Should I choose a Hybrid Inverter ?

mre15

I have been interested in getting a Solar setup for sometime and finally have the funds available to do so. I think I must have read most posts on here now so I feel I recognise a good quote compared to a rip off.
I have been getting some reasonable prices of below 5k for a system of 4.6KW.

My question though is this:- Should I get a system with a Hybrid Inverter now so that when Storage prices drop to a reasonable amount in the near future I am ready to just plug in.

It makes the quotes around £500 extra to choose the hybrid versions.
My geek side wants to go this way and then experiment with Batteries, seems like a fun project.

Does anyone have a hybrid Inverter they would recommend, I have had quotes with SolaX, Lux and Solis.

Cheers.

Coastalwatch

Hi mre15, I've no experience with the inverters you mention but the system installed on our property earlier in the year utilises the Solaredge HD Wave inverter which has the necessary features inboard to allow for the addition of battery storage later. In the meantime the system takes care of any shading issues thus ensuring there are no losses to the entire string if one panel drops out or loses efficiency. The software included allows interrogation of each individual panel of the array in real time so you can see at a glance if one does run into problems.

Naturally the system is more expensive than others without the aforementioned benefits but, also being a bit of a geek, I've found it interesting to keep a check on panel outputs rather than just receiving an overall output figure.

It may be more sophisticated than you had in mind but perhaps worth a look if you're planning battery storage as I am. I've added a link below in case it is of use. Good luck with your investigations, I'm sure others will add their comments also.



https://www.solaredge.com/uk/products/pv-inverter/single-phase#/

Martyn1981

I'm not sure if there's a right or wrong answer to this, but some additional thoughts:

By placing the batteries on the DC side of the inverter you are ready to rock and roll, and you don't need an additional inverter in the future to run the batt pack, but,

all battery losses will now be on the wrong side of the TGM (total generation meter). So if you lose say 10% of the generation in batt losses, then you won't get FiT and export on that 10%. [Note, this is 10% of what gets stored, not what gets generated, so it won't be a 10% loss on everything.]

and you will be partially tied to a specific make, or short range of battery packs.


The other side, which is to add an AC battery pack later, is that system losses will be higher as the leccy goes from DC on the roof to AC through the inverter, then gets directed to the batt pack, where it goes to DC, then back again later, but at least the losses are after the TGM.

Fingers crossed, over time the batts and the inverters and the plug n play complete kits will get cheaper and cheaper.

Just some thoughts to make your decision even harder, sorry!

BTW, great prices, it's always nice to hear from new/potential PV'ers that prices are going in the right direction.

mnbvcxz

Unless you really see yourself buying a battery in the next few years I would be tempted not to.

Inverters have a very rough lifespan of 10-15 years so if you wait ten years for batteries to become plentiful and cheaper then you will have got most of the life out of your inverter even if you have to replace it. Its entirely possible that a battery in years to come will no longer be easily compatible with your inverter anyway, so why tie yourself in.

If you have an electric hot water immersion then thats an easy way to store some of your electricity.

mre15

Thanks for the replies chaps. I know if I get a hybrid then I will end up with some form of battery before the end of next year. I won't be able to help myself.

I understand the loss against the generation, I have deliberately oversized the amount of panels above the dno spec to allow for some over production to help keep the battery full and still provide some export. I hope it will work this way.

I am tempted by the Solis energy store, it is a new model and looks quite good, however it is a chinese brand and I can't find anyone who has one.