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Worth the extra? An AIO Comparison question

Rednecktek

Solar Wizard
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Messages
5,444
Location
On a boat usually.
OK guys, I'm looking at doing 2 systems and I'm torn between the MPP and the Growwatt versions. The Growatt has a definate price premium over the MPP and I'm curious what more I'm getting for that price premium?

Both systems will be on FLA or AGM batteries for whatever that's worth and purchased from Watt247.com.

System 1: 12v or 24v for lighting up my garden and storage sheds

MPP 1012LV-MS for $425
1000 VA / 1000W Inverter ·
12V DC to 120V AC ·
40A MPPT (maximum power point tracking) · – can be overpaneled up to 800W (Charging watts is controlled by the battery current setting)
120V Genset /Generator or Utility input to charge the 12 V battery at 20A

VS
PowMr 3000w Solar Inverter for about $550 or 3x the power for 25% more money (I know, it's a joke but could be a fun "toy" to play with)
Max.PV open circuit voltage100Vdc
PV operating voltage range35-100Vdc
MPPT voltage35-95Vdc
Max. PV Input Power1600W
Max.PV Input Current40A
Max.PV output power1400W

VS

Roll-Your-Own for about $150
1000w inverter, 60a MPPT (already have), 20a battery charger to utility power (already have). more work and more space for the components

System 2: My off-grid neighbor's whole house

MPP 3048LV-MK for about $690
3kW 120Vac 60Hz Pure Sine inverter output
48v DC to 120v AC
80A MPPT Charge controller , up to 4Kw of Solar input (60 to 115V DC Vmp)
Expandable up to 9 units

VS

Growatt SPF 3000TL for about $800
1)3000 W Pure Sine wave output expandable up to 6 units (18 kW)
2) 4.5kW MPPT Solar Charge controller
3) 60A 48V Utility Battery Charger (In case your battery level falls below your set point)
4) UPS function, wire it to the Utility power, if battery power is too low, the system automatically switches the load to Utility power
5) Single 120V 60Hz , Split phase (120V – 0 – 120V ) and 3 phase capable (includes parallel board for each unit)
6) Pure Sine wave output expandable up to 18 kW

So, what makes the Growatt worth the extra $100? It looks like the Growatt has another 500w of panel capability, but I'm not sure that's worth the money.

Your thoughts/suggestions/experiences?
 
Last edited:
OK guys, I'm looking at doing 2 systems and I'm torn between the MPP and the Growwatt versions. The Growatt has a definate price premium over the MPP and I'm curious what more I'm getting for that price premium?

Both systems will be on FLA or AGM batteries for whatever that's worth and purchased from Watt247.com.

System 1: 12v or 24v for lighting up my garden and storage sheds

MPP 1012LV-MS for $425
1000 VA / 1000W Inverter ·
12V DC to 120V AC ·
40A MPPT (maximum power point tracking) · – can be overpaneled up to 800W (Charging watts is controlled by the battery current setting)
120V Genset /Generator or Utility input to charge the 12 V battery at 20A

VS
PowMr 3000w Solar Inverter for about $550 or 3x the power for 25% more money (I know, it's a joke but could be a fun "toy" to play with)
Max.PV open circuit voltage100Vdc
PV operating voltage range35-100Vdc
MPPT voltage35-95Vdc
Max. PV Input Power1600W
Max.PV Input Current40A
Max.PV output power1400W

VS

Roll-Your-Own for about $150
1000w inverter, 60a MPPT (already have), 20a battery charger to utility power (already have). more work and more space for the components

System 2: My off-grid neighbor's whole house

MPP 3048LV-MK for about $690
3kW 120Vac 60Hz Pure Sine inverter output
48v DC to 120v AC
80A MPPT Charge controller , up to 4Kw of Solar input (60 to 115V DC Vmp)
Expandable up to 9 units

VS

Growatt SPF 3000TL for about $800
1)3000 W Pure Sine wave output expandable up to 6 units (18 kW)
2) 4.5kW MPPT Solar Charge controller
3) 60A 48V Utility Battery Charger (In case your battery level falls below your set point)
4) UPS function, wire it to the Utility power, if battery power is too low, the system automatically switches the load to Utility power
5) Single 120V 60Hz , Split phase (120V – 0 – 120V ) and 3 phase capable (includes parallel board for each unit)
6) Pure Sine wave output expandable up to 18 kW

So, what makes the Growatt worth the extra $100? It looks like the Growatt has another 500w of panel capability, but I'm not sure that's worth the money.

Your thoughts/suggestions/experiences?
Well, for what it's worth, The Growatt includes the parallel boards already installed. After shipping cost probably about $100 if purchased separately.
 
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