Is your Inverter Compatible with Sourceful Energy?
Before you can start, please ensure that your inverter is compatible with Sourceful Energy. You can check if your inverter is compatible here. We're adding support for new inverters all the time, check our roadmap if yours isn't compatible.
Step 1: Configure Your Inverter
Configure your inverter. Usually no technical skills are needed but you might need support. Read our guide for help on how to configure your inverter.
If you need further assistance, send an email to our support team at [email protected] or head to our Discord server where our technical support team or community can provide you with assistance.
When configuring your inverter, please make a note of the IP address, Unit ID and Port Number - you'll need these later.
Step 2: Download the Sourceful App
Download the free Sourceful Energy app for iOS or Android
Open the app and create a free Sourceful Energy account.
Enable Bluetooth on your phone.
Step 3: Connect your Zap to a Power Source
Connect your Zap to a power source such as laptop, phone charger, battery pack or your inverter using a USBC cable.
Your Zap will need to remain connected to a power source and within range of your Wi-Fi router, but during set-up it should be close to your phone too, so our app can connect to it temporarily via Bluetooth.
After connecting Zap to a power source, you'll see a green Power LED which lights up on the input side (same side as USB-C). On newer Zaps the RJ12 input port itself lights up.
Step 4: Register Zap with your Sourceful Energy Account
In the Sourceful Energy app tap Register a Zap
Follow the on-screen guidance in the Sourceful Energy app to connect to your Zap via Bluetooth, register your Zap and connect it to your home Wi-Fi network. You'll need your Wi-Fi password, which is usually on the back of your internet router.
When you've registered your Zap, you'll need to keep it connected to a power source within range of your Wi-Fi router. It's lower-powered so won't cost much to run, and won't use much of your internet bandwidth.
Step 4: Connect your Inverter to Zap (Using Wi-Fi/Modbus TCP)
After registering your Zap in the Sourceful Energy app, you can connect Zap to your inverter.
In the Sourceful Energy app, make sure you have the site selected that you registered your Zap to. The app is probably already in your site so you won't need to do anything.
By default, we create a new site called "My Home" when you create an account. You can rename the site, or even create new sites later if you want to add another site such as a holiday home, a customer's home or any other location. You can check which site is active in your app at the top of the home screen and in the side menu by tapping the menu icon at the top of the screen.
Next, tap Add an Energy Device in the Sourceful Energy app.
Select your inverter make, such as Sungrow, Deye or Solis.
Select your connection method. In most cases you'll connect via Wi-Fi. A direct serial cable (RS485) connection is usually reserved for advanced users and not normally necessary.
Enter the network settings. These are the details you wrote down when configuring your inverter in Step 1.
Confirm your configuration details, if they're correct, when you tap Continue, Zap should be able to connect to your inverter. If not, double check the configuation details from Step 1 or try our troubleshooting advice below.
In the final step, Zap checks what DERs - such as solar PV, battery or meter - are connected to your inverter.
Enter the final details such as the Installed Power, Max Power or Capacity in kW. If you're not sure where to find these details, refer to the manfucaturers documentation or head to our Discord server where our technical support team or community can provide you with assistance.
After submitting your DERs details you'll see confirmation on screen. And that's it, you're done.
What Success Looks Like
When Zap is fully connected and working:
✅ Green Power LED: Solid on
✅ Blue Data LED: Blinks every ~10 seconds
✅ Blue Status LED: Double-blink pattern
✅ App: Shows real-time energy data
After successful setup:
Bluetooth automatically disconnects
Zap switches to WiFi mode
Data flows to Sourceful Energy Network
Troubleshooting Tips
Check that your inverter is sending data
Watch the Zap Data LED (blue LED away from the button)
It should blink every 10 seconds (typical interval)
If it's not blinking after 1 minute check that Zap is connected to a power source
Status LED solid blue?
Device in setup mode
Ready for app connection
Data LED not blinking?
Router might not be configured correctly
Check our inverter configuration guide
Can't find device in app?
Ensure Bluetooth is on
Move closer to Zap
Try a factory reset (hold button on the Zap for 10 seconds)
Can't see your Inverter in the list?
You can scan your network for devices, and automatically connect them to your Zap via the Sourceful app.
If scanning or automated connection fails, follow our individual guides for inverters to add them manually.
Still Need Help?
If you encounter any issues or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer support team at [email protected] or join our Discord server for assistance.