Hi all, just a quick note that while I’ve been successfully using this solution (as well as grott for more frequent monitoring), I’ve been also evaluating the https://solar-assistant.io/ solution. And I have to say that it is the ultimate solution for monitoring and managing Growatt inverter. It’s local, and it provides HA integration through MQTT. Switching the inverter mode is just a question of selecting a value from a drop down, and it’s instant (and so are the monitoring data feeds). I’m going to redo my automations to use Solar Assistant and I suspect that I won’t look back.
Happy to help with the advice on how to deploy the solution - it needs an extra Raspberry Pi, and custom cable. Once all in place it works like a charm.
just a quick question - how does the Solar Assistant connects to Growatt inverter (or vice versa)? is it scanning local network, or how would this work?
On the UK Growatt facebook group, someone has been in contact with Growatt and it was confirmed that they have a major server problem which they expect to be resolved next week.
Thanks for the update. I’ll wait it out and if it’s stable after that, I’ll stick with with API. Otherwise it’s a non-cloud solution.
@martinm thanks for sharing Solar Assistant experience, it looks like a better solution than anything else. Seems like it can run on Raspberry Zero, being powered by USB from inverter. That would be sweet 
I’ve been looking at SA too. But keeping the existing dongle in place to send to Growatt, that way if SA dies I still have the stock answer. I’ll wait some more too.
yeah… it just produces err 501 constantly today
i am thinking to run grott.
My HA is running on my old desktop with windows 10 (HA installed on the Virtual Machine) so I think Grott would help me to achieve all I really need.
Solar Assistant looks like good option, especially in rapberry pi zero, but I really want to have wifi dongle on, like Snux…
Hi Guys, for what it’s worth, I’ve just done a bit of a braindump here: https://github.com/home-assistant/core/issues/100874#issuecomment-1739911377
It has some info about grott etc. but grott currently doesn’t do a great job of allowing you to push configuration unless you know exactly what you want to push (it uses firmware registers). I’m planning on doing some work to understand it better soon.
@KasperHolchKragelund, @snu-snu-snu, @Snux - regarding the Solar Assistant questions:
It’s connecting directly to the inverter through RS485 port, see Configuring Growatt SPH inverter (solar-assistant.io). The Wifi dongle stays where it was, the SA doesn’t interfere with the Growatt cloud app, or Grott.
For the connection I purchased FTDI USB-RS485-WE-1800-BT Cable, USB TO RS485 Serial Adapter Connector Converter, 6FT: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories and crimped the yellow and orange wires, as per the instructions. To run SA, I purchased Raspberry Pi 4 Model B | The Pi Hut with Aluminium Raspberry Pi 4 Case | The Pi Hut. Raspberry Pi needs its own power supply, so I had a new socket next to the inverter installed.
SA runs its own MQTT server, so you need to bridge it to your own MQTT, but after that HA auto-discovers SA entities and that’s that. Bit scary that suddenly you have all the inverter controls at your fingertips in HA (one needs to be careful not to mess things up).
Grott is great, but has no controls as far as I know, so you can’t change the inverter mode when you need to. Also grott depends on the frequency of the data feed from the Growatt dongle (1 min at best if I remember correctly). With SA you’ve got everything - data feeds and controls - and instantly. Plus it’s using VPP protocol (some sort of industry standard?) for the control, so seems to be very clean and direct integration. I need that because next I’m trying to orchestrate Growatt inverter/batteries with GivEnergy All-In-One.
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since Rpi Zero 2 w is capable to run it… and can be powered via USB - I think I will opt for that 
if Dongle stays on… by the way - how that dongle is connected to growatt inverter… via which port??
Seems like /config/configuration.yaml is not correctly loaded. Follow the installations closely and remember to restart HA (step 6).
Please note that Growatt servers are currently down, but should be up again next week.
I actually just got an email from the company that did my installation (which is almost a year ago)…
We would like to inform you about an ongoing update to the Growatt Server system that will temporarily affect your access to the Growatt app.
The Growatt server is undergoing essential updates and reinforcement work to enhance its performance and security. During this process, there may be intermittent periods when the server is not accessible. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
It is important to note that these updates are being carried out by a third-party system provider, and while we are actively coordinating with them, some aspects of the timeline are beyond our control. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve the reliability of our services.
how is the automation via solar assistant?
p.s. API still down?
I still get the 501, although the web page and app seem to be stable (for the moment at least).
yup, same for me. Web and app looks stable. might be they have changed something on API side
Either through the SA app:
Or directly in HA (which can be automated, scripted, scheduled, etc.):
I assume that publishing directly to SA MQQT would be an option too.
I’m chewing on biting the SA bullet. In addition to setting load/battery/grid first, can you update the time windows that are used? Like update the overnight charge from 1am-2am instead of 1am-3am
Changing time windows - that I do directly in Home Assistant, and only call SA to switch the Growatt mode. SA has its own time windows (which get then copied to Growatt cloud), but I think it’s better/cleaner if the whole logic including scheduling sits in HA.