Unable to Recharge the prepaid meter

Solution: Connectivity Check: Confirm the meter is successfully communicating with the server. Serial Number Verification (SmartComm): Access the SmartComm Customer Master and ensure the serial number recorded matches the physical serial number of the connected meter. Duplicate Configuration Check: Verify that no two meters are incorrectly configured with the exact same serial number in the system.

Email Configuration SMTP Details Outlook

Solution: SMTP Host/Server Name: For Outlook.com: smtp-mail.outlook.com For Office 365/Microsoft 365: smtp.office365.com SMTP Port:587 (recommended) Encryption Method: STARTTLS Authentication: Your email account needs to be authenticated, so enable login or use the ""My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication"" option in your email client. Username: Your full Outlook email address (e.g., yourname@outlook.com or yourname@domain.com) Password: Blank

Email Configuration App Password creation for Gmail account

Reason - Gmail will work only with a secure encrypted app password Solution: Go to your Google Account settings. Navigate to the Security tab. If you don't have it enabled, turn on Two-Step Verification. Find and click on App passwords. Select an app name (like ""SMTP"" or ""Mail Client"") and click Generate. Copy the generated 16-character password and use it in your mail client's password field instead of your main Gmail password.

Email Configuration SMTP Details Gmail

Solution: Gmail SMTP Settings SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com Port: 587: (requires STARTTLS/TLS) 465: (requires SSL) Authentication: Required Username: Your full Gmail address (e.g., user@gmail.com) Password: An App Password generated from your Google Account security settings Security/Connection: TLS or SSL, depending on the port chosen

Transfer existing sensor to a different gateway

Reason - Loss of old data stored under device id created Solution: To prevent data loss, edit the sensor and use the "Move to Gateway" option to transfer the sensor to a different gateway.

Asset list is not available in the filter

Reason - The asset is not assigned to the organization Solution: Check the asset selection settings in organization settings

Reason - Sensor/gateway limit exceeded Solution: Check license information for sensor/gateway limit

Cannot change the ip address of gateway

Reason - The ip address should is not available Solution: 1. if company network is being used check the accesibility to access 2. check if set ip is with in subnet range 3. Check if Primary and Secondary DNS is correct as per network settings 4. Set the Default Gateway IP to match the router's IP or the company network's default gateway IP.

3rd part meter not communication

Reason - 1. Memory map configuration wrong 2. (10 power -4 )Conversion factor is not available in third party memory map configuration 3. Data on modscan and software is matching but not matching with meter display readings Solution: 1. Verify data via Modscan, check wiring, confirm the meter parameter's datatype/function code in the memory map, and ensure the gateway supports that parameter datatype. 2. Can be added from conversion factor available in Master settings

Could not download certificate

Reason - All mandatory fields are not saved in organisation info settings Solution: All details should be given in mandatory field of organisation settings

Power Factor correction in establishments with solar installations

Updated: Sep 08, 2026 | 6 min read

Technical Articles

Published: Apr 24, 2026 by Abhinav L Purkar

Technical Articles

Click on any topic to jump to that section

Solar Power generation is growing very fast in INDIA and 40 GW capacity added just in last decade. The Indian government has also set a target of 175 GW generation capacity by 2022 & 450 GW generation capacity by 2030. There is continuous increase in Solar power generation by industries & households, in conjunction with power from Utility. This will reduce power consumption from Utility & consumers will get savings in electricity bill. Along with the benefit, there is a minor challenge in maintaining Power Factor in above establishments with solar plant. The same is explained in this article along with suitable solution.

The installation of solar panels in industries could have a negative impact on the overall power factor at the metering point. When solar inverter starts generating active power, there is equal reduction of active power that is drawn from the grid. Whereas the loads continues to draw reactive power from the grid at the same level, unlike the active power. In this scenario, there will be reduction in PF value. The same is explained below:

In Diagram 1 (with Solar OFF & APFC OFF), PF value is 0.86 (calculated as PF = kW / kVA = 1000 / 1166).

In Diagram 2 (with Solar ON & APFC OFF), PF value has reduced to 0.78 (calculated as PF = kW / kVA = 750 / 960)

In both the above cases – with or without solar generation the reactive power demand is constant (600 kVAr) for the active load (1000 kW). But still the calculated PF value drops (0.86 to 0.78) as soon as solar starts generating 250 kW and power drawn from utility reduces to 750 KW. This results in increased electricity bills, depending on type of billing – kWh or kVAh.

Generally, in industries to maintain PF, Automatic Power Factor Correction panels are installed with power capacitors that are controlled by APFC controllers. Traditional APFC controllers are capable of 2 quadrant operation only. This means the APFC controllers can understand power flow in these 2 scenarios –

1) Active power import from grid (+ve kW) & Reactive power import from grid (lagging PF)

2) Active power import from grid (+ve KW) & Reactive power export to grid (leading PF)

These controllers can operate satisfactorily in systems which does not have solar installations or with solar generation power less than total load demand.

As explained in Diagram No.3 - for the load demand of 1000 KW, Solar panels are generating 500 kW (< load) while the rest of the power i.e, 500 KW is drawn from utility. The 2 Quadrant APFC controller functions normally and 600 kVAr reactive power will be contributed by the capacitors in APFC panel and nil reactive power from Utility (PF = 1).

But at times, solar generation could exceed the full load demand and then the power flow will be in either of below 2 scenarios, in addition to above mentioned power flow scenarios:

3) Active power export to grid (Solar ON & net –ve kW) & Reactive power import (lagging PF)

4) Active power export to grid (Solar ON & net –ve kW) – Reactive power export (leading PF)

In the above two scenarios, the active power value is depicted as negative since it is exported to grid. So traditional APFC controllers calculate instantaneous PF as negative value, and assumes it as leading PF. Thus the controller will not switch ON any capacitors during net-power export and loads will start drawing reactive power from grid. Hence there will be drop in average PF and increased electricity bill to consumer.

As explained in Diagram No. 4 – for the load demand of 1000 kW, Solar panels are generating 1500 kW (more than load requirement) and the surplus active power i.e., 500 kW is being exported to grid. Since the calculated PF here by 2 quadrant APFC controller is -ve value (PF = -500/781 = -0.64), it assumes as leading PF and switches off all capacitor banks. Eventually, the load starts drawing entire 600 kVAr reactive power from Utility. This results in drop of average PF at the tariff meter. The ‘-ve' sign in diagram depicts the active power export to grid from load.

Solution

To avoid this problem, customers should use APFC controllers that are capable of sensing actual “kVAr demand” by the load at any power flow scenario. In other words, APFC controller need to sense and operate in 4 quadrants as explained below -

As explained in Diagram no. 5 – even though active power is being exported to grid (500 KW) due to excess generation from solar panels (1500 KW) than load demand (1000 KW), APFC controllers with feature of “4 Quadrant sensing” can maintain unity PF by switching on required capacitor banks (600 kVAr) and avoid drawing reactive power from grid. Hence at the tariff meter, the PF value can be maintained at the desired level, whether with or without excess solar power generation.

Even though modern solar inverters can be programmed to generate Reactive Power (kVAr) as well, it comes at the cost of Active Power output (kW). Maximum Apparent Power (kVA) generation of solar inverters are fixed and configuring Reactive Power output will reduce Active Power output from the inverter. Hence in order to maximise the ROI of Solar Power Plant, the best option is to configure only Active Power generation to the full capacity in solar inverters and use only APFC panels, with 4 Quadrant APFC controller, for accurate PF improvement. Renewable energy is need of the hour for sustainable future. At the same time, it is equally necessary to understand and take care of Power Quality.

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About the Author

Abhinav L Purkar,

Manager Product Management & Marketing (PMM)

Abhinav Purkar is a Product Management, Marketing, and Application Engineering professional with over 10 years of experience in the Power Quality domain. He has extensive expertise in power quality analysis, harmonic mitigation, reactive power compensation, energy efficiency, and electrical system optimization, helping customers improve system reliability and operational performance. With proven experience in product lifecycle management, market development, portfolio growth, and go-to-market strategy, Abhinav has successfully driven initiatives that enhance customer value and strengthen market presence. His strong technical foundation, combined with strategic business acumen, enables him to bridge the gap between customer requirements and innovative product offerings.