Hybrid inverter now and batteries later?

[BobAloVskI]

I am in the process of building a house. As part of the build, we are putting solar panels on the house. The builder does not supply a battery system that is adequate for what we want. However, they do offer putting in a hybrid inverter to be "battery ready".

So the two scenarios I can go with are:
1) Standard inverter with the build and getting the hybrid inverter and battery system post build.
2) Hybrid inverter with the build and just the battery system post build.

Can you just replace a standard inverter with a hybrid inverter or will it need re-wiring back to the panels?

What are the pros and cons with each option? Option 1 will probably cost more but I will get my choice of Hybrid Inverter.

I do not have any specific brand/models at this stage. It is all conceptual.

The build will be in Australia if that makes any difference.

 

[DIYrich]

Option 2, but make sure the hybrid is battery agnostic. You don't want a hybrid that uses expensive batteries.

 

[SeaGal]

So the two scenarios I can go with are:
...
Option 1 will probably cost more but I will get my choice of Hybrid Inverter.

Well, I'd go with Option 3...

3) Have a solar specialist (or DIY if you are into DIYing) to do the solar install and not rely on a "builder" to provide you with an inverter that you imply you have no choice over.

 

[alexander88]

Option 2. You know, this installation procedure is easier and gives you immediate energy storage benefits. While it may be more expensive at first, having a complete solar and storage system from the beginning may provide ease and peace of mind. Good luck!

 

[Solar Guppy]

Depends on if the Hybrid inverter can use generic batteries or requires closed communications with a small, selected and approved manufactures.

The life cycle of most hybrid storage options ( if not tier one ) is measured in months, and then products are replaced by something new, there is no guarantee one can later purchase compatible storage. Solax, Generac, Solis off the top of my head would be examples of this problem. Same if firmware ( software the inverters run on ), manufactures typically don't support bug fixes when they no longer sell the products.

My take is either build what you need or don't, half measures can have all sorts of issues beyond an individual's control.

 

[BobAloVskI]

Option 3 would be ideal and what I was wanting to get. However, in Australia, there are water, thermal and energy requirements to which a build must comply. Doing the solar panels as part of the build would guarantee our build would pass. They could not guarantee it would pass without it being part of the build. So I chose to go with the former rather than wasting potential time and money getting the house approved without.

I was able to get the info about what will be installed as part of the build...

Solar Panels are Jinko Neo Series Tiger NEO 54 HL4 (13 kW system).

Hybrid Inverter is SolaX X3-Hybrid-10.0T.

I looked up some information and reviews on both the panels and inverter and everything seemed quite positive. Although I'm never sure who is writing the reviews and their motivations.

 

[DIYrich]

Hybrid Inverter is SolaX X3-Hybrid-10.0T.

If I read the specs right, the inverter uses 160-800 volt battery. Fund out how much batteries will cost you. Might be cheaper to do option 1 with 48v batteries.

 

[BobAloVskI]

If I read the specs right, the inverter uses 160-800 volt battery. Fund out how much batteries will cost you. Might be cheaper to do option 1 with 48v batteries.

After a little bit of research, lower voltage batteries are cheaper to install. However, they are less efficient and do not last as long as a higher voltage battery system.

I will have a bit more of a look into different options of low voltage systems compared to higher voltage systems. Weigh up cost and other factors to see which system is the best for us.

Edit: Removed statement of low voltage batteries not lasting as long.

 

[SeaGal]

After a little bit of research, lower voltage batteries are cheaper to install. However, they are less efficient and do not last as long as a higher voltage battery system.

Interesting - do you have some links to back up that longevity claim?

 

[Solar Guppy]

After a little bit of research, lower voltage batteries are cheaper to install. However, they are less efficient and do not last as long as a higher voltage battery system.

There is no difference in the longevity of LV vs HV battery configurations, it is simply more cells in series, that's it. What is different is availability and compatibility, LV wins every time for this. HV wins for marginal savings in wire, that's about it

 

[DIYrich]

There is no difference in the longevity of LV vs HV battery configurations, it is simply more cells in series, that's it. What is different is availability and compatibility, LV wins every time for this. HV wins for marginal savings in wire, that's about it

HV may also be more efficient at converting battery power to AC. If battery voltage is above AC Voltage, then no need to buck boost the voltage.

 

[Tulex]

2 - I went with the Sol-Ark 15k and DIY batteries. Had to wait a few months to add the batteries.

 

[BobAloVskI]

Interesting - do you have some links to back up that longevity claim?

I went searching for it again it turns out what I thought was false. I read that low voltage battery systems have more batteries and which will require more setup and potential troubleshooting. I inferred that also meant decreased longevity.

So it boils down to...if I go with option 2, I am locked into higher voltage batteries. If I want low voltage batteries, I will get a low voltage inverter and batteries post build.

Thank you for everyone's posts so far. I am learning a lot about battery systems .

 

[DIYrich]

With option 2, figure out which inverter you will eventually use, and make sure the string configuration and rapid shutdown down (any electronics installed on the roof) are compatible with it.

You don't want the string voltage too high or low for the replacement inverter, otherwise you will have to rewire.