Changing your home Wi-Fi password might seem like a simple change for the consumer. However, in photovoltaic systems monitored via the internet, the change can disrupt communication between the equipment and the platforms that track energy generation.
When this happens, a question arises among consumers and companies in the sector: ultimately, who is responsible for restoring the connection? Is the integrator obligated to perform the reconfiguration free of charge?
In an interview with Canal Solar, the lawyer Marina Meyer Falcao, president of the Energy Law Commission of the OAB-MG (Brazilian Bar Association of Minas Gerais) and legal director of INEL (National Institute of Clean Energy), explains that the responsibility for accessing and maintaining the credentials linked to the system always lies with the holder of the consumer unit.
According to the legal expert, this understanding is supported by both Normative Resolution No. 1.000/2021 da ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) as well as by the Civil Code.
In the Agency's regulations, Marina highlights article 346, which establishes that ownership of the consumer unit and the contractual relationship with the distributor are linked to the registered user, who assumes the rights and obligations arising from this relationship.
In the civil sphere, the lawyer cites articles 104, 113, 421 and 422 of the Civil Code, which deal with the validity of legal acts, the interpretation of contracts, and the principles of objective good faith and contractual liability.
"The responsibility lies with the owner of the consumer unit. The Civil Code and Normative Resolution No. 1.000 of..." ANEEL "They say that. The integrator has no responsibility in this case," says the expert.
To avoid conflicts, the lawyer recommends that integrators advise clients on the importance of maintaining the Wi-Fi network used by the equipment and clarify, from the contracting stage, what support services are included after the system is delivered.
How does Wi-Fi interfere with the monitoring of a solar power plant?
Although power generation continues as normal, the vast majority of photovoltaic systems depend on an internet connection to send information to monitoring platforms accessed by consumers, integrators, and O&M (Operation and Maintenance) companies.
When the Wi-Fi password is changed, equipment such as inverters, data loggers, or communication devices may lose connection to the local network. As a result, data is no longer transmitted to generation monitoring applications and portals.
In practice, the system continues to produce energy, but the owner loses the ability to monitor indicators such as instantaneous generation, production history, consumption, and any fault alerts until communication is re-established.
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Answers of 14
I understand that the carrier shouldn't be obligated to provide data updates free of charge, but this update should be accessible to the customer. If it's something only the carrier can do, I think it should be a free service up to a certain amount, of course.
I already switched providers, had to change the IP and password, and nothing changed in my system because I had a dedicated router for the network cards.
As an IT professional, I say:
USER
This type of situation didn't need to exist, with a simple solution: just install a router dedicated to the system, separate from the home or business network. Low cost and avoids this type of conflict.
If the equipment accepts configuration of more than one network, a dedicated network can also be created in both cases using the same provider.
The integrator should already have this type of information in the contract.
If the application changes and the client cannot access it, and they report this to the person who installed the panels and installed the REFUlog application, this person informs them that the application is changing to REFUwind. What should I do? The latter is in German and I can't download it either. I have no access; who should I report this to? Awaiting guidance, thank you.
If you know how to change your Wi-Fi password, you should know how to change it on all the devices in your house. If you don't, don't change the password. Simple.
I think that to reconfigure the integrator, they should charge for the service.
This is easy to solve.
All you need is a dedicated Wi-Fi connection for IoT.
I have a system of 12 solar panels. I was aware of the system's production through an app provided by the company that installed the panels. At some point, the app stopped recognizing me, and it disappeared from my phone the last time I changed phones. Is this a similar problem? How could I solve it?
When the consumer is unaware of this rule and has not been instructed by the integrator about changing the Wi-Fi password, and the integrator refuses to provide this service, how can the consumer make this change and regain access to production information?
I have a solar system, and due to several power outages, the Wi-Fi had to be reinstalled by the company. However, I lost access to the solar system data, and now they want to charge me to configure it again. Also, I generate more energy than I consume, and my bill is still high, although much less than I used to pay. I have over $3700 in credit.
And does the manufacturer's warranty have to be covered by the installer? For example, opening a warranty claim after 7 years.
That's very good information.
I would like to know how to restore my system after reinstalling it. There was a problem with my internet connection, and the technician reset and changed the Wi-Fi password.
In my case it's different. The device that connects to my Wi-Fi network (the antenna) and transfers information to the app is defective (5 years old) and I can't get a replacement. What could I do? I no longer have access to the generation data.