The Problem
As residential energy storage systems become more widespread, installers and integrators often face the following challenges:
- Complex wiring and difficult installation: Traditional RS485 wired communication is often hard to deploy due to long distances and wall obstructions, leading to higher installation costs and time.
- Slow response, weak reverse current protection: Some wired solutions suffer from high latency, making it difficult for the inverter to quickly respond to meter data, which can lead to non-compliance with anti-reverse current regulations.
- Poor deployment flexibility: In tight spaces or retrofit projects, it’s nearly impossible to install wired communication quickly and effectively.
The Solution: Wireless Communication Based on Wi-Fi HaLow
A new wireless communication technology — Wi-Fi HaLow (based on IEEE 802.11ah) — is now providing a breakthrough in smart energy and solar systems:
- Sub-1GHz frequency band: Less congested than traditional 2.4GHz/5GHz, offering reduced interference and more stable connections.
- Strong wall penetration: Lower frequencies enable better signal performance in indoor and complex environments.
- Long-range communication: Up to 200 meters in open space, far beyond the reach of typical short-range protocols.
- High bandwidth and low latency: Supports real-time data transmission with latency under 200ms, ideal for precise inverter control and fast anti-reverse response.
- Flexible deployment: Available in both external gateway and embedded module formats to support versatile use on either the meter or inverter side.
Technology Comparison
Wi-Fi HaLow | Wi-Fi | LoRa | |
Operating frequency | 850-950Mhz | 2.4/5Ghz | Sub 1Ghz |
Transmission distance | 200 meters | 30 meters | 1 kilometer |
Transmission rate | 32.5M | 6.5-600Mbps | 0.3-50Kbps |
Anti-interference | High | High | Low |
Penetration | Strong | Weak Strong | Strong |
Idle power consumption | Low | High | Low |
Security | Good | Good | Bad |
Typical Application Scenario
In a standard home energy storage setup, the inverter and meter are often located far apart. Using traditional wired communication may not be feasible due to wiring constraints. With the wireless solution:
- A wireless module is installed on the inverter side;
- A compatible gateway or module is used on the meter side;
- A stable wireless connection is automatically established, enabling real-time meter data collection;
- The inverter can respond instantly to prevent reverse current flow and ensure safe, compliant system operation.
Additional Benefits
- Supports manual or automatic correction of CT installation errors or phase sequence issues;
- Plug-and-play setup with pre-paired modules—zero configuration required;
- Ideal for scenarios like old building renovations, compact panels, or luxury apartments;
- Easily integrated into OEM/ODM systems via embedded modules or external gateways.
Conclusion
As residential solar + storage systems grow rapidly, the challenges of wiring and unstable data transmission become major pain points. A wireless communication solution based on Wi-Fi HaLow technology greatly reduces installation difficulty, improves flexibility, and enables stable, real-time data transfer.
This solution is especially suitable for:
- New or retrofit home energy storage projects;
- Smart control systems requiring high-frequency, low-latency data exchange;
- Smart energy product providers targeting global OEM/ODM and system integrator markets.
Post time: Jul-30-2025