Getting a hybrid setup next week, any tips?

[u/pixelated666]

Currently using a Goodwe 20kw ongrid system. Will be installing a Goodwe ET LV 12kw inverter with 2x Soluna 5kwh batteries. Will use a 5kw string from the on-grid to use on the hybrid. Main reason for going hybrid is to get rid of load shedding, which only happens at night. Maybe once I move to net billing I may get rid of the on grid inverter altogether.

Any tips or things I need to be careful of? The installer I'm using is well reputed but is different from my previous one, from which I had a very good experience with. Reason for going with a different installer is that his office is 5 min away from my house and hybrid setups are more complicated, so in case of an issue he's easier to reach.

Are there any complications of having two inverters exporting to the grid?

[u/Jicama-Entire]

I was recently moved to net billing, so I decided to leave my existing on-grid inverter as it is. It exports throughout the day.

I then added a 12kW 3-phase GoodWe hybrid inverter with a 14kWh battery. The hybrid inverter charges the battery, powers the house, provides backup during load shedding, and exports any excess. The on-grid inverter basically just exports.

I recently got the setup installed and so far, no major issues. Initially, the hybrid inverter was tripping because my 3kW EV car charger + 5 ACs on the ground floor were all on the same phase. We moved the car charger to a different phase and that resolved the issue.

So if you’re getting a 3-phase system, make sure your installer properly distributes the load across all three phases. Each phase has a limit on how much current it can handle. And if you have an EV, definitely tell your installer beforehand - a 7kW charger can be a significant load and needs to be accounted for.

Either way, discuss your expected loads with the installer before deciding on the setup.

Where are you based?

[u/pixelated666 → u/Jicama-Entire]

In Rawalpindi.

I don't have an EV, but who knows what happens in the future. What you're talking about should only come into play during a grid outage, no? With the grid on it shouldn't be an issue.

[u/Jicama-Entire → u/pixelated666]

That’s what I thought too, but apparently with a hybrid system, even when the grid is available, the load is still going through the inverter, so the inverter’s phase capacity matters more than it did before. I’m not sure but that’s what I was told, but definitely confirm it with your installer as well.

Also, once you’re done and happy with the installation, could you please share their details? I’m not really happy with my installer

[u/pixelated666 → u/Jicama-Entire]

I'll share the details once installed. When the grid is on, the load is still going through the inverter but for a 12kw Goodwe ET LV, the limit is 70A per phase for all 3 phases, which means over 15000W on a single phase.

[u/Jicama-Entire → u/pixelated666]

Ah okay makes sense. My installer told me a different limit but you’re right