[Sorted] microinverter budget brand and source?

QrizB

gefnew said:

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

They're useful units but AFAICT they don't do export.

Here's Will Prowse with a typical example of the type:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7reC9QlPHlA

Heedtheadvice

Thanks once again for another post with a suggestion. The description given by sellers of the uk unit makes good reading both in it's designed functionality and versatility of control and data output.

Unfortunately I agree (having just had a look at the sellers description of the unit) that it looks a very interesting useful unit (especially the referenced model with MPPT for higher voltage panels rather than the one that has the link above) but will not meet my personal need or match the panels I have. A shame because I will also be using battery storage.

As mentioned above it is not designed for 'export' but more in an off grid/UPS mode and looks very useful for that purpose. It is not grid tie (as far as I have read) so would not make it's AC output available at board level for use wherever the demand in the property comes from.

Secondly it is designed to work with 12v lead acid or Gel type of batteries rather than li types.

I will however have a look at the web site as there maybe other solutions from them.

Thanks though and I am open to any other ideas. Systems do exist that meet my (and probably others) need who wish to augment exising systems. But being very MSE oriented (a skinflint?) currently not at a budget price!!.....unless I am wrong (hopefully!!!).

Quite a challenge!

Heedtheadvice

......and photonic universe mainly do off grid systems/devices but they have a grid tie inverter....

[EDIT: before I get their sales range wrong they do other things too but they do not seem to be aiming at grid tie systems]

5500 kW output at £1.5k or so. Just ten times too big for me!

gefnew

Hi back again so this is my next attempt at it.
Solis MINI 5G 0.7kW Solar Inverter - 1 Phase with DC (theoffgridengineer.co.uk)
Solis_Manual_mini(0.7-3.6)K_FN_5G_ENX_V1.0（20210113）.cdr (ginlong.com)

Heedtheadvice

One goes away for a night of pleasure and comes back to potential exitement!

Thanks for the further suggestion. Looks interesting, am investigating!

Heedtheadvice

Potential issue with above.

Suppliers web site says 2 x mppt but manual seems to indicate just one.

Have sent for clarification from supplier and response awaited. EDIT[Two weeks on and no response!!]

In the meantime can anyone help? I need to have 2 small strings for E / W orientation........or use blocking diodes (?, Schottky low fwd voltage types) one on each orientation......... or the 4 into 1 micros originally planned.

I would guess that the parallel connection of the orientation with blocking diodes would mess up good MPPT.

Heedtheadvice

At last. located a source for the Hoymiles 4 in 1 at a good price, not direct from a dubiously similar unbranded micro inverter from one of the many Chinese outlets. (not against Chinese manufacturer or sellers but apart from the seemingly cheap rubbish hardly worth the risks involved for very little cost reduction (10 - 15% only).

This is from the EU but without the horrendous delivery charges some have (hundreds of £££ ) or from IE who currently do not deliver to UK with all the protocol issues etc. (- thanks Boris!). Will happily post more details if delivered OK. Being an unknown source (to me) still possibly a small risk but I do not expect one.....!

Heedtheadvice

Delivered fine. Not a huge cost saving after all the 'tax' type of charges (still a saving though on advertised uk prices) and a big plus is that it was available.

Really chuffed as it is exactly what I wanted after reading many comnents on here (several threads) and matches the used panels I bought. Incidentally those are all working fine (tested) and I hope they do for another 20 years.

Thanks all who contributed directly or indirectly or unwittingly!