Does anyone know about a micro inverter with a CT clamp that can limit the export of power back to the grid and supports 500W panels? (idealy 4 panels but 2 would do too) that is available in South Africa
I had a look at the ellies but it seems like it only supports 2x 300W panels and the industry now has 400-500W panels as standard. Seems like they forgot they need to update with the times. A friend of mine bought a chinese micro inverter on aliExpress with 4x600W inputs, but it does not have a CT clamp (he uses it on the generator port of his Deye inverter) and it works well. The Deye has the ability to use the power without exporting to the grid
I am thinking that something like this will be ideal to put on every house to save on electricity costs in SA, it also does not need a lot of wiring so it would be a lot cheaper to install with a much quicker ROI
The problem with this is, I still need PV cables, PV box, surge arresters, PV fuses etc, and space to mount the inverter. With a micro inverter I simply need to add an AC switch
True, but from what I looked at last year, as I also could not find Micro inverters that fit the new range of panels, the smaller ranges where out of stock.
With smaller panels, one could get them but the cost overall was more expensive if memory serves, compared to a Solis inverter, which is connected to the output, in my case Victron, inverter.
My 2 cents.
EDIT: Once one looks at the total cost for all the parts, the microinverters need a “brain” to connect to, it gets interesting. Solis needs a dongle for example.
Ps. Problems are opportunities dressed in overalls.
I was about to ask about the Hoymiles. I believe they (and Enphase) has this capability, but you must use then also use the “manager” box that comes with it. Hoymiles calls theirs the “DTU”, and it has zero-export capability. Enphase redirects me to a sales page for SA and there are no links to see what products are available… so their website fail means I cannot look this up for you. Sorry
Thanks, you are right
Looking at the specs you could probably overpanel with a 450W panel and most of the time you should be able to get the 1500W output.
I found zero local prices on a DTU so I guess nobody installs these microinverters.
If I really have to buy a DTU then I am better off with a solis
Father in law asked if it would be possible to cheaply install 4 panels without too much wiring so that they can save on electricity costs even if only during the day. With the looming price increases it makes sense to check what could be good options and payback periods. I suspect the payback will be at least 5 years depending on future increases. Loadshedding makes it very difficult to calculate a ROI/possible savings
They are on the Cape Town list, so someone went to a lot of trouble to get them there. There is however a note related to the lower-end MI models indicating that you will need an external anti-islanding solution. A Ziehl UFR-1001E in other words, which adds even more costs (around 4k as I recall).
Get the Solis. It’s going to be your cheapest option.
I suppose if the inverter output power is less than the base load, you should be okay.
I’ve used a MI1200 (still have it somewhere in the garage) with 4x365w panels and I used to get 1200w out for most of the day. I had it ac coupled to the sunsynk before I got another sunsynk.
It’s around 400 euro if you buy directly from a large supplier, but then… the exchange rate slipped a LOT since I bought mine in 2016-ish. It is indeed around 14k now, if you buy locally.
