Sol-Ark 15K FAILED! - My experience with Sol-Ark ; Their response was underwhelming

[robby]

I have seen this issue quite often! (Installer here, FYI for others...) @robby , don't you ever feel ashamed of yourself for continuing this thing of "talking up" Sol-Ark???

Nope I am an EE and I own one, so if I think the product is getting a bad rap unfairly I will step in and say something.
Is that against the law?

And Mr Miller are you not Ashamed that you keep on Bashing Sol-Ark equipment and yet you claim to have sold over 200 of these defective Inverters and then say you would love to switch but don't trust the other brands.
Why don't you grow some kind of Moral compass and stop selling Sol-Arks and sell something else if you think they are so defective?
At least I am not making money off of people selling a product I don't believe in.

It is a well-known fact that the 12Ks have imbalanced leg load issues! There are quite a few videos out on YouTube anymore showing just this! And I could give you quite a few customer instances where we ran into this issue!

Oh really. So why is it that I and many others have been able to take one leg up to 4500 Watts of imbalance and actually take photos of it? In David Poz video it trips instantly.

As an installer, the options for reputable "bulletproof" inverters that are "sell" capable for the US market is dwindling. Few check the boxes, when you torture test. In the AIO world, none check the boxes when you look for programmability! Eg4 comes close to checking most boxes, but I am still seeing too many random issues! So we continue installing Sol-Arks......

Stop selling them and sell the Grid Boss and Flex Boss. Trust me I have heard that Sol-Ark would be super happy if you left.
Hundreds of Installers buying from Sol-Ark and somehow everyone at the company seems to know you.
Yeah I heard about you the moment I bought up the Gen Shaving issue with my Friend at Sol-Ark. "Oh that guy, yeah we know him"

I am frustrated with Sol-Ark! But I see no value in switching brands until I find a different brand that is actually better! Different, but with it's own issues, is not worth learning a new platform.....

Sell Tesla Inverters, they are reliable.

 

[robby]

Got proof of that? I mean, that's a pretty serious accusation to make.

Yeah read the gazillion page thread. James comes out and admits he sent him the Inverter and Poz admits he did not update it.
His YouTube channel took an instant dive after that and James stopped sending him new products to review.

 

[Brucey]

Stop selling them and sell the Grid Boss and Flex Boss. Trust me I have heard that Sol-Ark would be super happy if you left.

Wow cmiller is making so much noise online that it's coming up during your weekly reputation management call with solark management? Fascinating that you do all this for free.

 

[robby]

Wow cmiller is making so much noise online that it's coming up during your weekly reputation management call with solark management? Fascinating that you do all this for free.

Brucey while you are working on the Inverter Washing Machine I suggest you take some time to read something before you once again come off sounding like an idiot.
He had a "Gen Shaving" issue and I told him that I would call the Senior Tech I knew at Sol-Ark and ask about it.
You can read all about in another thread.

 

[Brucey]

Brucey while you are working on the Inverter Washing Machine I suggest you take some time to read something before you once again come off sounding like an idiot.
He had a "Gen Shaving" issue and I told him that I would call the Senior Tech I knew at Sol-Ark and ask about it.
You can read all about in another thread.

OK here's another guy talking about a dealer whos no longer selling solark at all, is that cmiller as well?

A

Post in thread 'Which brand inverter?'

Feb 12, 2025

Two Sol-ark 15k has long history.
Eg4 gridboss w/ two flexboss21 is new, and I would go with that. Much easier to install.

I was talking to a solar installer/vendor friend of mine earlier this week.
He used to be a Sol-ark dealer...no longer.
The 12k's are well-known to have lot's of problems. And they are not really standing behind the warranty very well, sometimes not at all. He has lost customers and friends over the issues.
The 15k's are better but he is reporting that they are not performing as advertised.
On top of that it is his feeling that Sol-ark may be slipping into...

• AH Trimble

 

[Dr.Jekyll]

If the LF guys want to sell more units, they need to make it as simple as Sol-Ark/EG4.

With the HF stuff, I buy one thing and it gives me (for better or worse):
A "200A" ATS (the quotes are a separate topic)
19.5k on 3 MPPTs
275A 48V Battery
120A Output

I tried looking at the LF guys. I really did. But I gave up trying to find all of the various parts I would need to complete my setup. I'm sure you guys could've led me in the right direction had I discovered this forum in time.

But the LF guys need a "configurator" or something that gives a shopping cart or a list of products to buy to replicate all of the parts of a HF.

 

[Crowz]

If the LF guys want to sell more units, they need to make it as simple as Sol-Ark/EG4.

With the HF stuff, I buy one thing and it gives me (for better or worse):
A "200A" ATS (the quotes are a separate topic)
19.5k on 3 MPPTs
275A 48V Battery
120A Output

I tried looking at the LF guys. I really did. But I gave up trying to find all of the various parts I would need to complete my setup. I'm sure you guys could've led me in the right direction had I discovered this forum in time.

But the LF guys need a "configurator" or something that gives a shopping cart or a list of products to buy to replicate all of the parts of a HF.

Actually the tp6048's I have do all of that when run in parallel for less money.

 

[BentleyJ]

Sounds like you are talking about Schneider. Due to the weight of just the inverter it would be impractical to put additional components like 1 or 2 MPPT Charge Controllers in the same enclosure. BTW. the Conext Configuration Tool is no longer needed as all the menu items are available on the Insight Home or Facility.

 

[Dr.Jekyll]

Sounds like you are talking about Schneider. Due to the weight of just the inverter it would be impractical to put additional components like 1 or 2 MPPT Charge Controllers in the same enclosure. BTW. the Conext Configuration Tool is no longer needed as all the menu items are available on the Insight Home or Facility.

Not sure who you are referring to.
If me, I'm not suggesting they have to go in the same enclosure. I'm just saying if they want to sell more parts and compete with the AIO guys, they need to offer a configurator that outputs a shopping list.

 

[robby]

OK here's another guy talking about a dealer whos no longer selling solark at all, is that cmiller as well?
View attachment 278942

A

Post in thread 'Which brand inverter?'

Feb 12, 2025

Two Sol-ark 15k has long history.
Eg4 gridboss w/ two flexboss21 is new, and I would go with that. Much easier to install.

I was talking to a solar installer/vendor friend of mine earlier this week.
He used to be a Sol-ark dealer...no longer.
The 12k's are well-known to have lot's of problems. And they are not really standing behind the warranty very well, sometimes not at all. He has lost customers and friends over the issues.
The 15k's are better but he is reporting that they are not performing as advertised.
On top of that it is his feeling that Sol-ark may be slipping into...

• AH Trimble

How many times you going to post that same clip?

 

[Dr.Jekyll]

Actually the tp6048's I have do all of that when run in parallel for less money.

Great. It would take 3 of them to match the same PV input and battery as the big AIO.
But its not clear how putting those between my 200A disconnect and my 200A panel works. In the manual, they just show them somehow connected to "grid" and "load". Can I use a combiner box with fusing? Do all the lines need to be rated for 200A?

Again, I'm not saying it can't be done. It clearly can. I merely pointing out that the reason I went HF, was that it was straightforward. Show me a d*** picture that includes everything I need in the official documentation/website.

 

[Brucey]

I tried looking at the LF guys. I really did. But I gave up trying to find all of the various parts I would need to complete my setup. I'm sure you guys could've led me in the right direction had I discovered this forum in time.

But the LF guys need a "configurator" or something that gives a shopping cart or a list of products to buy to replicate all of the parts of a HF.

Current Connected have pretty good ones for Victron, at the 10kVA and 20kVA sizing. Make sure you are logged in with free account to see the discounted prices.

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Our 20kVA 120/240V Industrial Off-Grid Power System is the perfect solution for those who want to live off the grid without sacrificing any of the comforts of home. With its powerful pair of Victron Quattro 10k Inverter/Chargers, you can run all of your essential appliances and equipment, even...

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[Brucey]

How many times you going to post that same clip?

As long as you continue to ignore that it exists?

 

[Shawn Hayes]

Why not take credit card info during this call? Why would both the customer and the vendor hang up the phone on Friday after agreeing to the $3k credit card hold without getting a credit card?

This just seems odd.

It was the same for me. Agree to send a replacement inverter to me on one call, then someone else called back for CC info for $3000 deposit for replacement inverter.

 

[Brucey]

It was the same for me. Agree to send a replacement inverter to me on one call, then someone else called back for CC info for $3000 deposit for replacement inverter.

Presumably tier 1 technical support aren't able to take cc payments so another person has to handle.

 

[robby]

As long as you continue to ignore that it exists?

A guy who has 10 posts and make a statement about his friend who use to be a dealer but is no longer a dealer because Sol-Ark 12K are unreliable is laughable. Then he goes on to further state that Sol-Ark is in financial problems lol.
Sol-Ark Landed a Huge Multi Million Dollar contract in 2024
Costco EV Charging
Charged EV's Article

 

[robby]

It was the same for me. Agree to send a replacement inverter to me on one call, then someone else called back for CC info for $3000 deposit for replacement inverter.

Yes and all that guy needs to do is ship out the Inverter. He has made one post and left, so we do not know what happened from there.

 

[Shawn Hayes]

Maybe I’m crazy for doing this, but out of five Sol-Ark 12K inverters, yes, I’ve had five Sol-Ark 12K’s. Only ONE of the five worked flawlessly WITHOUT some sort of issue.
My first two were some of the original models, the inverter would trip when small items/appliances were used, even with NO LOAD!!!!
Two new models were installed in Oct 2023.
One of the two is the one that has worked flawlessly from day one. The other one has a glitch, after they had me open up a brand new inverter, change out the motherboard and some software updates, it continue to do the same thing. Then a replacement inverter was sent out and it did the exact same thing. I was told that this replacement was a brand new inverter. Maybe it was, but the main screen had no plastic film over it, as a new one typically did, the screen was badly scratched. It looked like someone had turned it upside down, face down on a table and slid it around.
I was told there would be an “update” to possibly fix the issue.
I’ve checked back with Carlos for several months (Edit: Oct 2023 until March/April 2024) to see if there was a fix or update, not yet, we’re working on it….
after months of trying, I finally gave up. It does run, but it still has the glitch but does not operate correctly. And when I say correctly, it’s sister on the wall next to it, operates correctly with no issues, and no glitches.
Part of me gave up, because I don’t know if I want more software updates trying to fix this problem. My experience has been software updates typically create other issues even if they fix the one they’re trying to. That’s why I have used solar assistant for years and gotten away from the Sol-Ark Wi-Fi dongle’s. Some people will say the new Sol-Ark app works great. Maybe it does, but it also looks like, from another thread on this forum currently, that my SolArk app or something there of, created issues for a bunch of Sol-Ark owners.
I will say, however, recently, I’ve been considering getting rid of my Sol-Ark’s, and getting something else. However, I don’t have a clear direction on what I would prefer to have.

 

[Brucey]

A guy who has 10 posts and make a statement about his friend who use to be a dealer but is no longer a dealer because Sol-Ark 12K are unreliable is laughable. Then he goes on to further state that Sol-Ark is in financial problems lol.
Sol-Ark Landed a Huge Multi Million Dollar contract in 2024
Costco EV Charging
Charged EV's Article

A "huge multi million dollar contract" for four small charger canopies? Lol is that it?



OK let's break it down, for each of four canopies it has:

One 60k sol-ark - $18,805 - https://www.currentconnected.com/product/sol-ark-60k-3p-480v-commercial-inverter/

24×EndurEnergy Systems ESP-5K HL batteries, 12 per rack -$2670 each, $64080 - https://www.ecodirect.com/EndurEner...ge-Battery-Module-p/endurenergy-esp-5k-hl.htm

Rack for batteries×2: $1538×2, $3076 - https://www.ecodirect.com/EndurEnergy-Systems-ESP-R12-E-Battery-Rack-p/endurenergy-esp-r12.htm

Two high voltage bcu: $1110, $2220 - https://www.ecodirect.com/EndurEnergy-High-Voltage-Battery-Control-Unit-p/endurenergy-esp-bcu.htm

Total for each canopies 60kW inverter, batteries, control units, racks:

$88,180

Not including the canopy structure or enclosure or the pv charger or panels.

Total for four structures is $352,720

Of which $18805x4=$75,220 is actually sol-ark equipment

If only Sol-Ark would take care of the poor bastards who spent just the little peanuts of $7000-$9000 each on their residential units.

Multi millions...delusions continue.

 

[Daddy Tanuki]

Great. It would take 3 of them to match the same PV input and battery as the big AIO.
But its not clear how putting those between my 200A disconnect and my 200A panel works. In the manual, they just show them somehow connected to "grid" and "load". Can I use a combiner box with fusing? Do all the lines need to be rated for 200A?

Again, I'm not saying it can't be done. It clearly can. I merely pointing out that the reason I went HF, was that it was straightforward. Show me a d*** picture that includes everything I need in the official documentation/website.

so it seems to me without somebody holding your hand every step of the way you cannot DIY? is this not what you are saying? maybe DIY is not for you?

 

[Brucey]

I’ve checked back with Carlos for several months to see if there was a fix or update, not yet, we’re working on it….

I may be mistaken but my understanding is Carlos is no longer with sol-ark.

 

[Oldphile]

@robby I agree with you that Sol-Ark is more than a cloned Deye. It pisses me off when the naysayers that have never seen the inside of a Sol-Ark say it is just a cloned Deye. But please stop defending Sol-Ark support. It's not what people from 2 years ago claimed it to be. That's been my experience and not what this thread shows.

If you have any influence please tell Sol-Ark to WTFU.

 

[Shawn Hayes]

I may be mistaken but my understanding is Carlos is no longer with sol-ark.

He may not be. In late 2023 and early 2024, we worked on this problem. When I emailed him, I always got a response. Like I said, in the previous post, at some point, I gave up when it looked like they were not going to fix the glitch in my inverter.

Edit: I gave up trying to email Carlos or even reaching out to Sol-Ark. It just appeared to me that either they didn’t know what was going on or did know what was going on and refuse to fix it. Maybe they don’t know how or it was too costly for the company, but either way it doesn’t matter, they have yet to fix the problem no matter what the answer is.

 

[Shawn Hayes]

It's not what people from 2 years ago claimed it to be. That's been my experience and not what this thread shows.

If you have any influence please tell Sol-Ark to WTFU.

My experience……This thread and many other too.

 

[Norwasian]

A guy who has 10 posts and make a statement about his friend who use to be a dealer but is no longer a dealer because Sol-Ark 12K are unreliable is laughable. Then he goes on to further state that Sol-Ark is in financial problems lol.
Sol-Ark Landed a Huge Multi Million Dollar contract in 2024
Costco EV Charging
Charged EV's Article

So you think someone with 10 posts is "laughable" because they make a reference to a friend who just happens to frown upon your favored product. I think your criterion is "laughable."

I appreciate input from all sides. It's up to me to determine how much is instructive and how much is meaningless carping.

Yes and all that guy needs to do is ship out the Inverter. He has made one post and left, so we do not know what happened from there.

Because someone posts infrequently does not mean he or she "has made one post and left." Some are actually busy or haven't the opportunity to be online regularly. I have a friend here in Thailand who gets online perhaps a few times in a month--usually all in the same week of the month. The rest of the time, he is in the mountains beyond the reaches of cell phone signal and internet connectivity. If he were to have made a post here, I would hope you would not characterize it as a "post and run" scenario just because it was not immediately followed by another post.