What does the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter offer on paper?
EG4 Electronics lists the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter as a split-phase hybrid unit rated for 12000 W of continuous AC power at 240 V. For short bursts, it is rated at 15500 W of surge for up to 300 s. Its LRA rating is listed at 180 A.
CEC efficiency is listed at 96.9 %, and the warranty runs 10 years. The listed certifications are UL1741, SA, SB, PCS CRD.
| Power and capacity | |
|---|---|
| Continuous AC output | 12000 W |
| Surge output | 15500 W |
| UPS switchover (max) | 20 ms |
| Solar charging | |
| Max solar input | 18000 W |
| Size and moving it | |
| Width | 20.5 in |
| Height | 34.3 in |
| Weight | 121 lb |
| Temperature and warranty | |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Product | Best current price | Watts per dollar | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| EG4 Electronics 18kPV Hybrid Inverter | $4,747.52 at A1 SolarStore | 2.53 W/$ | #2 of 5 |
| MidNite Power MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger | $5,650.23 at A1 SolarStore | 2.02 W/$ | #4 of 5 |
| EG4 Electronics FlexBOSS18 Hybrid Inverter | $3,919.55 at A1 SolarStore | 3.32 W/$ | #1 of 5 |
| Sol-Ark Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter | $6,099.15 at A1 SolarStore | 2.46 W/$ | #3 of 5 |
| Sol-Ark Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter | $4,699.50 at A1 SolarStore | 1.92 W/$ | #5 of 5 |
How big and heavy is it to mount?
At 121 lb, it lands in the heavy (over 50 lb) class. The case stands 34.3 in tall, 20.5 in wide and 11.2 in deep.
Plan on extra hands and a solid wall before you hang any heavy inverter. The enclosure is rated NEMA 4X, and the listed operating range runs from -25 C up to 60 C.
How much solar can you connect to it?
EG4 Electronics rates the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter for up to 18000 W of solar input, with a recommended array size of up to 21000 W. It is listed with 3 MPPT inputs that track from 140 V to 500 V. The highest PV input voltage is 600 V.
Panel voltage climbs on cold mornings, so size each string with winter in mind. Rapid shutdown support is marked yes on the specification sheet.
Which batteries work with it?
It is listed for lead-acid or lithium batteries with a 48 V nominal bank. The battery voltage window is 40 V to 60 V.
Charge and discharge current are both rated up to 250 A. Check that your battery can supply the current your loads will draw, not just the voltage.
What happens when the grid goes down?
Its listed switchover maximum is 20 ms, which places it in the 20 ms or less group. Generator input and grid sell back are both marked yes.
Loads that cannot tolerate any interruption need their own checks on switchover time. If one unit is not enough, it is rated for up to 10 in parallel.
Where does its price rank on value?
It ranks #2 of 5 on value in this article, at 2.53 W/$ and a new price of $4,747.52 at A1 SolarStore. Only the FlexBOSS18 Hybrid Inverter does better, at 3.32 W/$ and #1 of 5.
Watts per dollar rewards raw output, so weigh it against the features you will really use.
Where does it trail the other models?
At 121 lb it is heavier than the MidNite Power MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger at 101.85 lb and the Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter at 78 lb, though lighter than the Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter at 135 lb. Its listed maximum of 20 ms is longer than the 4 ms Sol-Ark lists for the Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter and the 5 ms for the Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter.
Its listed figures are 12000 W continuous, 18000 W of solar input and 15500 W of surge for up to 300 s. It lists lead-acid or lithium batteries, while the Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter and Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter list lithium.
Who is the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter for?
The 18kPV Hybrid Inverter lists 18000 W of solar input and takes lead-acid or lithium banks, while both Limitless units list lithium. If your budget is the main limit, compare value figures before you look at extras.
Buyers who run gear that cannot drop power for even a moment should put switchover time near the top of the list.
How does the FlexBOSS18 Hybrid Inverter differ?
The FlexBOSS18 Hybrid Inverter is the cheaper EG4 Electronics model at $3,919.55, against $4,747.52 for the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter. It is rated for 13000 W continuous where the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter is rated for 12000 W. Its listed surge is 20000 W for 0.5 s, against 15500 W for 300 s for the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter.
It lists 2 MPPT inputs where the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter has 3. The nominal battery is 51.2 V instead of 48 V, and the parallel limit is 16 units instead of 10.
What does the Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter add?
Sol-Ark rates the Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter at 15000 W continuous and 19500 W of solar input. Its listed switchover maximum is 5 ms, compared with 20 ms for the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter.
At A1 SolarStore it is listed for $6,099.15, and it weighs 135 lb and lists lithium batteries. On value it sits at #3 of 5 with 2.46 W/$.
How does the MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger compare on weight?
MidNite Power lists the MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger at 101.85 lb, against 121 lb for the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter. It is rated for 11400 W of continuous AC power, or 10000 W from the battery alone. Its MPPT range starts at 70 V, where the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter starts at 140 V.
The case is NEMA 3R rather than NEMA 4X. Priced at $5,650.23, it ranks #4 of 5 with 2.02 W/$.
Why look at the Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter?
At 78 lb, the Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter is the lightest in this group, where the others weigh 101.85 lb, 115 lb, 121 lb and 135 lb. Its listed switchover maximum is 4 ms, against 5 ms for the Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter.
At A1 SolarStore it is listed for $4,699.50 with 9000 W continuous, while the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter is listed for $4,747.52 with 12000 W. That leaves it last on value, at #5 of 5 and 1.92 W/$.