What does the Sol-Ark 5K-1P-N Hybrid Inverter offer on paper?
Sol-Ark rates the 5K-1P-N Hybrid Inverter at 4800 W of continuous AC output. Sol-Ark lists it as a hybrid inverter. That output places it in the group with 2000 W or more of continuous AC output.
Sol-Ark answers yes on selling power back to the grid. Its listed certifications are UL1741-2010/2018, IEEE1547a-2003/2014. Ask your utility which listings it needs before you connect a system to the grid.
| Power and capacity | |
|---|---|
| Continuous AC output | 4800 W |
| UPS switchover (max) | 5 ms |
| Size and moving it | |
| Width | 13 in |
| Height | 23.6 in |
| Weight | 53 lb |
| Temperature and warranty | |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Product | Best current price | Watts per dollar | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sol-Ark 5K-1P-N Hybrid Inverter | $1,499.92 at A1 SolarStore | 3.20 W/$ | #1 of 4 |
| MidNite Solar Little Rosie MNLR4548RE Inverter/Charger | $1,709.36 at A1 SolarStore | 2.63 W/$ | #3 of 4 |
| EG4 Electronics 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter | $1,898.27 at A1 SolarStore | 3.16 W/$ | #2 of 4 |
| OutBack Power VFXR3648A Inverter/Charger | $2,527.44 at A1 SolarStore | 1.42 W/$ | #4 of 4 |
How big and heavy is it to mount?
The Sol-Ark weighs 53 lb. Its case is 23.6 in tall, 13 in wide and 9.3 in deep.
Its enclosure carries an IP65 / NEMA 3R rating, and the operating range runs from -40 C to 60 C. Plan for a helper and a solid wall when you hang a heavy inverter.
How much solar can you connect?
Sol-Ark recommends a solar array of up to 10400 W. The MPPT voltage range is 150 V to 425 V, across 2 MPPT trackers. The PV input voltage tops out at 500 V.
Check each string's open-circuit voltage on the coldest morning you expect, since panel voltage rises in the cold. Ask your installer to size each string so it stays inside the input limits.
Which batteries does it work with?
The Sol-Ark uses a 48 V nominal battery bank, and Sol-Ark lists lithium or lead-acid as the battery types. Battery voltage can range from 40 V to 60 V. Max battery charge current is 120 A, and max discharge current is also 120 A.
Sol-Ark also answers yes on generator input. Check that your battery can supply and accept the current your inverter draws.
What happens when the grid goes down?
Sol-Ark gives a UPS switchover time of 5 ms at most. That puts it in the 20 ms or less group for UPS switchover speed.
If one unit is not enough, up to 8 can run in parallel. A shorter switchover means a shorter gap when power changes over.
What does the Sol-Ark cost for the watts you get?
A1 SolarStore lists it new at $1,499.92. At that price it works out to 3.20 W/$, which ranks #1 of 4 on value in this article.
Sol-Ark backs it with a warranty of 10 years. Budget for installation separately from the unit price.
What are the Sol-Ark's drawbacks?
It sits in the heavy (over 50 lb) class. Its AC output is 120 V, on a single phase.
Check whether the big loads in your home need split-phase power before you pick an inverter.
How is the EG4 Electronics 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter different?
The EG4 Electronics 6000XP Off-Grid Inverter gives 240 V split-phase output, with 6000 W continuous against 4800 W on the Sol-Ark. Its surge rating is 12000 W for 3.5 s. EG4 Electronics lists a maximum solar input of 8000 W and up to 16 units in parallel.
Other listed differences: a switchover of 15 ms against 5 ms, a warranty of 5 years against 10 years, and an IP20 enclosure against IP65 / NEMA 3R. Its operating range is 0 C to 45 C. A1 SolarStore lists it at $1,898.27 against $1,499.92 for the Sol-Ark, and its value of 3.16 W/$ ranks #2 of 4, behind the Sol-Ark at 3.20 W/$.
Why look at the MidNite Solar Little Rosie instead?
The Little Rosie MNLR4548RE Inverter/Charger weighs 15 lb, so it is easy to carry (under 30 lb), while the Sol-Ark weighs 53 lb. It measures 20.25 in long, 9 in wide and 6 in tall. MidNite Solar rates it at 4500 W continuous and 6750 W of surge for 5 s.
Its switchover is listed at 4 ms at most. Battery charge current is lower, at 60 A against 120 A on the Sol-Ark. At $1,709.36 from A1 SolarStore, it works out to 2.63 W/$ and ranks #3 of 4.
What sets the OutBack Power VFXR3648A Inverter/Charger apart?
For battery types, OutBack Power lists flooded, gel, AGM, lithium-ion or flow on the VFXR3648A Inverter/Charger. Output is lower, at 3600 W continuous against 4800 W on the Sol-Ark, with 5400 W of surge for 5 s. Its operating range is -40 C to 60 C, and it allows up to 10 units in parallel.
At 61 lb it is also heavy (over 50 lb), and its CEC efficiency is 91 %. A1 SolarStore lists it at $2,527.44, and value works out to 1.42 W/$, which ranks #4 of 4.