[Sorted] microinverter budget brand and source?

Heedtheadvice

Advice and suggestions requested to select microinverter and sales source at a budget price.

As per another thread of mine I am expanding my generation capability by adding some E/W capability.

For now it will be just 2 x 235 watts panels in both directions. It will not be possible (or desirable) to add them to existing South panels or connect to that string inverter.

They additions are mounted close to each other so a 4 in 1 inverter would suit and I had been looking at a Hoymiles 1k inverter (as used by at least one other poster)

However the price I found originally seems to have shot up significantly to about £480 or so for the  Could be the current Hoymiles considered is the best at the moment but could do with more ideas!.

I have also considered Enphase singles which would work out to a similar cost.

Can anybody suggest other solutions? Quite happy with 1 in 1, 2 in 1 or 4 in one if it will be a reliable cost effective method. Would not be too happy with unknown brands that often seem to have a variety of reviews but can be cheap imports! A recommendation is preferrable!!

Also a source for reasonably priced K2 pitched roof mountings or other types of rails and clamps that will fit on existing K2 vario roof brackets.

Thanks for any suggestions.

QrizB

Heedtheadvice said:

However the price I found originally seems to have shot up significantly to about £480 or so for the  Could be the current Hoymiles considered is the best at the moment but could do with more ideas!.

I have also considered Enphase singles which would work out to a similar cost.

Enphase IQ7. £126 each - you'd need two, so roughly half the £480 of the Hoymiles?

https://www.itstechnologies.shop/products/enphase-iq7-60-cell-microinverter-230-400vac?variant=31547364409442&currency=GBP

(Not a seller recommendation, just a Google hit.)

Or there are various cheap no-name Chinese options but I would be wary!

Or you could make a tiny string and use a Growatt 750 or similar:
https://theecosupermarket.co.uk/product/growatt-750tl-x-single-mppt-solar-inverter/

Heedtheadvice

Hi, thanks for post.

I was under the impression that the Enphase Iq7 is a single MPPT  so for the 4 panels (2E +2W) zI would need four?

Similarly the Growatt would only cope with 2 panel so would need a second for the other orientation?

Perhaps I misunderstand or did not explain ver well in my first post.

However if I am correct there is really not much to choose between them on price.

On that basis I might prefer the Hoymiles as cabling would be easier in my case!

I guess my timing is probably just a bit late and demand is outstripping supply!!

QrizB

Heedtheadvice said:

I was under the impression that the Enphase Iq7 is a single MPPT  so for the 4 panels (2E +2W) zI would need four?

Similarly the Growatt would only cope with 2 panel so would need a second for the other orientation?

Perhaps I misunderstand or did not explain ver well in my first post.

When you said:

For now it will be just 2 x 235 watts panels in both directions ...

I read it as two panels in total, one facing each way. I now realise you meant a total of four panels, two in each direction. I should have asked for clarification, apologies.

I was under the impression that the Enphase Iq7 is a single MPPT  so for the 4 panels (2E +2W) zI would need four?

You only need two MPPT inputs, one for each direction, unless you expect your panels to receive unequal shading. However with 470W x2 then the 240W-rated IQ7 doesn't have enough capacity.

ispookie666

With enphase you would need the envoy-S to make it compliant with G99. 
The proprietary cabling for enphase will add additional cost.  

Heedtheadvice

Thanks both for the further responses.

No need to apologise @QrizB , I should have made my needs clearer and less ambiguous.

Yes I did wonder too about cabling, @ispookie666 .

I think I better bite the bullet snd order the Hoymiles whilst available at the current price!

Thanks for posting.

QrizB

I just saw this and thought of you!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234535866598

5-year-old 1kWp solar PV system. 4 panels, 2 microinverters and all the kit for (currently) £500. It's an auction listing but the seller might accept an offer?

Heedtheadvice

Thanks, kind of you to point that one out.

I have looked at it and they are APS inverters that are part of the package (I already have the panels and more so would be the main item of interest). Done a bit of online reading and APS seem to have reviews that indicate a high failure rate. Not perfect getting info that way, I know, but not inclined to buy those.

Thanks anyway for pointing it out.

Did bid for 4 enphase 215 micros but at second hand, no warranty, unknown condition, 5 years old,...went for silly money in my book so missed them. Would have been prepared to take the risk at dirt cheap but not at the substantial price of new ones even with the VAT!

gefnew

Would this help in your quest to keep costs down, very good make of inverter
.
SMA Sunny Boy SB1700 - 1.5 kW Solar PV Inverter 1550 Watts | eBay
manual to be found here.
untitled (gold-coast-solar-power-solutions.com.au)

Heedtheadvice

Thanks for suggestion. Was getting quite keen....

Unfortunately it is just two panels E and two W ( total under 500W each way at about 33v per panel) so would not meet the min voltage spec for each MPPT string (139v according go the manual you provided the link to)

Shame but I cannot fit any more panels in E/W orientation.

A good buy probably for someone.

gefnew

Slightly different approach here, may suit do not know if worth a punt.
1000w 12v iconica hybrid pure sine inverter with solar and ac mains charger 1kw: Search Result | eBay