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Comparison between Growatt SPF 5000 ES 5kVA & KODAK Solar Off-Grid Inverter 5.6kW

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Hi all. I want to start upgrading my small 12v system early in the new year and was looking to purchase a 48v off grid inverter to start with. I was looking for a system that I could run without batteries at this stage and have seen the above 2 models.

I am unfortunately not in a position to spend thousands of Rands and was just wanting to know which of the two units would be best on a limited budget.

I am not too familiar with Growatt, but the Kodak is just an Axpert IV V which can work as a grid tied unit. I will say, I have seen installations with the Axpert without batteries and the only real issue with that kind of setup is if you have multiple inverters in parallel. If you are only going to have a single unit with a couple panels, it should job just fine. Although, I will say, most people start off with a single battery and fewer panels and upscale the PV over time. Without batteries you are more likely to run into issues supporting your load. With at least one battery, you have reserves to draw from if your panels cannot support your entire load.

 

However, if you have enough panels in place to run your entire load and a little extra then you should be fine running a system without batteries at all.

  • Author
2 hours ago, Psy said:

I am not too familiar with Growatt, but the Kodak is just an Axpert IV V which can work as a grid tied unit. I will say, I have seen installations with the Axpert without batteries and the only real issue with that kind of setup is if you have multiple inverters in parallel. If you are only going to have a single unit with a couple panels, it should job just fine. Although, I will say, most people start off with a single battery and fewer panels and upscale the PV over time. Without batteries you are more likely to run into issues supporting your load. With at least one battery, you have reserves to draw from if your panels cannot support your entire load.

 

However, if you have enough panels in place to run your entire load and a little extra then you should be fine running a system without batteries at all.

Hi Thanks, I have a mix match of 7 panels 100w & 120w (12v)  1 300w panel and three 100 a gel batteries running on pwm to 600w pure sine wave inverter and one 200a 12v lion battery running on 2 mppt inverters to a 2000w pure sine wave inverter. This basically just keeps laptops running, a fridge and freezer and  a few lights and tv in the .evening.

I was now hoping to repurpose some of the panels to start with and then upgrade as and when during next year.

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