Thread: Hybrid inverters for grid/grid failure set ups

Whats your set up?

Thanks Sir Going Bush.

Felt a few might like to consider a discussion on issues, costs and cons on the power and energy at home, work.

I have two fridges full of stuff that needs to be stored above 2 and below 8 degrees. Power bothers me to the tune of 15 to 20 thousand dollars. As a kids a days power outage on a farm saw a whole large freezer wast 300kg of beef and 3 pigs. It was my pigs so ouch for me even as a kid.

Solar power is useless if the grid fails usually. That's due to legal requirement for solar export to stop when the grid fails to avoid killing our helpful linesmen repairing faults. Hybrid inverters can allow Solar PV to remain on if the grid fails by isolating the site from the grid while its down. That's great as long as the power use in the site is below the solar PV. Not so good at all if building

My trip with this over the last five days is a interesting contrasts. Work has solar, 20khw of batteries and Battery power Inverters which allow everything to work during grid outages. Home as the same Solar with a normal inverter.
Power out on Friday night was as usual a PITA at home. Solar would not have helped as it was dark anyway. Work did not even notice the several small power outages. About 2000 homes and business did not get the power back for a few days

Yesterday during the day tens of thousands of people lost power for between 20 minutes to a few hours. Work was not off while home schooling was offline at home

A company I was looking at claimed it would sell a product which just worked with out you needing to really work out what we need. I think that unlikely as little topics like Electric/Gas hot water, Air conditioning and Fridges and even Microwave ovens and kettles which can be short sharp high load items have all been items I have had to change or fix to make my work system avoid disruptions. Not being a battery thread as thats covered elsewhere. One loud 'musky' battery Brand has a integrated inverter charger which could be included.



Hybrid or equipment that allows Grid/Off Grid my list, ratings and comment
Goodwe Hybrid inverter 8.75/10 Surprisingly good, Great value. Possible extra external power source required if battery issues while no solar
Sunnyboy Inverter 8/10 Bullet proof but required to shut off if the grid fails
Victron Multiplus 9/10 Very effective and scalable. A little complex and some constraints


Only one hit wonder in above was a goodwee hybrid. S.M.A. who make SunnyBoy have a hybrid as well. The Victons, I have two in parallel, are not a solar inverter so I need another inverter or battery charger between them and the Victrons. All have pros and cons.