GXMnow
Solar Wizard
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2020
- Messages
- 2,703
I searched a bit on here and Google looking for what is out there. I still want to add a few more solar panels to my system, and I am torn between DC coupling or more Enphase microinverters and just adding to my existing AC coupling setup. One of my big reasons for not going DC has been the added cost of needing Arc Fault Protection now. But then I saw that there are now some charge controllers and inverters that have the Arc Fault detection built in.
Both Outback and Midnight Solar have added this to their top line of solar charge controllers, but they are now pushing close to $1,000 and they still won't talk to my existing system, so I will need another monitoring app. The Schneider charge controller is cheaper, but adding Arc Fault protection adds another $600+ to the cost. The Sol-Ark inverters now have Arc Fault protection built in, but they are very expensive for their power ratings. I know they are based on Deye inverters, and other companies rebrand them as well. I don't actually need another inverter, but if I did attach one of these all in one style units onto one of my battery banks, I would have a complete portable solar power station. The battery cabinets are already on wheels. When it is in my home, the batteries parallel together, and the solar input of the all in one could charge the batteries. But I could unplug the system with the All In One unit, take it ut, and use it is a backup power supply, or even give a charge to an EV off the inverter.
So here is my question...
Do any of the smaller Growatt, MPP, PowMr, or other lower cost All In One hybrid or even off grid inverters have built in Arc Fault Protection like the So-Ark? The inverter output will never be grid tied. 99% of the time, I won't even be using the AC output. But I might end up using it as the power source for a Plug In Hybrid or EV car in the future. That way I can charge from just stored solar. I think even US market cars would work just fine from a single phase 230 volt source. So an EU model should work, but I would want 60 Hz. I can always use an autotransformer to drop it to 115 volt if needed. At my house, the Schneider will still be my Split Phase 120/240 inverter. The All in One will mostly just be a solar charge controller.
Any ideas for an inverter that fits this plan?
Both Outback and Midnight Solar have added this to their top line of solar charge controllers, but they are now pushing close to $1,000 and they still won't talk to my existing system, so I will need another monitoring app. The Schneider charge controller is cheaper, but adding Arc Fault protection adds another $600+ to the cost. The Sol-Ark inverters now have Arc Fault protection built in, but they are very expensive for their power ratings. I know they are based on Deye inverters, and other companies rebrand them as well. I don't actually need another inverter, but if I did attach one of these all in one style units onto one of my battery banks, I would have a complete portable solar power station. The battery cabinets are already on wheels. When it is in my home, the batteries parallel together, and the solar input of the all in one could charge the batteries. But I could unplug the system with the All In One unit, take it ut, and use it is a backup power supply, or even give a charge to an EV off the inverter.
So here is my question...
Do any of the smaller Growatt, MPP, PowMr, or other lower cost All In One hybrid or even off grid inverters have built in Arc Fault Protection like the So-Ark? The inverter output will never be grid tied. 99% of the time, I won't even be using the AC output. But I might end up using it as the power source for a Plug In Hybrid or EV car in the future. That way I can charge from just stored solar. I think even US market cars would work just fine from a single phase 230 volt source. So an EU model should work, but I would want 60 Hz. I can always use an autotransformer to drop it to 115 volt if needed. At my house, the Schneider will still be my Split Phase 120/240 inverter. The All in One will mostly just be a solar charge controller.
Any ideas for an inverter that fits this plan?