What does the MidNite inverter offer on paper?
The MidNite Power MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger is a hybrid inverter rated for 11400 W of continuous AC output. This review walks through its size, solar input, backup and value, then the rivals buyers weigh it against. It puts out split phase power at 240 V.
It runs on a 48 V battery bank. MidNite Power answers yes on grid sell back, rapid shutdown and generator input.
| Power and capacity | |
|---|---|
| Continuous AC output | 11400 W |
| UPS switchover (max) | 20 ms |
| Size and moving it | |
| Width | 16.54 in |
| Height | 37.4 in |
| Weight | 101.85 lb |
| Temperature and warranty | |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Product | Best current price | Watts per dollar | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| MidNite Power MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger | $5,650.23 at A1 SolarStore | 2.02 W/$ | #4 of 5 |
| EG4 Electronics 18kPV Hybrid Inverter | $4,747.52 at A1 SolarStore | 2.53 W/$ | #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 12kPV Hybrid Inverter | $3,036.50 at A1 SolarStore | 2.63 W/$ | #1 of 5 |
| Sol-Ark Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter | $6,099.15 at A1 SolarStore | 2.46 W/$ | #3 of 5 |
How big and heavy is it?
It weighs 101.85 lb, which puts it in the heavy (over 50 lb) class. The case is 37.4 in tall, 16.54 in wide and 9.52 in deep.
It has a NEMA 3R enclosure rating and is rated to work from -25 C to 60 C.
How does it take in solar and charge a battery?
It has 3 MPPT inputs that track from 70 V to 550 V. The PV input tops out at 600 V, and MidNite Power recommends an array of up to 15000 W. It can charge and drain the battery at up to 210 A.
It takes lithium or lead-acid batteries, from 40 V up to 64 V. Check the voltage of each panel string against the tracking range before you order panels.
What happens when the grid goes down?
The MidNite is rated for a switchover of 20 ms or less. When it runs on battery alone, MidNite Power rates the output at 10000 W.
For long outages, size the battery bank for the loads you plan to keep on.
How much power do you get per dollar?
It gives 2.02 W/$ at its current new price of $5,650.23 at A1 SolarStore. That puts it at #4 of 5 among the inverters in this article.
Where is it strong, and where does it fall short?
Its high points are a warranty of 10 years and support for up to 9 units in parallel, and its low point is a value rank of #4 of 5. The listed certifications are UL1741 3rd 2021, IEEE1547a 2018/2020, UL1741SB.
Its listed switchover maximum of 20 ms is also higher than the 4 ms maximum listed for the Sol-Ark Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter. At 101.85 lb, it is also heavier than the 78 lb Sol-Ark Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter.
Who is the MidNite best for?
It is built for a 48 V battery bank and is rated for 11400 W of continuous AC output, which puts it in the large-load group of 2000 W or more of continuous AC output. It takes lithium or lead-acid batteries and has 3 MPPT inputs.
Buyers who put value first should weigh its rank of #4 of 5. If watts per dollar comes first, read the rivals below before you decide.
How does the larger EG4 Electronics model compare?
The EG4 Electronics 18kPV Hybrid Inverter costs less than the MidNite, at $4,747.52 against $5,650.23, and earns 2.53 W/$ for a rank of #2 of 5. It accepts up to 18000 W of solar input, and EG4 Electronics recommends an array of up to 21000 W. That is more than the 15000 W array MidNite Power recommends for its unit.
Output is a bit higher too: 12000 W of continuous AC output against 11400 W. The catch is weight, at 121 lb against 101.85 lb for the MidNite. It has a NEMA 4X enclosure and a CEC efficiency of 96.9 %.
Is the smaller EG4 Electronics unit the value pick?
Yes: the EG4 Electronics 12kPV Hybrid Inverter ranks #1 of 5 at 2.63 W/$. Its current new price at A1 SolarStore is $3,036.50. The trade is power, since it is rated for 8000 W of continuous AC output against 11400 W for the MidNite.
It has 2 MPPT inputs where the MidNite has 3, and it weighs 110 lb. A smaller inverter can make sense if your loads are modest and you want to save up front.
Which rival is lighter with a lower listed switchover?
Sol-Ark lists a switchover maximum of 4 ms for the Sol-Ark Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter, against a 20 ms maximum listed for the MidNite. It is the lighter box too, at 78 lb against 101.85 lb. Yet Sol-Ark rates it for only 9000 W of continuous AC output.
At a current new price at A1 SolarStore of $4,699.50, it ranks #5 of 5 on value, with 1.92 W/$. Sol-Ark lists lithium as its battery type, while the MidNite takes lithium or lead-acid.
What does the bigger Sol-Ark add?
The Sol-Ark Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter is rated for 15000 W of continuous AC output and 12000 W on battery alone, against 11400 W and 10000 W for the MidNite. Sol-Ark recommends an array of up to 23400 W, against 15000 W for the MidNite, and lists up to 19500 W of solar input. Up to 12 units can link in parallel, against 9 for the MidNite.
Sol-Ark lists a switchover maximum of 5 ms and battery current of up to 275 A, where the MidNite lists 20 ms and 210 A. It costs more, at $6,099.15 against $5,650.23, but still ranks #3 of 5 with 2.46 W/$, ahead of the MidNite at #4 of 5. It weighs 135 lb, against 101.85 lb for the MidNite.