Some help for the new kid

The other inverter in that video is the Solis. Those do not connect to batteries from what I can gather on the spec sheets. It appears to work with PV only although it can use that to feed into the grid.
 
Doing research on the VM iii, Kodak and Voltronic, according to Segensolar ( importer ), it will definitely blend, but according to Solaradvice it will definitely NOT blend, so who do you believe
 
Tariqe said:
Doing research on the VM iii, Kodak and Voltronic, according to Segensolar ( importer ), it will definitely blend, but according to Solaradvice it will definitely NOT blend, so who do you believe
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If it were me, and the unit could indeed blend, I would have replaced the OR in the image below with AND.

At least and / or . Seems it is one or the other, but not both blended.

1582726443802.png
 
Under programming the inverter, the option SUB, stands for Solar-Utility-Battery
The excerpt below is from the manual

Solar energy provides power to the loads as first priority.
If solar energy is not sufficient to power all connected loads, utility energy will supply power to the loads at the same time. Battery provides power to the loads only when solar and utility is not sufficient.

The key words being “ at the same time “, so just wondering, this from the updated manual from Voltronic for the VM iii, same as the King
 
Tariqe said:
Under programming the inverter, the option SUB, stands for Solar-Utility-Battery
The excerpt below is from the manual

Solar energy provides power to the loads as first priority.
If solar energy is not sufficient to power all connected loads, utility energy will supply power to the loads at the same time. Battery provides power to the loads only when solar and utility is not sufficient.

The key words being “ at the same time “, so just wondering, this from the updated manual from Voltronic for the VM iii, same as the King
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It can definitely blend then, the standard 5kva is SBU and it says, "Solar energy provides power to the load as first priority, if solar is not sufficient to power all connected loads, battery energy will supply power at the same time".

So it means the normal Axpert can blend power only between solar and battery, while the King and the VM iii can blend power between solar and AC.
 
nsbrown said:
Segen Solar doesn’t say that the VMIII is a Hybrid, they specifically say it’s an Off-Grid https://segensolar.co.za/product/ko.../kodak-solar-off-grid-inverter-vmiii-5kw-48v/

They both give the correct information, Sustainable are mistaken.
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The labels and terminology are used loosely and can be very confusing, it's better to look at the specs than concern yourself about the labeling. I am 100% sure that the KodakVMIII is a hybrid, hybrid in a sense that it can work with electricity or without it.

  • Removable LCD control module with multiple communications servers and ATM.
  • Built-in Bluetooth for mobile monitoring (Android App is available).
  • Replaceable fan design for ease of maintenance.
  • Supply load from Grid or PV, even battery is not available.
  • Configurable AC/PV output usage timer and prioritization.
  • Selectable high-power charging current.
  • Selectable input voltage range for home appliances and personal computers.
  • Compatible to Utility Mains or generator input.
  • Auto restart while AC is recovering.
  • Cold start function.
As you can see from the features, how can it supply loads from the mains if it's an off grid inverter?
 
That still doesn’t mean it’s a Hybrid, an Off-Grid inverter does exactly the same.

You can look at the Datasheet for the Goodwe and Sofar, those blend the energy sources.
 
Wpuld like to buy a proper “ hybrid” but at another nearly R20,000 additional , think I can work around the limitations of the VM iii.
Not really interested in feeding back into the grid, as city of Cape Town wants nearly R500 a month for a feed in system plus not sure what will the cost be for the net meter
 
nsbrown said:
That still doesn’t mean it’s a Hybrid, an Off-Grid inverter does exactly the same.

You can look at the Datasheet for the Goodwe and Sofar, those blend the energy sources.
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Arguing semantics is a waste of time, you will have to show me the universally accepted definition of Hybrid from the universally accepted books of inverters.

I think we all know what's the simple definition of hybrid is as applied to inverters.
 
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From my reading, hybrid is used variously to refer to inverters that can work with PV or off the grid, as well as to refer to inverters that are able to blend solar (or battery) with grid power. The former seems the more common though. In any case, it is probably best to avoid the term due to the confusion it causes.
 
Speedster said:
From my reading, hybrid is used variously to refer to inverters that can work with PV or off the grid, as well as to refer to inverters that are able to blend solar (or battery) with grid power. The former seems the more common though. In any case, it is probably best to avoid the term due to the confusion it causes.
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I think the biggest confusion is self made, go to any solar shop and ask for a hybrid inverter and you will get a hybrid inverter, Google hybrid inverters and inverters that work on grid and off grid will come up, if you need one that blends power ask for it and you will get it, easy as that.
 
i always thought the word "hybrid" was a combination of off-grid and grid-tied. if it can't feed into the grid, then it's not a hybrid. inverter manufacturers' use this word too loosely imho.
 
wingnut771 said:
i always thought the word "hybrid" was a combination of off-grid and grid-tied. if it can't feed into the grid, then it's not a hybrid. inverter manufacturers' use this word too loosely imho.
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Again to declare it as being used wrong or loosely we need to see the definition from some authority that defines standards and definitions, in the absence of that what makes sense is good enough. A car that uses electric and petrol is still a hybrid even if the petrol engine is not feeding the battery or motor.

Here's the general definition.

  1. a thing made by combining two different elements.
    "jungle is a hybrid of reggae and house music"
adjective
  1. of mixed character; composed of different elements.
    "hybrid diesel-electric buses"
 
A Hybrid inverter can blend both AC and DC power together, an Off-Grid cannot.
Hybrid inverters help reduce the cost by only using enough AC power along with the DC output to make up for the load.

For example:
House is running 5kw worth of appliances
The PV is only producing 2kw
The battery can assist with 2kw
The grid can supply 1kw

An Off-Grid can’t use the AC for partial supply so it will completely switch over to AC if the PV and battery can’t make up for the 5kw load.

Just because the inverter can take the 3 sources doesn’t mean it’s a Hybrid.

They work differently so it isn’t the same thing, if you call Segen or SolarAdvice they will tell you the same.

If you’re being sold a “Hybrid” and it’s really an Off-Grid just ask them if they blend AC and DC together.
 
nsbrown said:
A Hybrid inverter can blend both AC and DC power together, an Off-Grid cannot.
Hybrid inverters help reduce the cost by only using enough AC power along with the DC output to make up for the load.

For example:
House is running 5kw worth of appliances
The PV is only producing 2kw
The battery can assist with 2kw
The grid can supply 1kw

An Off-Grid can’t use the AC for partial supply so it will completely switch over to AC if the PV and battery can’t make up for the 5kw load.

Just because the inverter can take the 3 sources doesn’t mean it’s a Hybrid.

They work differently so it isn’t the same thing, if you call Segen or SolarAdvice they will tell you the same.

If you’re being sold a “Hybrid” and it’s really an Off-Grid just ask them if they blend AC and DC together.
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I agree with the bolded part, because the term hybrid is just so open to multiple interpretations, until we have a solar inverter universal standard of the term Hybrid as applicable to inverters then its open season, I don't know if there's any legal leg to stand on if you found out that your Hybrid inverter cannot blend power, yet it was sold to you as a Hybrid.
 
In the Solar circles they've known about this technology for a few years, it's probably only now where it is becoming a more common question because people are wondering why they're more expensive.

You could probably return the inverter if it was sold as a Hybrid and it technically wasn't.
 
nsbrown said:
In the Solar circles they've known about this technology for a few years, it's probably only now where it is becoming a more common question because people are wondering why they're more expensive.

You could probably return the inverter if it was sold as a Hybrid and it technically wasn't.
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The supplier could also refuse to refund you if they feel it's technically a Hybrid, it would be a nice stalemate.
 
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