SMA Sunny Tripower CORE1

Commercial PV inverter

A 50 kW three-phase PV inverter with six independent MPP inputs. Its Ethernet SMA and SunSpec Modbus functions require commissioning. Check the nameplate and firmware before selecting a register map, and keep inverter production distinct from site import or export. SMA now identifies X 60 as the successor.

SMA Sunny Tripower CORE1 STP 50-40 or STP 50-41 inverter
  • Modbus TCP

Commercial PV inverter

Compatibility

Compatible through local SunSpec Modbus TCP

The exact CORE1 manual documents Ethernet SMA and SunSpec Modbus. The general SMA interface document supplies the SunSpec unit convention, and SunSpec discovery identifies the returned model before a measurement is selected.

STP 50-40 firmware 3.00.00.R through 3.11.##.R, or STP 50-41 firmware 4.01.01.R and later, as stated by operating manual STP50-4x-BE-en-23. Excludes CORE1-US, Sunny Tripower X 60 and earlier firmware. Confirm installed regional nameplate, firmware and SMA control hierarchy before any external access.

Connect it with

After the local interface is enabled and its configured endpoint recorded

  • Modbus
  • Edge
  • Platforms
Commercial PV inverter
Interface
Gateway
Edge
Output
Sunny Tripower CORE1Sunny Tripower CORE1 Ethernet
Protected EthernetSegmented LAN
ZGW-20 GatewayHosts Edge locally
EpiSensor EdgeModbus client + register map
Customer platformMQTT · API · files
Modbus TCP
Protected Ethernet
Runs locally
Optional onward data
Use the inverter’s direct local endpoint. Preserve the existing SMA controller and the separate site meter; the optional RS485 communication module is not used by this Ethernet path. The customer-platform output is optional; Edge remains the local system of record.

Models

Download
ModelsInterfaceRoute into Edge
STP 50-4050 kW three-phase PV inverter, six independent MPP inputsOperating manual applies from firmware 3.00.00.R through 3.11.##.R; confirm the exact register map before external reading.
STP 50-4150 kW three-phase PV inverter, six independent MPP inputsOperating manual applies from firmware 4.01.01.R; confirm the exact register map before external reading.
CORE1-US and Sunny Tripower X 60Separate regional product and successor generationDo not transfer this guide’s firmware range, register profile or commissioning details.

Specifications

The STP 50-40/50-41 operating manual identifies a transformerless 50 kW three-phase PV inverter with six independent MPP inputs and two strings per input. SMA’s current product page says CORE1 is no longer marketed and points to Sunny Tripower X 60 as its successor; the products have separate manuals and integration contracts.12

AC rated power
50,000 W at 230 V, 50 Hz; 50,000 VA maximum apparent power1
PV input
Six independent MPP inputs, two strings per input; 75,000 Wp maximum array power (STC)1
Modbus access
SMA and SunSpec over IP, disabled by default; ports initially 502 and configurable1
STP 50-40 firmware
Manual applies from 3.00.00.R through 3.11.##.R1
STP 50-41 firmware
Manual applies from 4.01.01.R1
Ingress and cooling
IP65 electronics; -25 to +60°C operating range; three fans1
Market status
CORE1 is no longer marketed by SMA; X 60 is its named successor2

Interface

Documented measurements and integration boundaries for Sunny Tripower CORE1.

  • The operating manual confirms SMA and SunSpec Modbus over the inverter’s IP interface, but not an approved set of external point addresses for an installed unit.
  • A factory-default inverter does not expose Modbus. SMA says its ports are initially set to 502 and may be changed after enabling the service.
  • The optional SMA RS485 module connects to SMA communication products; it does not prove a Modbus RTU server.
  • Inverter production is measured at the inverter, while site import and export depend on a separate feed-in meter and the installed control design.
  • Modbus can modify parameters and setpoints. This guide authorizes no writes, export-limit control or VPP dispatch.

Assessment

European STP 50-40/50-41 in the manual’s stated hardware/firmware scope. SunSpec discovery and the conditional model103 example provide a documented starting point; no physical Edge test is claimed.

InteroperabilitySupported with conditions
Ethernet SMA and SunSpec Modbus are documented and disabled by default. Use the configured local endpoint and discover the model list before choosing points.135
AccuracyLimited
The conditional model103 definition provides units and signed scaling for inverter power. Returned models determine the actual layout; inverter output is distinct from a site or billing meter.14
SecuritySupported with conditions
SMA instructs operators to use a firewall, close unused ports and use a VPN for remote access when Modbus is enabled.1
ReliabilityNot yet assessed
No site-specific polling interval, uptime or stale-value behavior is established for an external reader.
RuggednessSupported with conditions
The manual specifies IP65 electronics, a -25 to +60°C operating range and active cooling within installation limits.1
ScalabilityNot yet assessed
Maximum concurrent Modbus clients and plant-wide polling capacity are not established here.
LifecycleSupported with conditions
The official manual covers both nameplate variants with distinct firmware ranges; SMA labels CORE1 no longer marketed and points to X 60 as successor.12

Setup

Discover the SunSpec identity before reading power

Use the configured local TCP endpoint after enabling the interface. This is a standards-based monitoring starting point. The common header, model position and power bytes below are synthetic examples.

Target and profile
Configured inverter IP and TCP port, normally 502. For the classic SMA interface, the SMA-profile default is unit 3 and the SunSpec unit is SMA unit +123, normally 126. Confirm the configured unit; these are different profiles.
Signature request
FC03 at wire address 40000, quantity 2: PDU 03 9C 40 00 02. Expected data 53 75 6E 53 spells SunS. If absent, check the unit/profile and server setting; SunSpec also permits bases 0 and 50000.
Model traversal
Read the two-register header after the signature. Synthetic header 00 01 00 42 identifies common model 1 with 66 following registers. Header 40002 advances to 40002 + 2 + 66 = 40070. Read the common manufacturer, model and serial fields to identify the actual inverter.
Conditional power read
Only if the returned model is 103: let H be its discovered header address. W is at H + 14 and W_SF at H + 15, both signed 16-bit. Read FC03 quantity 2. Example H = 40070 gives wire address 40084 (0x9C94) and PDU 03 9C 94 00 02. Other models use their own definitions.
Synthetic scaling
Bytes 30 39 FF FF decode to W = 12345 and W_SF = -1: 12345 × 10^-1 = 1234.5 W. This pair is not Float32. Signed 0x8000 is unavailable, not zero power.

Acceptance: Compare a fresh decoded reading with the SMA local interface. Preserve the existing manager, meter and control configuration. These examples are based on published documents, not a physical SMA/Edge test.

  1. Identify the installation

    Record nameplate, firmware and whether STP 50-40 or STP 50-41 is installed.

  2. Record the interface settings

    Use the published SunSpec discovery procedure below as the starting point. Read the common model identity before selecting measurements; use each returned model’s definition.

  3. Preserve network and control roles

    Have a qualified person enable Modbus on a restricted network and document the configured port; the factory state is off.

  4. Compare the first values

    Use read-only queries; keep grid, power and reactive-power setpoints with the existing controller.

  5. Identify the grid meter

    Compare inverter production with the local user interface and grid exchange with the separate feed-in meter.

  6. Read the documented starting points

    Use the discovery and conditional power read below as the best-effort starting point. Name inverter production separately from grid exchange, and keep failed polls missing rather than zero.

Common questions

Is Modbus available without commissioning?
No. SMA states that the interface is disabled by default. Port 502 is an initial setting, not evidence that a service is active or that this site retains the default.1
Can the optional RS485 module be polled as Modbus RTU?
The manual describes that module as a way to communicate with selected SMA communication products. It does not establish Modbus RTU support for the module.1
Can a CORE1 register map be reused for Sunny Tripower X 60?
No. SMA names X 60 as the successor. Its hardware, firmware and Modbus documentation must be evaluated separately.12
Does inverter generation equal grid export?
No. A feed-in meter measures the grid connection, while the inverter reports its own production. Use each source for its own measurement boundary.1

Sources

  1. Sunny Tripower CORE1 STP 50-40 / STP 50-41 operating manual, version 2.3 (opens in a new tab) (PDF) SMA
  2. Sunny Tripower CORE1 product and successor status (opens in a new tab) SMA
  3. SunSpec Device Information Model Specification 1.1 (opens in a new tab) (PDF) SunSpec Alliance
  4. SunSpec three-phase inverter model 103 definition (opens in a new tab) SunSpec Alliance
  5. SMA and SunSpec Modbus interface technical information, version 1.0 (opens in a new tab) (PDF) SMA

Further reading

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