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Enphase inverter via external meter

This guide describes how to read the solar energy production of an Enphase system using an external energy meter (CT clamp or Modbus meter). This method is suitable when the Envoy gateway does not support Modbus TCP, or when Modbus TCP cannot be activated.

See also: For systems with an Envoy-S Metered or IQ Gateway Metered, refer to the Modbus TCP (Envoy gateway) guide.

📋 When to use this method?​

Use this method in the following situations:

  • The Envoy gateway does not support Modbus TCP (e.g. Envoy-S Standard, IQ Gateway standard)
  • Modbus TCP has not yet been activated by Enphase Support and you don't want to wait
  • You want an independent measurement of the solar energy production
Universal method

This method works with all Enphase systems, regardless of the Envoy model. The measurement takes place on the solar panel wiring, not via the Envoy gateway.

⚙️ How does it work?​

Instead of reading the production data via the Envoy gateway, an energy meter is installed on the solar panel circuit. This meter measures the production directly and is connected to the Currentt Navigator via RS485 (Modbus RTU). In the Navigator, an inverter is then created via manual configuration with the name "Enphase" and linked to the installed meter.

There are two types of meters that can be used for this:

Option A: CT clamps​

CT clamps (current transformers) are clamped around the cable of the solar panel circuit. This is the simplest method because the clamps can be placed without interrupting the wiring — the cable does not need to be disconnected.

Option B: Modbus meter​

A Modbus meter (kWh meter) is placed in the distribution board and connected in series to the solar panel circuit. This method requires interrupting the wiring to incorporate the meter into the circuit, but provides accurate measurement.

🧰 Requirements​

  • Currentt Navigator
  • CT clamps (1 for single-phase, 3 for three-phase)
  • Or, a supported energy meter — see energy meters overview for all compatible models
Meter selection

Choose a meter that fits your installation:

  • CT clamps → simplest installation, no interruption of wiring needed
  • Modbus meter → accurate measurement, requires placement in the distribution board

See the energy meters overview for all compatible models.

1️⃣ Step 1: Install the energy meter​

Install the energy meter on the solar panel circuit (between the solar panels/micro-inverters and the distribution board).

Important

The meter must measure the production of the solar panels, not the total consumption of the home. Therefore, place the meter on the circuit that goes exclusively to the solar panels.

  • CT clamps: Clamp the CTs around the phase cable(s) of the solar panel circuit. The clamps can be placed without interrupting the wiring.
  • Modbus meter: Place the meter in the distribution board and connect it in series to the solar panel circuit.

Refer to the specific meter's manual for detailed installation instructions — see energy meters overview.

2️⃣ Step 2: Connect the meter to the Currentt Navigator​

  • CT clamps: Connect the CT clamps to the CT input of the Currentt Navigator.
  • Modbus meter: Connect the meter to the RS-485 Modbus connector of the Currentt Navigator with an RS485 cable (CAT5/CAT6 UTP).

3️⃣ Step 3: Configure the meter in the Currentt Navigator​

Add the energy meter in the Currentt Navigator:

  1. Click the settings icon (top right of the screen)
  2. Go to Components
  3. Click the + button in the Meters section
  4. Select the brand and model of the installed meter
  5. For the measurement type, select Production — the meter only measures the production of the solar panels
  6. Set the connection parameters (Modbus address, baud rate, etc.)
  7. Save the configuration
Modbus address (Modbus meter only)

Note the Modbus address of the meter. You will need this when configuring the meter in the Navigator. The default address varies per brand/model — refer to the meter's manual.

4️⃣ Step 4: Create the inverter​

Now that the meter is configured, create an inverter via manual configuration that uses the meter data as a production source:

  1. Click the settings icon (top right of the screen)
  2. Go to Components
  3. Click the + button in the Inverters section
  4. Select Manual configuration
  5. Name the inverter Enphase
  6. Select the newly created meter as the data source
  7. Save the configuration

The Currentt Navigator will now read the solar panel production data via the external meter and display it as an "Enphase" inverter in the system.

🛟 Troubleshooting​

ProblemPossible causeSolution
No data from the meterWrong RS485 wiringCheck the A/B connections of the RS485 cable
No data from the meterWrong Modbus addressCheck that the Modbus address matches
No data from the meterWrong baud rateCheck that the baud rate of the meter and Navigator match
Negative production valuesCT clamps reversedReverse the CT clamps or swap the A/B wires
Production not displayedMeter not linked to inverterCheck that the meter is selected in the inverter
Unrealistic valuesMeter on wrong circuitCheck that the meter only measures the solar panel circuit

📋 Summary​

StepAction
1Install an energy meter on the solar panel circuit
2Connect the meter to the Currentt Navigator
3Configure the meter in the Navigator (Components → Meters → +)
4Create an inverter named "Enphase" and link the meter (Components → Inverters → + → Manual configuration)