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his guide is to help select a suitable OFF-GRID<\/strong> or HYBRID<\/strong> solar inverter from our product line.\u00a0 Before selecting an inverter, please be sure to consider these important questions first.<\/p>\n We offer 3 main types of inverters in terms of output voltage: Off-Grid inverters are defined as the inverter is only able to draw power from grid for backup, when it becomes necessary.\u00a0 Power flow to AC input is therefore one-directional.\u00a0 Hybrid inverters however are able to extra power to grid when there is surplus PV power and therefore power flow to AC input is bi-directional.\u00a0 It’s important to recognize that all Hybrid inverters can operate as Off-Grid inverters, but not vice versa. This can be determined by performing a simple load analysis by adding up all the power consumption rating of all your load type.<\/span>\u00a0 When collecting power draw from inductive type load such as motors, pumps, compressors, power tools etc it is important to make sure you factor in the surge peak draw during startup to avoid under-estimation.\u00a0 Select an inverter with power output LARGER than the total load power required\u00a0 EX. if total load estimated = 4000w, we recommend using a 5KW inverter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n Once a suitable inverter model is determined, it will have a fixed corresponding DC voltage (or system voltage) in either 12V, 24V or 48VDC<\/span>.\u00a0 Users will need to prepare a battery bank voltage matching this. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n For best compatibility, lead-acid type batteries are recommended and Gel or AGM maintenance-free types are most popular.\u00a0 Many lithium-type batteries (with built-in BMS – Battery Management System) are also very popular in recent years and can work with our inverters, and compatibility can be confirmed in 2 ways: with or without BMS communication.\u00a0 With BMS communication you will need to select an inverter with built-in BMS port, and also ensure that the battery’s BMS protocol is supported on the inverter.\u00a0 The most common BMS brands we support are Pylontech, WECO, Soltaro, as well as LIB (which is MPP Solar protocol). Third party BMS may adopt the LIB protocol from us to ensure compatibility.\u00a0 One may also opt to skip BMS communication by manually adjust the charging settings on the inverter to match with the requirement of the battery.\u00a0 This is typically done by changing “Bulk \/ Float Charge” to the max charging voltage<\/span> of the battery and “Low Cut-Off Voltage” to its minimum voltage<\/span>.<\/p>\n In terms of battery capacity this is expressed usually in Amp-Hour (Ah) and the appropriate size of the battery bank would depend on the energy demand of your system so this can vary greatly from one application to another<\/span>.\u00a0 There’s no fixed answer.\u00a0 Normally we suggest no less than 100Ah on our 2-3kw\/24v inverters and 200Ah minimum for our 5kw\/48v inverters.\u00a0 More information can be found in our Off-Grid System Sizing Guide here<\/a>.<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n\r\n No.\u00a0 It is not required, though recommended.\u00a0 BMS standards for battery monitoring system and is a software protocol found mostly on Lithium-type batteries to carefully control charging and discharging of a battery without causing damage to itself.\u00a0 \u00a0Most, if not all, of our inverters offer programmable charging voltage and this is fine to use with some Lithium batteries without the use of BMS connection.\u00a0 However, in a BMS-required situation, protocol compatibility is mandatory and so it is advisable for users to confirm if an inverter is actually compatible with your BMS system before purchase.\u00a0 \u00a0BMS compatibility is often “brand specific”<\/strong><\/span> and some of our inverter models support Lithium BMS systems such as Pylontech, Weco, and Soltaro. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n\r\n The quick and simple answer is “none”.\u00a0 Inverter output power and solar power are two different concepts and should not be confused together.\u00a0 Solar power is merely a source of input power which can be used by the inverter for powering load or charging battery.\u00a0 It is completely optional.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0Every model of our inverter has a specific solar controller rating and it determines how much maximum solar power it can deliver.\u00a0 \u00a0For example, 3024MSE inverter has a 3kw max power output to load, but it comes with a 40A MPPT so based on 24v system voltage the max PV power = 1KW (Power Law). <\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n There are pros and cons to both types of built-in solar charger.\u00a0 MPPT is of course the newer technology of the two and is able to convert high PV input voltage without significant loss of solar power; however it is slightly more costly.\u00a0 PWM type solar charger is more economical and when paired with the right specs of panel, it can just work as well as MPPT. \u00a0 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n Yes. It is perfectly ok to run all our Off-Grid inverters without any grid input.\u00a0 Generators may be used but be careful not all of them are compatible and accepted by the inverter.\u00a0 We recommend using cleaner output genset like the “inverter-type generators”\u00a0 and also be sure to size genset properly (recommended 150% or larger than inverter rating) to avoid power deterioration when load level increases.\u00a0 For more details, please see genset requirement guide<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n There are wired and also wireless monitoring options. Should you require more information please click on each model name for more information, or contact our Sales Team<\/span><\/a> for assistance.<\/p>\n\r\n
<\/span>What output voltage do I need?<\/strong><\/h2>
\n220-240V Single Phase<\/strong>:<\/span> Europe, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and many parts of Asia.
\n110-120V Single Phase (low voltage)<\/span>\uff1a<\/strong>North America, Latin America and some parts of Asia.
\n120\/240V Split Phase:<\/strong> <\/span>(same as above) this standard typically coexists with 110-120V Single Phase.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n<\/span>Off-Grid or Hybrid?<\/strong><\/h2>
\nImportant: when selecting hybrid inverters, be sure to check for any local certification required for legal compliance.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n<\/span>How much power do I require?<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/span>What system voltage do I select?<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/span>What type of battery should I use? And how big?<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/span>Is BMS required for Lithium batteries?<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/span>How much solar power do I require to use your inverter?<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/span>MPPT or PWM?<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/span>I do not have access to grid and only have generator. Is this ok?<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/span>What monitoring options are available with MPP Solar inverters?<\/strong><\/h2>
\nBy default, all inverters come with a bundled data cable and one can monitor inverters via direct PC connection to inverter through USB or RS232 port.\u00a0 In the absence of a USB port, one can use a RS232-USB adaptor t to establish connection.\u00a0 Monitoring on PC will be either SolarPower or WatchPower, depending on the model of the solar inverter.\u00a0 Another way to monitor inverters is via SNMP module<\/span><\/a> (sold separately) and this basically makes your inverter identifiable on a LAN network so it can be monitored in this environment.\u00a0 For wireless monitoring, one can either go with WIFI module<\/span><\/a> (monitoring on smartphone APP), or WIFI box<\/span><\/a> (monitoring on PC browser at a portal site).\u00a0 Both are optional accessories available for order.\u00a0 Several newer solar inverter models alread come with built-in WIFI, so this is a very convenient feature if one wishes to monitor on phone APP, without having to source external module. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n\r\n<\/ul>\n