What are your thoughts on Sol-Ark inverters? Any experience with them?
Would you recommend them?
Yes, I saw some videos he posted of them. Was just seeing if users here have any experience with them since they are not talked about here.
I was planning to get a sunnyboy for the 6048 but after finding these sol-ark, I think they beat SMA on the low to middle class customers.
After a lot of research I choose the Outback Radian GS4048 which Sol-Ark leaves off their charts. The GS4048 allows for backup with micro inverters and throttling them back after you do the firmware upgrade.
Cost is $2,000 and per Kw it is 50 cents....The Sol-Ark is 73 cents per Kw.
Their load panel is not a requirement. This is DIY and individual breakers can be done for $100.
Gen start kit not required either. Most generators are just a contact closure and the generator controller starts and runs the generator which the GS4048 is capable of out of the box.
Mate 3 is required for setup....
Micro inverters are plugged into your critical loads panel and nothing else is needed but the firmware update.
This a lot cheaper 4k backup alternative if someone is interested and doesn't have $6k for the Sol-Ark....
The Sol-Ark is a great unit, but I couldn't justify that money for backup plus batteries.
You do have to have some batteries for the GS4048 to be able to run. I just did two Battle Born 24v in series.
Their load panel is not a requirement. This is DIY and individual breakers can be done for $100.
Gen start kit not required either. Most generators are just a contact closure and the generator controller starts and runs the generator which the GS4048 is capable of out of the box.
Mate 3 is required for setup....
Micro inverters are plugged into your critical loads panel and nothing else is needed but the firmware update.
This a lot cheaper 4k backup alternative if someone is interested and doesn't have $6k for the Sol-Ark....
The Sol-Ark is a great unit, but I couldn't justify that money for backup plus batteries.
You do have to have some batteries for the GS4048 to be able to run. I just did two Battle Born 24v in series.
RS485 and CAN bus are similar, but different animals. This is why it says CANBus or RS485.I was reading the specs on these SolArk's from here:
Sol-Ark 12K/8K Solar Panel Sizing Tool
Click to View The Panel Sizing Tool Solar Panel Sizing Toolwww.sol-ark.comSol-Ark 12K System UL1741Rule 21SA and HECO Approved | Sol-Ark
Sol-Ark 12K System UL1741Rule 21SA and HECO approved. next generation efficiency, splitphase, Grid Tied, Hybrid or Off-Grid.www.sol-ark.com
Then I saw this in its specs:
View attachment 6909
The very last line says "Communications to Lithium battery": "CanBus & RS485".
So, I believe that means it needs CANBus over an RS485 connection.
Many of the BMSs that @Will Prowse recommends do not state in their literature anywhere that I can see that they support CANBUS or anything that could interface with that. So I have a new question: which BMSs will work with this inverter well? Has anybody tried those? Is there some other interface box that is sold or that we can make that would do this (such as with a Raspberry Pi or something)? How are other people doing this? Any true information is really appreciated.
I went around this block with my installer and ultimately an Engineer at SolArk.I was reading the specs on these SolArk's from here:
Sol-Ark 12K/8K Solar Panel Sizing Tool
Click to View The Panel Sizing Tool Solar Panel Sizing Toolwww.sol-ark.comSol-Ark 12K System UL1741Rule 21SA and HECO Approved | Sol-Ark
Sol-Ark 12K System UL1741Rule 21SA and HECO approved. next generation efficiency, splitphase, Grid Tied, Hybrid or Off-Grid.www.sol-ark.com
Then I saw this in its specs:
View attachment 6909
The very last line says "Communications to Lithium battery": "CanBus & RS485".
So, I believe that means it needs CANBus over an RS485 connection.
Many of the BMSs that @Will Prowse recommends do not state in their literature anywhere that I can see that they support CANBUS or anything that could interface with that. So I have a new question: which BMSs will work with this inverter well? Has anybody tried those? Is there some other interface box that is sold or that we can make that would do this (such as with a Raspberry Pi or something)? How are other people doing this? Any true information is really appreciated.