status (H:30955) shows Off, Standby, Charging, Discharging or Emergency charge.
Diagnostics
Service attributes of the module:
| Attribute | Register | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Device condition | H:30201 | OK, Warning, Fault or Off |
| Grid voltage L1, L2, L3 | H:30783, H:30785, H:30787 | Phase voltages in V |
| Grid frequency | H:30803 | Grid frequency in Hz |
When the inverter reports Fault, the module shows an error in TapHome; Warning raises a warning and Off an information message. The details are in the Events menu of the inverter user interface.
Troubleshooting
- No response on port 502 — the Modbus TCP server is deactivated by default; enable it as described above. After the inverter is reset to default settings, check that the Modbus interface is still active.
- The inverter cannot be reached after a while — the IP address assigned by DHCP has changed. Read the current address in the status bar of the user interface or in the router, and set a static address or DHCP reservation.
- Communication problems in the network — check that the local network does not use the range 192.168.12.0 to 192.168.12.255, which is reserved for SMA products.
- From Grid and To Grid do not change — check the energy meter. Event 7619 “Communication fault with meter unit” in the inverter means that the inverter receives no data from the energy meter; SMA advises integrating the energy meter into the same network as the inverter or connecting it directly to the second Ethernet port of the inverter.
- Power values show 0 or attributes show “n/a” — SMA marks unavailable measured values with special codes (0x8000 0000 for signed and 0xFFFF FFFF for unsigned 32-bit values). The template shows 0 for power values and “n/a” for voltage and frequency in that case; the energy counters are not affected.
- Slow or missing readings with other Modbus clients active — SMA asks for at least 1 second between Modbus data transfers and no more than five values transmitted at the same time. The template polls every 15 seconds; avoid shortening the poll intervals.
- Device condition shows Warning or Fault — open the Events menu in the inverter user interface for the event message and the corrective measures.
