Top 10 Inverters in South Africa Compared

Inverters serve a crucial role in transforming renewable energy into steady, useable current for appliances. Inverters are available in a variety of forms, sizes, and current input and output, ranging from 100 watts to 12,000 watts at high amp output. Off-grid inverters, house inverters, and inverters used for outdoor camping and touring are all examples of inverters designed for specific uses.

Here are the ten greatest house inverters available for purchase.

1. Voltronic Power – Axpert VM III 1.5/2.5/5 kVA
2. KODAK 5kW Off-Grid Inverter VMIII
3. Goodwe ES Series 3.6-6kVA – 100A Charger – Storage Inverter
4. 5kVA Off-Grid Inverter with Solar MTTP Charge Controller by Growatt
5. Color Victron EasySolar 48/5000/70 MPPT 150/100
6. Devel off-grid inverter SPE Hybrid Series
7. Off-grid inverter MECER Axpert MKS Hybrid 5kVA/5kW 4000W MPPT 48V PF1
8. SUN SYNK 5kVA Hybrid Inverter (Ellies Brand)
9. Axpert 5Kva VP 5kVA Solar Hybrid Inverter
10. MLT Oasis Charger Inverter 6kVA/48V

Voltronic Power – Axpert VM III 1.5kVA / 3kVA / 5 kVA

Axpert VM III is a new generation of inverters with fascinating new features such as a removable screen and Bluetooth that make it easy to monitor your power use in Hybrid mode or Off-grid mode when your PV array is connected. This particular inverter is offered in three variations ranging from 1.5kVA to 5kVA.

Home Inverter Specs:

LCD screen with multiple connection ports can be mounted up to 20 metres away from the inverter in an accessible location. For instance, you can install the inverter in your garage and run a network cable to your living areas, such as your kitchen and front foyer, for easy communication and to monitor your energy consumption. The LCD will display the current charging capacity from PV or grid and battery use.

Integrated Bluetooth that can interface with the Android app, the Watch power app is available in the Google Play Store, this will allow for monitoring, viewing of logs and changing of settings such as charging currents and battery types, as well as adjusting the priority of source power such as the Grid, PV, and battery.

The USB On-The-Go Function offers simple data imports and exports, and comprises of Log file data and the straightforward storing and deployment of inverter settings.

Replaceable Fan Design allows for fast and simple fan replacement.

In the absence of battery power, a battery-independent inverter may provide energy from PV or the grid.

This feature will assist in removing sulfation and optimising battery longevity.

Conclusion:

When the inverter is operating in Off-Grid mode and your batteries are fully charged, it will divert PV power directly to your consumption, for example, your home will run directly from the solar power, giving you the freedom to run the pool pump for three hours in the afternoon or use more power during the day for activities such as doing the laundry, vacuuming carpets, and all your other household activities requiring increased power.

Positives and negatives of Axper VM III

Pros:

• For an Inverter, it comes in a little package that delivers a powerful punch.
• Appearances Nice on the Wall
• Well Valued
• Well developed
• 80AMP MPPT Charger Integrated
• Compatible with several kinds of Li-Ion batteries.

Cons:

When under load or when charging from the sun, fans may be loud.

An electrician is required for installation

To setup for maximum battery life and energy performance, one must have a firm grasp of how energy consumption works.

KODAK 5kW Off-Grid Inverter VMIII

The KODAK Home Inverter has been upgraded to a new version; a tried-and-true Voltronic style, it is one of the most popular and reasonably priced inverters on the market.

It is essentially a Voltronic clone and has the same capabilities as the VMIII.

You will be able to monitor and modify your solar energy or load Shedding system in a manner identical to that of the Axpert VMIII, with slight modifications to the menu and app choices.

Conclusion

The Kodak is a Voltronic clone with some upgraded components and comparable components to the VMIII. It is also an outstanding inverter; the only difference is that its DC charging current is lower than that of the VMIII.

Positives and negatives of the Axper VM III / KODAK

Pros:

• Small Package at 17KG, somewhat larger than the VMIII.
• Appearances Nice on the Wall
• Affordable
• Well developed
• 40AMP MPPT Charger Integrated
• Compatible with several kinds of Li-Ion batteries.
• This inverter supports up to nine parallel units.

Cons:

• Similar to the VMIII, fans may be loud when under load or while charging from the sun.
• Want an electrician for installation?
• To setup for maximum battery life and energy performance, one must have a firm grasp of how energy consumption works.

Goodwe ES Series 3.6-6kVA – 100A Charger – Storage Inverter

The bidirectional energy storage inverter of the GoodWe ES series is also a hybrid inverter that is compatible with both on-grid and off-grid PV systems. It can intelligently regulate the flow of energy.

Throughout the day, the PV plant creates power that may be distributed to hundreds, sent into the grid, or used to charge the batteries.

The stored power is often released at night when there is demand for it. In addition, the facility grid may charge storage devices via the inverter.

Home Inverter Specs:

High Capacity for Charging and Discharging

Switching Over Delay for UPS Mode 0.01. When transitioning from grid to battery use, the latency is so brief that you cannot even tell the power went off, resulting in a continuous power supply.

IP 65 Waterproof Suitable for outdoor installation

Export control Simple installation and power return to the grid.

Pros:

• Small Size – Big Performance for Residential Inverters
• LooksNice on the Wall
• IP65 Rating
• Well developed
• Rapid Power Source Transfer
• Intelligently regulate the flow of electricity
• 100Amp MPPT Charger Integrated
• LOW Noise design (fan-less)

Cons:

• South African prices are on the expensive side.
• Want an electrician for installation?
• To setup for maximum battery life and energy performance, a comprehensive grasp of how energy consumption works is required.

5kVA Off-Grid Inverter with Solar MTTP Charger Controller by Growatt

The Growatt SPF 3000-5000TL HVM series Off-Grid Solar Inverter with AC input incorporates an MPPT solar charge controller with a transformerless design to deliver dependable power conversion in a compact form factor.

The Growatt is an excellent off-grid inverter; it has all the features necessary to endure load shedding.

If you are seeking for dependability, efficiency, and a reasonable price, the Growatt 5kVA is great, and its 5-year guarantee, which the bulk of off-grid inverters in this price range lack, makes it a considerably superior option.

It is compatible with the majority of Lithium and AGM batteries on the market, is simple to install and use, and has a sleek, contemporary appearance.

Principal Inverter Options:

• Built-in MPPT charging controller
• Priority configuration for grid or solar input
• WIFI/GPRS optional remote monitoring
• Parallel for scalability
• AC input available
• Robust
• Compatible with a variety of AGM and Lithium-ion batteries

Pros:

• Small Design
• Looks Nice on the Wall
• Well developed
• Rapid Power Source Transfer
• Intelligently regulate the flow of electricity
• 60AMP MPPT Charger Integrated
• Cost efficient

Cons:

• Need a specialist to assist you in designing your setup to meet your demands, and you must have a clear grasp of the energy consumption you need and use.

Color Victron EasySolar 48/5000/70 MPPT 150/100

The EasySolar combines an MPPT Solar Charge Controller, an inverter/charger, and AC distribution in a single shell. The inverter is simple to install and requires little cabling. There are two variants of the Victron EasySolar: 3000kVA and 5000kVA.

The colour LCD instrument display has two remarkable features:

1. Prioritizes battery charging via the MPPT charge controller that is capable of 70AMP charging.
2. Connects to the Internet, facilitating remote monitoring (VRM website).

AC distribution

The AC distribution system includes an RCD (30mA / 63A) and four AC outputs protected by two 10A and two 16A circuit breakers. AC input controls an additional 16A output; it will only switch on when AC is present.

PowerAssist

Unique PowerAssist technology prevents the utility or generator supply from being overwhelmed by supplying additional inverter power as necessary.

Unique solar application software

A number of software tools (Assistants) are available for configuring the system for a variety of grid interactive or standalone applications.

Home Inverter Specs:

• Integrated solar power solution with circuit breakers
• Color LCD Monitor for monitoring and setup.
• Overload protection for AC and Generators provided by PowerAssist.
• Compatible with several software packages from Victron.

Pros

• Well developed
• Rapid Power Source Transfer
• Intelligently regulate the flow of electricity
• 70AMP MPPT Charger Integrated
• Low noise levels
• Simple to install

Cons:

• Be cautious and use an electrician for installation
• Need a specialist to assist you in designing your setup to meet your demands, and you must have a clear grasp of the energy consumption you need and utilise.
• A little on the big side.
• Additionally, a weight of 48 kilogrammes
• Expensive, but of high quality.

Devel off-grid inverter SPE Hybrid Series

Combining an inverter with a solar charge controller and an AC charger, the SPE-S series is a professional hybrid solution for off-grid solar systems.

With the pure sine wave output, you can rely on the output regardless of the sort of coffee machine, microwave, television, satellite receiver, or other equipment you may be using.

The inverter chargers of the SPE-S series provide the optimal performance for home and business products.

This portable inverter combines the operations of an inverter, battery charger, and automatic transfer switch to provide uninterruptible power supply.

Its comprehensive LCD display provides user-configurable and easily accessible button operation, including battery charging current and allowable input voltage depending on various applications.

Home Inverter Specs:

• Pure sine wave output for motor and sensitive loads
• Integrated 80A MPPT solar charger, maximum. 4000 watts of photovoltaic input
• Smart LCD for setup
• Automatic transfer between Utility AC and Battery in less than 10 milliseconds as UPS
• Programmable AC Under-Voltage
• Gen starter delivers boost signal to start backup generator for emergency
• Battery optimization through equalisation function
• Support USB and RS485 monitoring through specialised software

Pros

• Highly developed
• Rapid Power Source Transfer
• Intelligently regulate the flow of electricity
• 80AMP MPPT Charger Integrated
• Compatible with array setups

Cons:

• Be cautious and use an electrician for installation
• Need a specialist to assist you in designing your setup to meet your demands, and you must have a clear grasp of the energy consumption you need and utilise.
• Expensive, but of high quality.

Off-grid inverter MECER Axpert MKS Hybrid 5kVA/5kW 4000W MPPT 48V PF1

A 4,000 MPPT solar charge controller is offered with MECER Axpert MKS to optimise and regulate DC power from the PV array for charging the battery bank.

Transformer-less design delivers small, dependable, and steady power conversion. Motor-type loads, such as refrigerators, motors, pumps, compressors, and laser printers, as well as electronic loads, such as televisions, desktop computers, and battery chargers, may be started without anxiety.

Home Inverter Specs:

• Pure sine wave output for motor and sensitive loads
• Integrated 80A MPPT solar charger, maximum. 4000 watts of PV input, 140 amps of AC input.
• Smart LCD for setup
• Automatic transfer between Utility AC and Battery in less than 10 milliseconds as UPS
• Programmable AC Under-Voltage
• Equalization of batteries to maximise battery performance and life-cycle
• Cold start capability
• Maximum parallel operation with nine units
• Parallel card and parallel wires are supplied

Pros

• Highly developed
• Rapid Power Source Transfer
• Intelligently regulate the flow of electricity
• 80AMP MPPT Charger Integrated
• Compatible with array setups
• Well Valued

Cons:

• Be cautious and use an electrician for installation
• Need a specialist to assist you in designing your setup to meet your demands, and you must have a clear grasp of the energy consumption you need and utilise.
• Warranty terms are exhaustive

SUN SYNK 5kVA Hybrid Inverter (Ellies Brand)

Sun Synk’s primary role is to efficiently control your home’s energy use, and it is also an excellent hybrid inverter.

Home Inverter Specifications and Features:

Inputs:

Pros

• Highly developed
• Rapid Power Source Transfer
• Intelligently regulate the flow of electricity
• 120Amp MPPT Charger Integrated
• Well Valued
• Weather resistant

Cons:

• Be cautious and use an electrician for installation
• Need a specialist to assist you in designing your setup to meet your demands, and you must have a clear grasp of the energy consumption you need and utilise.

Axpert 5Kva VP 5kVA Solar Hybrid Inverter

Its comprehensive LCD display enables user-configurable and easily accessible button operations such as battery charging current, AC/solar charger priority, and permissible input voltage to accommodate a variety of applications.

Home Inverter Specs:

• Inverter for pure sine wave solar energy
• Selectable charging current with high power
• Wide DC input range
• Variable input voltage range for household goods and computer systems
• Configurable AC/Solar input priority through LCD setup
• Compatible with household current or generator power
• Automatically restart when recovering
• Protection against overload and short circuiting
• Intelligent battery charger design intended to optimise battery performance
• Cold start capability

Pros:

• Smart Battery Charger for improved battery performance
• Overload Security
• Wide DC Input Range
• Anti dust kit
• Pure sine wave inverter from the sun

Cons:

• Be cautious and use an electrician for installation
• This unit cannot be paralleled; it operates alone.
• Need a specialist to assist you in designing your setup to meet your demands, and you must have a clear grasp of the energy consumption you need and utilise.

MLT Oasis Charger Inverter 6kVA/48V

The Oasis inverter family provides a cost-effective and dependable option for households and farmers with inconsistent or no grid electrical supplies.

The inverter runs on low-voltage DC and is based on a transformer, which translates to a safe and dependable solution that ensures reliable power in the roughest situations and circumstances.

Home Inverter Specs:

• Rated Voltage / Frequency 1 microampere / 230 volts / 50 hertz
• Power Output Rating 6 kVA / 6 kW
• Input Voltage Range 185 .. 250 V
• Input Frequency Spectrum 42. 65 Hz
• Ambient Temperature -5 .. 45 °C
• Ambient Transport Temperature -25 .. 70 °C
• Maximum Ambient Temperature for Rated Power is 40 degrees Celsius.
• Non-Condensing Relative Humidity 5.. 85%
• Maximum Rated Power Altitude One thousand metres above sea level (Power derated for High Altitude)

Pros:

• The Oasis inverter is excellent for off-grid applications in which the renewable energy source is directly connected to the batteries.
• The Oasis transforms battery power to clean AC electricity that may be used by the load.
• The internal battery charging capability enables the use of a backup generator or the power grid without the need for additional battery chargers.
• Full-Color Touch Screen 4.3-inch Liquid Crystal Display Event records for the previous 24 hours of source power, load power, and battery state of charge.
• Designed for severe situations.
• Based on a 1-phase transformer.
• Low-voltage DC 48V.

Cons:

• Be cautious and use an electrician for installation
• This unit is unable to parallel. It is an independent unit.
• You need an expert to assist you build your setup to meet your objectives, and you must have a comprehensive grasp of energy usage, your needs, and your intended use.
• Weight 57Kg

Conclusion

The 10 finest Off-Grid inverters listed above are an excellent alternative if you want to go green and do your bit to assist the environment. While saving money on your power bill is a benefit, there are many other factors to consider.

A potential disadvantage of establishing a solar system is the cost of equipment and panel installation, which might exceed R100 000.00

Once you have invested in Off-grid solar, your return on investment will begin, and in certain situations, you will see a return on investment within the first four years.

You will have power when load shedding begins, you will be watching television and doing the laundry during a power outage, and your lights will be shining.

All of the above-mentioned inverters have similar settings and features, and their specifications are very close to one another. It is important to have a qualified electrician do your high voltage connections and install proper ground termination, as Solar PV systems are dangerous and improper installation can result in electrical shock or even death.