Hybrid Inverter System

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Kenpachi

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Good day, All

I would like some advice on a Solar System.
I've researched some solutions and have narrowed it down to a Hybrid Inverter System which will suit my needs.
I, in turn, don't have enough knowledge on which hybrid inverter would be a good choice for me.

The system I'll like to install would ultimately run 2kw of appliances (Fridge, 2x TV, Router, Lights) and during the day only have the Pool pump running from solar Panels.

The reason why I'm settling on a hybrid system is so I can build upon the system as I go along (Add in more solar panels and batteries).
In the beginning, I'll only have the inverter and some batteries so the system will essentially be a backup system and later add on Solar and more batteries. (Would this be achievable)

An inverter I'm tempted to give a try and hopefully there's someone on this forum which has tried it already?
Sofar 6000-ES 6kVA/6kw Hybrid Inverter from SolarAdvice
R22,770.00 inc VAT
 
Good ideas you have, especially on the inverter, buy the biggest one you can afford and build everything around it. I have no experience on the Sofar range, ask the supplier about support and warranty.
 
thechamp said:
I have no experience on the Sofar range, ask the supplier about support and warranty.
Click to expand...

Make sure there are multiple vendors in case the one you deal with goes bust or dissapears/closes.
Also find out if repair facilities are available. Having a component pop on a R20K inverter outside of the warranty period and having to replace the entire unit is not going to be a nice experience.

Personally I'd rather pay a bit more for equipment from a well known and well supported manufacturer like Victron and not worry about support, repairs and spares.
 
Paul_S said:
Make sure there are multiple vendors in case the one you deal with goes bust or dissapears/closes.
Also find out if repair facilities are available. Having a component pop on a R20K inverter outside of the warranty period and having to replace the entire unit is not going to be a nice experience.

Personally I'd rather pay a bit more for equipment from a well known and well supported manufacturer like Victron and not worry about support, repairs and spares.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll have a look at Victron
 
@Kenpachi
If you are willing to pay that much for an inverter, consider 2 x 3kva inverters that can be linked. That way if one blows you still have power.

It will also help with the battery expansion in the future. You don't want to be mixing new and old batteries on the same charger. All you do in the future is move all the "old" batteries to one inverter and all the new ones to the other inverter.

You can also start with a single 3kva. I have a 3kva, no panels, and have the whole house excluding laundry, stove, kettle and microwave on it. Most of the time it pulls 0.3kva.
 
Dairyfarmer said:
@Kenpachi
If you are willing to pay that much for an inverter, consider 2 x 3kva inverters that can be linked. That way if one blows you still have power.

It will also help with the battery expansion in the future. You don't want to be mixing new and old batteries on the same charger. All you do in the future is move all the "old" batteries to one inverter and all the new ones to the other inverter.

You can also start with a single 3kva. I have a 3kva, no panels, and have the whole house excluding laundry, stove, kettle and microwave on it. Most of the time it pulls 0.3kva.
Click to expand...

Can you give me some more information on the system you have?

On this system will you be able to add panels in the future and if so will the grid be able to supply the remaining power needed in the event the panels are not sufficient (Cloudy day)?
 
Kenpachi said:
Thanks, I'll give it a read.
Much appreciated
Click to expand...
You can skip a most of it.

In short I have a 3kva hybrid inverter. 4 x 100ah batteries. I split my electrics in the house into 3 at the main breaker. I have 3 phase (doesn't matter if you have single phase). One phase goes from the main breaker to an isolator to the inverter. The inverter then supplies another isolator, EL and breakers for all my lights, plugs, tv's, pc's,....... The inverter ticks along at 0.3kva and 1.5kva with everything on at once and the fridge in full action. Batteries discharge to a max of 75% after 2.5 hours of load shedding. A 4 hour load shed didn't see the batteries get to 50%.

Another phase is for all the high draw appliances (geyser, laundry, stove, microwave, kettle, outside plugs). They have their own isolator, EL and breakers. They are completely isolated from the inverter, including earth.

The third phase is for my home workshop.

So basically all the plugs in the kitchen and laundry are direct utility. Everything else is on the inverter. Electric wise all I had to add was an isolator either side of the inverter and an EL after the inverter. The isolator before the inverter is not necessary, but I wanted one next to the inverter not at the DB.
 
Dairyfarmer said:
You can skip a most of it.

In short I have a 3kva hybrid inverter. 4 x 100ah batteries. I split my electrics in the house into 3 at the main breaker. I have 3 phase (doesn't matter if you have single phase). One phase goes from the main breaker to an isolator to the inverter. The inverter then supplies another isolator, EL and breakers for all my lights, plugs, tv's, pc's,....... The inverter ticks along at 0.3kva and 1.5kva with everything on at once and the fridge in full action. Batteries discharge to a max of 75% after 2.5 hours of load shedding. A 4 hour load shed didn't see the batteries get to 50%.

Another phase is for all the high draw appliances (geyser, laundry, stove, microwave, kettle, outside plugs). They have their own isolator, EL and breakers. They are completely isolated from the inverter, including earth.

The third phase is for my home workshop.

So basically all the plugs in the kitchen and laundry are direct utility. Everything else is on the inverter. Electric wise all I had to add was an isolator either side of the inverter and an EL after the inverter. The isolator before the inverter is not necessary, but I wanted one next to the inverter not at the DB.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the summary on your system
This is exactly the type of system I've been looking for.

I did a quick search on the inverter you use, its the "Axpert MKS 3-24 3kVA 3kw 24V hybrid inverter" if I'm not mistaken.
A question I have on this is that it specifies that you can only have a Max of 600watts of PV panels attached to it.
You currently using this as a Backup system at the moment, how do you see overcoming the 600watts max PV input in the event you'll like your inverter phase (Phase 1) to run off the grid in the future. (This is the route I'll like to achieve in future)
Do you think the 600watts PV input would be enough to supply all those applications?
775114
 
Kenpachi said:
Thanks for the summary on your system
This is exactly the type of system I've been looking for.

I did a quick search on the inverter you use, its the "Axpert MKS 3-24 3kVA 3kw 24V hybrid inverter" if I'm not mistaken.
A question I have on this is that it specifies that you can only have a Max of 600watts of PV panels attached to it.
You currently using this as a Backup system at the moment, how do you see overcoming the 600watts max PV input in the event you'll like your inverter phase (Phase 1) to run off the grid in the future. (This is the route I'll like to achieve in future)
Do you think the 600watts PV input would be enough to supply all those applications?
View attachment 775114
Click to expand...
That's a serious shortcoming, especially since the 5kva has a limit of 4000W on solar. The price difference is also not that big between the 3kva and the 5kva.

But 600W is good enough for lights and electronics.
 
Kenpachi said:
how do you see overcoming the 600watts max PV input in the event you'll like your inverter phase (Phase 1) to run off the grid in the future.
Click to expand...
I had no intention to run off grid with my system, although I did want the option to supplement with PV's. There are 3 main reasons why:
1 - If I was to go off grid I would need a much bigger system. Geyser draws 3.5kw, thermofan element is 3kw, microwave spikes at 3kw, kettle 3kw, toaster 2.5kw,.....
2 - The amount of batteries needed is expensive. I have funded the project out of my own money and it is not covered by the farm.
3 - The farm has no option but to need Eskom. The dairy alone needs 75kva to run. As my house is on the same line, it doesn't make financial sense to go off grid. Also my usage is mainly after sunset.
 
Paul_S said:
Make sure there are multiple vendors in case the one you deal with goes bust or dissapears/closes.
Also find out if repair facilities are available. Having a component pop on a R20K inverter outside of the warranty period and having to replace the entire unit is not going to be a nice experience.

Personally I'd rather pay a bit more for equipment from a well known and well supported manufacturer like Victron and not worry about support, repairs and spares.
Click to expand...
Why? The 5KVA which @GeeWiz is selling is perfectly capable of running his circuit.
 
Honey Badger said:
Why? The 5KVA which @GeeWiz is selling is perfectly capable of running his circuit.
Click to expand...

There are plenty of Chinese solar inverters like the Sofar units on the market which are very capable until something breaks (component failure, lightning strike, etc.).

How many companies sell the Sofar brand in South Africa? Better yet how many of them will repair the units locally if they break out of warrantee? I wasn't telling the OP not to use it but to do their homework first.
 
Kenpachi said:
Thanks for the summary on your system
This is exactly the type of system I've been looking for.

I did a quick search on the inverter you use, its the "Axpert MKS 3-24 3kVA 3kw 24V hybrid inverter" if I'm not mistaken.
A question I have on this is that it specifies that you can only have a Max of 600watts of PV panels attached to it.
You currently using this as a Backup system at the moment, how do you see overcoming the 600watts max PV input in the event you'll like your inverter phase (Phase 1) to run off the grid in the future. (This is the route I'll like to achieve in future)
Do you think the 600watts PV input would be enough to supply all those applications?
View attachment 775114
Click to expand...

There is an expert 3kva unit with an 80amp mppt, just search, they are harder to find though. Imo you are restricting yourself starting this way. You should get a 5kva and go 48V
 
Some hybrid inverters tend to either be on the grid in the event the batteries and solar is not able to supply enough power and others have the capability of only drawing what it needs from the grid to supplement the shortfall from the solar and batteries.
How do I distinguish the difference of these two from the data sheet?
 
Kenpachi said:
Some hybrid inverters tend to either be on the grid in the event the batteries and solar is not able to supply enough power and others have the capability of only drawing what it needs from the grid in the event of the solar and batteries not being enough.
How do I distinguish this from the data sheet?
Click to expand...
The ones that are either grid or solar/battery will be cheap, the ones that blend power will be very expensive.

But if it has the feature of blending the power sources it will say so in the spec sheet. 90% of inverters you are going to come across in your search won't have this feature.
 
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