KOSTAL
PLENTICORE Hybrid Inverters with SunSpec Modbus for Smart Buildings
KOSTAL (Lüdenscheid, Germany) produces solar inverters and hybrid systems popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland — PLENTICORE plus and PLENTICORE BI (with battery integration) are specified for high-quality residential and commercial PV installations. Modbus TCP on port 1502 with SunSpec registers enables straightforward KNX building integration.
Role in our panels
How we use KOSTAL
PLENTICORE plus (5-10 kW): Modbus TCP on port 1502, unit ID 71 (KOSTAL-specific, not standard 1). SunSpec model 103 (three-phase inverter): register 40071 (AC power, int16, W), 40083 (DC power, int16, W), 40094 (daily energy, uint32, 0.001 kWh), 40083 (grid frequency, uint16, 0.01 Hz). KOSTAL SMART ENERGY METER (SEM): connected to PLENTICORE via RS485, exposed on same Modbus TCP unit ID 200. SEM register 40191 (grid power, int32, W, positive=import, negative=export) — essential for self-consumption calculation. PLENTICORE BI (with battery): integrates BYD Battery-Box or Pytes battery via internal CAN. Additional Modbus registers on PLENTICORE BI: 40255 (battery SOC, uint16, %), 40258 (battery power, int32, W), 40261 (battery voltage, uint16, 0.1V). KNX integration: Weinzierl KNX Modbus TCP Gateway configured with two device entries — PLENTICORE (port 1502, unit 71) and SEM (port 1502, unit 200). Poll AC power every 10s, SOC every 60s. Self-consumption logic: when SEM reports grid export > 500W → KNX heat pump SG Ready state 3 (boost DHW), write EV charger current to Alfen Modbus. SG Ready: PLENTICORE BI has digital input for SG Ready state 3 signal — KNX relay output drives this terminal for forced battery charge during Tibber cheap hours.
KOSTAL PLENTICORE connects via Modbus TCP (port 1502, unit ID 71) to KNX gateway — AC power, battery SOC, and SMART ENERGY METER grid power enable full PV self-consumption and demand response automation.
Used in these project types
KOSTAL products
Key components we install
PLENTICORE plus 10 kW
10 kW three-phase string inverter. Modbus TCP port 1502, unit ID 71. SunSpec model 103 registers for AC power (40071), DC power (40083), daily energy (40094). SMART ENERGY METER interface via RS485. Suitable for residential and small commercial PV installations in DACH region.
PLENTICORE BI 10 kW with battery
10 kW three-phase hybrid inverter with integrated battery management for BYD Battery-Box or Pytes batteries. Additional Modbus registers: SOC (40255), battery power (40258), battery voltage (40261). SG Ready digital input for forced battery charge during cheap tariff hours. KNX relay actuator drives SG Ready terminal.
PIKO MP+ 3.6 kW
3.6 kW single-phase micro-inverter for small residential PV systems. Modbus TCP same port 1502 protocol family. Suitable for apartments and smaller rooftop installations where three-phase PLENTICORE is oversized.
KOSTAL SMART ENERGY METER
RS485 grid energy meter connected directly to PLENTICORE RS485 port. Exposed via PLENTICORE Modbus TCP on unit ID 200. Register 40191 provides grid power as int32 (W) — positive = grid import, negative = grid export. Essential for self-consumption optimisation and self-sufficiency calculation in KNX energy management logic.
KOSTAL FAQ
Why does KOSTAL use port 1502 instead of the standard 502?
KOSTAL chose port 1502 to avoid conflicts with other Modbus TCP services running on the same network. Always confirm the port in the inverter web interface under Settings → Communication → Modbus TCP. If the inverter has been reconfigured, the port may differ.
What are the unit IDs for PLENTICORE vs SMART ENERGY METER?
PLENTICORE inverter: unit ID 71. KOSTAL SMART ENERGY METER (SEM): unit ID 200. Both are accessible via the same TCP connection on port 1502 — configure your KNX Modbus gateway with two separate device entries pointing to the same IP but with different unit IDs.
Can I read self-generation and grid consumption simultaneously?
Yes — PLENTICORE unit 71 register 40071 provides PV AC production (W), and SEM unit 200 register 40191 provides grid power (positive = import, negative = export). Self-consumption = production minus max(0, grid_export). Both values are polled via the same Modbus TCP connection on port 1502.
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