What does the EG4 Electronics 12kPV Hybrid Inverter offer on paper?
The EG4 Electronics 12kPV Hybrid Inverter is a hybrid unit rated for 8000 W of continuous AC output at 240 V. It takes up to 12000 W of solar input and has a 48 V nominal battery voltage. Output is split phase.
EG4 Electronics marks grid sell back, generator input and rapid shutdown each as a yes. The warranty runs 10 years.
| Power and capacity | |
|---|---|
| Continuous AC output | 8000 W |
| Surge output | 16000 W |
| UPS switchover (max) | 20 ms |
| Solar charging | |
| Max solar input | 12000 W |
| Size and moving it | |
| Width | 20.5 in |
| Height | 29.5 in |
| Weight | 110 lb |
| Temperature and warranty | |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Product | Best current price | Watts per dollar | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| EG4 Electronics 12kPV Hybrid Inverter | $3,036.50 at A1 SolarStore | 2.63 W/$ | #2 of 5 |
| Sol-Ark Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter | $4,699.50 at A1 SolarStore | 1.92 W/$ | #5 of 5 |
| EG4 Electronics 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter | $1,898.27 at A1 SolarStore | 3.16 W/$ | #1 of 5 |
| MidNite Power MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger | $5,650.23 at A1 SolarStore | 2.02 W/$ | #4 of 5 |
| MidNite Solar Little Rosie MNLR4548RE Inverter/Charger | $1,709.36 at A1 SolarStore | 2.63 W/$ | #3 of 5 |
How big and heavy is the 12kPV?
It weighs 110 lb, and EG4 Electronics gives the size as 29.5 in tall, 20.5 in wide and 11.2 in deep. That puts it in the heavy (over 50 lb) weight class.
The case carries a NEMA 4X rating, and the operating range runs from -25 C up to 60 C.
How much solar can this inverter handle?
Solar input tops out at 12000 W, and EG4 Electronics recommends an array of no more than 15000 W. There are 2 MPPT inputs with a tracking range of 120 V to 500 V, and the highest PV input voltage is 600 V.
The solar input rating is the most power the inverter will take from the array.
Which battery specs does it list?
EG4 Electronics lists lead-acid or lithium as the battery types. The battery side runs at 48 V nominal, within a range of 40 V to 60 V.
Charge and discharge current both max out at 167 A.
What happens when the grid goes down?
EG4 Electronics lists a switchover to backup power of 20 ms at most. That places it in the 20 ms or less UPS switchover speed group. For motor starts, EG4 Electronics lists a surge of 16000 W for 0.5 s and a locked rotor rating of 195 A.
Generator input is also a yes. Surge rating matters for loads with motors, such as pumps and compressors.
Is the 12kPV a fair price for the watts?
On watts per dollar, the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter ranks #2 of 5 at 2.63 W/$, behind the 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter at 3.16 W/$. That figure comes from its price of $3,036.50 at A1 SolarStore. Its CEC efficiency is 96.4 %.
Watts per dollar shows how much output each dollar buys. It leaves out solar input, warranty and features, so weigh those as well.
Where does it do well, and where does it fall short?
It meets the large-load mark of 2000 W or more of continuous AC output and the switchover mark of 20 ms or less. It can also link up with as many as 10 units in parallel.
One thing to plan for is weight, since it sits in the heavy (over 50 lb) class. EG4 Electronics lists these certifications: UL1741, SA, SB, PCS CRD.
How does the Sol-Ark Limitless stack up?
The Sol-Ark Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter puts out more power, 9000 W against 8000 W for the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter, but it costs $4,699.50 at A1 SolarStore. That gives it 1.92 W/$ and a rank of #5 of 5, below the 2.63 W/$ of the EG4 Electronics unit.
It is lighter at 78 lb versus 110 lb, and Sol-Ark lists a switchover of 4 ms. Sol-Ark lists lithium as its battery type.
Which product here gives the most watts per dollar?
The EG4 Electronics 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter ranks #1 of 5 at 3.16 W/$, ahead of the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter at 2.63 W/$. It sells for $1,898.27 at A1 SolarStore.
It lists 6000 W of continuous output and 8000 W of solar input, against 8000 W and 12000 W for the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter. Its warranty is 5 years, its case is rated IP20, and its operating range starts at 0 C.
What sets the MidNite MN15 apart?
The MidNite Power MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger lists 11400 W of continuous output, or 10000 W from battery alone. It has 3 MPPT inputs that track from 70 V to 550 V.
At $5,650.23 from A1 SolarStore, it comes to 2.02 W/$ and ranks #4 of 5. It weighs 101.85 lb and stands 37.4 in tall.
Why look at the Little Rosie?
The reason to look at the MidNite Solar Little Rosie MNLR4548RE Inverter/Charger is weight, since it is 15 lb and in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class. It gives single phase power at 120 V, with 4500 W of continuous output. It costs $1,709.36 at A1 SolarStore and matches the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter at 2.63 W/$, ranking #3 of 5.
MidNite Solar lists a 4 ms switchover and a surge of 6750 W for 5 s. Split phase output and single phase output serve different kinds of home wiring.