Suggestions on choosing an inverter?

I recommend considering the Bougerv series for solar inverters. They're known for their reliability, efficiency, and user-friendly interface, making them a popular choice among solar enthusiasts.

Moderator edit: I removed his first ad link and asked him not to post such links, he came back and edited out my comment and re-inserted the link, so he is now banned. Another reason to avoid this brand in my opinion. Thank you to the member who flagged the post.

I've not heard of Bougerv inverters. I'll look at them, thanks.

Hmmm, Ive never heard of em and Im a solar guy

Well, it's been about a year since I posted any updates, so I guess one might be due.

I still haven't made a final decision on the inverter. But right now I'm strongly considering the EG4 18KPV. In fact, I've become something of an EG4 fanboy, as I also plan to buy one of their 48V wall-mount batteries, as well as their Chargeverter.

I spent most of 2023 studying the NEC 2020 to get a really good handle on how I need to do things in order to pass an inspection. I've also looked much deeper into local laws and what my options are as far as how to design and operate my system. Also, my priorities have changed a little as I've learned more about all this.

Between the Emporia Vue, and the PUD's digital energy meter, I have a year's worth of energy usage data for both the whole house and specific circuits that I plan to power with solar.

So here's my new list of requirements for the inverter:

• Split phase 240V 60Hz: At this time, so many companies have one of these available, there's really no excuse for companies that don't.
• NEC 2023 compliant: This means more than just being listed by a safety lab.
• Outdoor rated: Turns out I don't have room inside for the inverter, so it will have to go outside. Also, this solves a bunch of NEC compliance headaches instantly.
• Hybrid: Able to accept power from both solar and battery, as well as other AC and DC sources.
• Multimode: Able to function as a grid-interactive and standalone inverter.
• Inverter efficiency: DC to AC conversion must be at least 90% efficient.
• THD: Total harmonic distortion must be published, and must be 3% or less.
• Load sharing: The inverter must be able to draw on multiple sources of power simultaneously to meet load requirements.
• Grid passthrough: The inverter must be able to send at least 60A from the grid to the load center.
• Idle power: The inverter must consume less than 100W while at idle.
• Price: Approximately $5k or less.
• Availability: Must be available for purchase in the US.

The plan still remains to install things in stages. In fact, stage 1 is nearly finished. I have the new sub panel installed as well as the transfer switch, breaker, and inlet for a generator. I still have to clear a spot for the generator and make some kind of weather protection for it. So I haven't bought it yet. I've also not yet moved the desired circuits over to the new panel. Except for the washing machine. I've got some construction work to do elsewhere in the basement before I can start moving circuits over.

Stage 2 is still the inverter and battery, along with a bypass switch and shutoff so I can route electricity from the service panel to the sub panel if the inverter were to have some kind of issue. Once I get to this point, I'm strongly considering re-routing the generator circuit so it charges the battery directly. So I may also install an EG4 Chargeverter.

Stage 3 is adding the solar panels. This one is still up in the air (no pun intended) as I've found out the local building codes require an engineered mounting system for the panels. Which means I have to hire an engineer to design it. I don't know yet how much that's going to hurt financially.

I've given up on trying to make this project have financial sense. All the legal requirements have grown my ROI to at least 26 years. I wasn't originally planning to sell power back to the PUD, but it looks like I'm going to have to in order to limit the monetary damage.

Anyway, I've drawn up some scale picture of what the system would look like:
Slide3.JPGSlide4.JPG

EG4 just came out with an indoor version of their wall mounted battery. I haven't updated these pictures with that version yet. It's slightly narrower, which will be nice since my space is still cramped even with the inverter going outside.

They look like cheap Chinese products market by 20-somethings unfamiliar with the technology. The website is full of "information" like this, in the battery-to-AC inverter section:

"Will a 12 volt inverter work with a 24 volt solar panel? No, a 12V inverter will not be compatible with a 24V solar panel. You will need a 24V inverter to work with a 24V solar panel. It is important to match the voltage requirements of your solar panel and inverter to ensure proper functioning of your system."

The product manuals are pretty amusing. Here's the extent of their advice on the cabling between the battery and 2000W inverter:

"4. The battery end needs to be installed with insurance, which is selected according to
the inverter input rated current of 2-2.5 times"

No mention of wire sizes or fuses. The inverter "rated input current" is not mentioned in the manual, but we can guess what it would be at 2000 watts! I do like the part about insurance though.

Edit: I just tried to call them, well within their business hours, and got "You have reached a customer whose voice mailbox has not been set up yet"
I'd steer clear of these guys and get something from an established company like Victron.