What's the best solar-related item you bought in 2023?

[Will Prowse]

Something should be done. Like I said, it isn't technically lying but misleading so going into civil court won't get you far.

With your audience, you would be in a better position to influence changes. I'm just some little guy in Timbuktu, IA.

I would consider the 18Kpv but given the misleading name, I'll just go elsewhere. About the only thing a little guy from Timbuktu, IA can do. EG4 has some good products and I've stated as such, some were turds and I stated as such. I give anyone a fair chance in life, whether they decide to shine or lay down in the gutter is up to them.

Every inverter on every house I own is rated by the PV input. If it is grid interactive, isn't that the common method? If you have a homeowner looking at grid interactive inverters, why would it be rated any other way?

If you have off-grid specific inverter like victron etc, they are always rated by the AC output. Or the 6000xp. Or any other.

 

[Zwy]

Every inverter on every house I own is rated by the PV input. If it is grid interactive, isn't that the common method? If you have a homeowner looking at grid interactive inverters, why would it be rated any other way?

If you have off-grid specific inverter like victron etc, they are always rated by the AC output. Or the 6000xp. Or any other.

Hybrid-grid assist then needs a different naming method.

What is misleading? It says 18kpv. PV means photovoltaic, and that's what the rating is for. I still don't see the issue. I'm pressing others like yourself to do something about it because I don't see any issue at all. Have you purchased other grid tie or hybrid inverters? They are all rated by the PV input.

I'm not giving you a pass, even you referred to it as the 18K, there wasn't any "pv". https://diysolarforum.com/threads/w...ted-item-you-bought-in-2023.74951/post-954317

Everyone leaves off the pv so the uninformed think it is 18Kw output.

 

[featherlite]

UART to USB I bought from Overkill

I ordered one.
Thank you.

 

[Partimewages]

READ THE SPECIFICATIONS SHEET BEFORE BUYING!
Anytime I didn't it usually cost me.

 

[Hedges]

Sunny Boy 7.7 US-41

AC nominal power 7680 W
Max PV power 12320 Wp

https://files.sma.de/downloads/SBxx-US-DS-en-41.pdf

Maybe the Germans are just more honest.
(If they don't work for Volkswagen)

 

[timselectric]

What is misleading? It says 18kpv. PV means photovoltaic, and that's what the rating is for. I still don't see the issue. I'm pressing others like yourself to do something about it because I don't see any issue at all. Have you purchased other grid tie or hybrid inverters? They are all rated by the PV input.

Technically 18kpv is accurate. But still misleading because most people are not used to it. "Inverters" are rated and named for their AC output.
While one can say that a grid-tied (PV only inverter) is rated and named for its PV input. The PV input is the same as its AC output to the grid or loads. So in reality it's the AC output.
I'm not saying that they don't exist. But I'm not aware of any other hybrid AIO that is rated or named for its PV input. (Maybe they are just not mainstream and well known)
It's obvious that the 18kpv name was purely a marketing tool.
But the biggest issue is when people choose to drop the "pv" , when talking about it. They are misrepresenting the product. And misleading readers as to what it is.

 

[Quattrohead]

But the biggest issue is when people choose to drop the "pv" , when talking about it

You know we all talked about you behind your back and decided this was the best way to wind you up LOL

 

[Quattrohead]

Every inverter on every house I own is rated by the PV input. If it is grid interactive, isn't that the common method? If you have a homeowner looking at grid interactive inverters, why would it be rated any other way?

If you have off-grid specific inverter like victron etc, they are always rated by the AC output. Or the 6000xp. Or any other.

Haven't thought about it this way. It clarifies many naming convention issues.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Every inverter on every house I own is rated by the PV input. If it is grid interactive, isn't that the common method? If you have a homeowner looking at grid interactive inverters, why would it be rated any other way?

A pure grid tie OUTPUTS the claimed AC power.

A hybrid OUTPUTS the claimed DC power, not AC.

Big difference.

Regardless...

I have zero patience or sympathy for someone affected by this "misleading" designation.

Read the fucking specifications. If you don't, or you don't understand them, you don't have any business DIY.

This is from a guy who's paid for his own dumb DIY mistakes. 100% my fault for not understanding the specs.

 

[Will Prowse]

Technically 18kpv is accurate. But still misleading because most people are not used to it. "Inverters" are rated and named for their AC output.
While one can say that a grid-tied (PV only inverter) is rated and named for its PV input. The PV input is the same as its AC output to the grid or loads. So in reality it's the AC output.
I'm not saying that they don't exist. But I'm not aware of any other hybrid AIO that is rated or named for its PV input. (Maybe they are just not mainstream and well known)
It's obvious that the 18kpv name was purely a marketing tool.
But the biggest issue is when people choose to drop the "pv" , when talking about it. They are misrepresenting the product. And misleading readers as to what it is.

I see what you mean. Good point

 

[Will Prowse]

A pure grid tie OUTPUTS the claimed AC power.

A hybrid OUTPUTS the claimed DC power, not AC.

Big difference.

Regardless...

I have zero patience or sympathy for someone affected by this "misleading" designation.

Read the fucking specifications. If you don't, or you don't understand them, you don't have any business DIY.

This is from a guy who's paid for his own dumb DIY mistakes. 100% my fault for not understanding the specs.

Good to know. And yes read the material. I can't imagine someone buying a diy device before knowing every single spec on the unit.

 

[Cuemaker]

(16) Eve 3.2v 280ah cells for my 48v solar system.
Absolutely no comparison between AGM & Lithium.
WOW! best upgrade I made in 2023 by far!

 

[ksmithaz1]

12,000W AC (*1.67) = 20,000VA? I have a 20KVA inverter. Sometimes a number just needs to thought of as a number, not representative of anything in particular.

Gotta say my #1 purchase was all the solar period. Including my EG4 18KPV/12LV. My system has been running now for over 6-months, and I have been very pleased thus far. ROI is about where I guessed, and the independence factor cannot be assigned a value. My 2024 goal is to finish my ground mounts, then upgrade those panels from 250W to 350ish, I'd like to keep the 40" wide form-factor. Then a small outbuilding for the power system and migrate all my stuff into it, finally adding another 30-60KWH of battery.

 

[JWLV]

EG4 doesn't offer an 18k inverter.

I didn't say it was an 18kw inverter. I said I wanted an EG4 18k inverter, you know, the 18k gold one they sell only to VIPs.

 

[MisterSandals]

the 18k inverter

18k is 18 kilo

18K is for 18 Karat, the measurement system of the level of purity, primarily i think, for gold.

Units have meanings. If you use the wrong units and there is a misunderstanding, it's on you.

 

[Danke]

18k is 18 kilo

18K is for 18 Karat, the measurement system of the level of purity, primarily i think, for gold.

Units have meanings. If you use the wrong units and there is a misunderstanding, it's on you.

I call it the 55k inverter.

 

[timselectric]

I just call it "the great mistake of 2023".

 

[chilly2]

Adding batteries to my setup this year was the best and worst thing.

Best because all of a sudden the excess generation I couldn't use was no longer wasted.
Best when the power went out the panels weren't useless.
Best because it taught me exactly how far 5kWh of battery will go after sunset.

Worst because it taught me exactly how far 5kWh of battery will go after sunset, and now I wish I had at least 15-20kWh.

Better save the pennies.

 

[SeaGal]

18k is 18 kilo

18K is for 18 Karat, the measurement system of the level of purity, primarily i think, for gold.

Units have meanings. If you use the wrong units and there is a misunderstanding, it's on you.

Or... 18K is for 18 Kelvin... maybe that's the temperature you have to super-cool that inverter to, to get the advertised output

 

[JWLV]

Adding batteries to my setup this year was the best and worst thing.

Best because all of a sudden the excess generation I couldn't use was no longer wasted.
Best when the power went out the panels weren't useless.
Best because it taught me exactly how far 5kWh of battery will go after sunset.

Worst because it taught me exactly how far 5kWh of battery will go after sunset, and now I wish I had at least 15-20kWh.

Better save the pennies.

When you get 20kWh, you'll want 40kWh, and then...

I started with 10, now I have 30. But I want 60. After that I'll have to move the cars out of the garage and fill it up with all batteries.