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In this comprehensive SolarEdge review, we’ll examine its innovative product offerings, including its advanced inverters and battery storage solutions. You’ll catch a glimpse of some of its top products to optimize your home or commercial solar power systems in terms of performance and availability.
SolarEdge Company Overview
Headquartered in Herzliya, Israel, Amir Fishelov, Meir Adest, Yoav Galin, Guy Sella, and Lior Handelsman founded SolarEdge in 2016. A pioneer in solar power smart technology, SolarEdge was the first to develop a DC-optimised inverter system and successfully commercialised its novel Power Optimizers.
As of 2023, the company has over 5,000 employees, and it generated €1.82 billion in 2021.
SolarEdge Products
SolarEdge offers a broad portfolio of solar power solutions for residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. It also provides its software, SolarEdge ONE, for monitoring and managing its solar products.
Here is a brief breakdown of the products it has to offer:
- Residential inverters:
- Single phase inverters
- Three phase inverters
- StorEdge inverters
- Power optimisers
- Commercial solutions:
- Commercial inverters
- Commercial power optimisers
- Utility-scale solutions:
- Central inverters
- Large-scale power optimisers
- Others:
- Smart energy devices
- EV charging inverters
SolarEdge Inverters
SolarEdge’s inverters form the core of its choice of solar solutions. They offer a wide selection of models for different applications, all designed to maximise the energy harvested from PV panel systems:
Types of SolarEdge String Inverters
String inverters from SolarEdge are designed to optimise power efficiency by connecting a string of solar panels to a single inverter. SolarEdge offers a variety of string inverter types to accommodate different solar system sizes and needs, including single-phase and three-phase options.
The -RWS, -RWB, and -RW0 series are some of SolarEdge’s most popular offerings, thanks to their advanced features and adaptability to residential and commercial applications.
SolarEdge Home Hub inverter – single-phase
The SolarEdge Home Hub Inverter for single-phase systems is a compact solution with record-breaking efficiency designed for residential use. It’s aimed at homeowners looking for a cost-effective yet scalable solution for their home energy needs.
- Model: SE3000H-RWB
- Maximum DC Voltage: 480V (with 200% oversizing)
- Maximum Efficiency: 99.2%
- Weight: 7.8 kg
- Protection: IP65, Anti Island Protection(ENS), Grid Monitoring
SolarEdge Home Hub inverter – three-phase
The three-phase variant of the Home Hub Inverter supports larger residential or small commercial solar installations, offering robust performance and scalability. It also comes with many features to improve safety and management.
- Model: SE5K-RWB48
- Maximum DC Voltage: 900V
- Maximum Efficiency: 98%
- Weight: 32kg
- Protection: IP65, Reverse Polarity Protection, Ground Fault Monitoring
SolarEdge Home Wave Inverter – Single-Phase
The Home Wave series is a newer range of single-phase inverters that integrate seamlessly with modern home energy management systems. These systems are also designed to integrate with power optimisers for enhanced performance.
- Model: SE2200H, SE3000H, SE3500H
- Maximum DC Voltage: 1000V
- Maximum Efficiency: 99.2%
- Weight: 10kg
- Protection: IP65, Anti Island Protection(ENS), Reverse Polarity Protection, Ground Fault Monitoring
SolarEdge Home Wave inverter – three-phase
Ideal for larger residential setups, the Home Wave three-phase inverters offer high efficiency and reliability with advanced monitoring. It offers higher capacity while minimizing noise levels for residential environments.
- Model: SE10K-RW0TEBEN4
- Maximum DC Voltage: 900V
- Maximum Efficiency: 98%
- Weight: 18.9kg
- Protection: IP65, Anti Island Protection(ENS), Reverse Polarity Protection, Ground Fault Monitoring, Grid Monitoring
StorEdge Inverter
StorEdge inverters are tailored to SolarEdge’s battery solutions, enhancing energy independence and backup capabilities. Featuring a DC-coupled solution architecture, they allow PV power to be stored directly in the battery without AC conversion losses.
- Models: SE2200H-RWS, SE5K-RWS, SE7K-RWS
- Maximum DC Voltage: 480V to 900V
- Maximum Efficiency: 98% to 99.2%
- Weight: 10kg to 32kg
- Protection: IP65, Anti Island Protection(ENS), Reverse Polarity Protection, Ground Fault Monitoring
SolarEdge Home Short String Inverter
Designed for smaller or constrained spaces, the Home Short String Inverters maintain high performance with fewer panels. These inverters offer greater flexibility for complex roofs coming in different orientations. They’re also capable of shorter strings for low-power three-phase PV systems.
- Models: SE3K-RWB, SE4K-RWB
- Maximum DC Voltage: 450V
- Maximum Efficiency: 97.8%
- Weight: 24.5kg
- Protection: IP65, Anti Island Protection(ENS), Reverse Polarity Protection, Ground Fault Monitoring
Performance of the SolarEdge Inverters
SolarEdge inverters are renowned for high efficiency, typically around 97% to 99%, with some of its inverters equalling a record-breaking 99.2%. This ensures maximum conversion of solar energy into usable power. Their HD-Wave technology enhances their ability to manage higher power capacities while maintaining smaller, lighter designs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of SolarEdge Inverters
Advantages:
- Use of power optimisers leads to higher overall system efficiency.
- Provides panel-level monitoring, allowing for precise performance tracking and fault detection.
- Compatible with varying roof orientations and partial shading.
Disadvantages:
- Typically more expensive upfront due to the need for additional components like power optimisers.
- The system’s performance and maintenance rely heavily on the specific combination of SolarEdge components, potentially complicating replacements or upgrades.
How Much Do SolarEdge Inverters Cost?
The cost of SolarEdge inverters varies by model and capacity but generally ranges from €930 to €2,790. This means it’s positioned in the mid to high-end market in terms of pricing. It’s more expensive than low-cost options, like Fronius and Growatt, but similar to SMA and Enphase. However, it’s still significantly cheaper than premium brands like SolarPower.
Inverters from SolarEdge vs Other Manufacturers
Compared to other manufacturers like SMA and Enphase, SolarEdge inverters typically provide more robust system monitoring and energy management tools. Not to mention that they stand out for their record-breaking efficiencies on some models. However, SolarEdge systems require additional components like power optimisers for each panel, potentially complicating the installation and maintenance.
SolarEdge Power Optimisers
SolarEdge power optimisers are devices that attach to each solar panel to maximise energy output by continually tracking each panel’s maximum power point (MPPT). SolarEdge now offers an expanded portfolio of power optimisers compatible with high-power solar panels, all engineered to work seamlessly with its inverter systems.
SolarEdge claims they can boost efficiency to up to 99.5% and help produce 25% more energy.
Benefits of Power Optimisers
- Increased Energy Yield and Flexibility: By managing the performance of each panel individually, power optimisers can extract more energy, especially in partial shading or complex panel orientations.
- Advanced Monitoring: Enables module-level monitoring, providing detailed insights into the performance and health of each solar panel.
- Enhanced Safety: Power optimisers can rapidly shut down the panels in an emergency, reducing the risk of accidents or fire.
- Improved Reliability: Each optimizer is equipped to handle panel-specific issues, which helps prevent problems from affecting the entire system, extending its lifespan.
SolarEdge Battery Storage
SolarEdge offers innovative battery storage solutions designed to optimize energy independence and enhance the performance of solar power systems. These solutions help ensure energy availability during peak times or grid outages for homes or businesses.
Types of SolarEdge Battery Storage
SolarEdge provides a range of battery storage systems tailored to different voltage requirements and usage profiles, including the notable 400V and 48V models:
SolarEdge Home Battery 400V
The SolarEdge Home Battery 400V is a high-voltage battery solution ideal for residential and light commercial use. It’s designed to store significant energy and efficiently provide backup power. Combined with SolarEdge inverters, it allows seamless energy management and improved power continuity.
- Capacity: 9.7kWh
- Voltage: 44.8V-56.5V
- Peak Power: 7.5kW
- Efficiency: 94.5% round-trip efficiency
- Dimensions: 1179mm x 790mm x 250mm
- Weight: 119kg
SolarEdge Home Battery 48V
The SolarEdge Home Battery 48V offers a versatile and scalable low-voltage solution suitable for residential energy storage. It supports gradual capacity expansion with additional battery units, making it an adaptable option for varying household energy needs.
- Capacity: 4.6kWh
- Voltage: 350V-450V
- Continuous Output Power (Charge/Discharge) – for a single module: 2.8kW/4.1kW
- Continuous Output Power (Charge/Discharge) – for multiple modules: 5kW
- Efficiency: 94.5% round-trip efficiency
- Dimensions: 500mm x 540mm x 240mm
- Weight: 54.7kg
Performance of the SolarEdge Batteries
SolarEdge batteries are known for their high efficiency, with around 94-94.5% round-trip efficiency. Thanks to advanced thermal management systems, they maintain consistent performance over a wide range of temperatures and conditions.
Users can also extract maximum efficiency from their system by pairing SolarEdge batteries with its inverters and power optimisers.
Advantages and Disadvantages of SolarEdge Battery Storage
Advantages:
- High Efficiency: Round-trip efficiency of up to 94.5% maximises usable energy.
- Seamless Integration: Designed to work perfectly with SolarEdge inverters and power optimisers.
- Modular Design: Allows for capacity expansion, adapting to growing energy needs.
Disadvantages:
- Higher Initial Cost: Generally more expensive upfront compared to some competitors.
- Limited Compatibility: Primarily designed to integrate with other SolarEdge components.
- Complex Setup: Installation and setup might be more complex due to the integrated nature of the system.
How Much Does SolarEdge Battery Storage Cost?
SolarEdge battery systems are in the mid-to-high-price range, starting from around €4,650 for a 5 kWh unit. Tesla’s Powerwall and LG’s RESU are similarly priced and offer comparable storage capacities and features.
Battery Storage from SolarEdge vs Other Manufacturers
SolarEdge batteries deliver robust performance and efficiency, comparable with leading competitors like Tesla and LG. The price-to-value ratio is competitive; they offer advanced integration capabilities that can justify the higher cost for users with existing SolarEdge systems.
However, for those without a SolarEdge system, the benefits might not outweigh the additional expense, as other manufacturers offer more flexible installation options.
What Is the SolarEdge Warranty?
SolarEdge offers warranties on all their inverters, power optimisers, and battery storage systems:
- Inverters: Generally 12 years, which may be extended to 20 or 25 years for some models.
- Power optimisers: Generally 25 years.
- Batteries: Generally, ten years.
The warranty terms are industry standard, covering defects in workmanship and materials. For most products, the warranty period starts four months from the date of shipment or when the product is installed, whichever comes first.
SolarEdge offers superior warranties for the most part. The industry average for inverters is only 5-10 years, and much less for power optimisers.
Summary – Are SolarEdge Inverters and Batteries Worth Buying?
We highly recommend this brand based on our detailed SolarEdge inverter review and SolarEdge battery review. SolarEdge stands out against its competitors thanks to its high efficiency, smart integration capabilities, and superior warranty offerings.
While the initial cost might be somewhat higher, the long-term benefits of enhanced system performance, energy optimisation, and reliable customer support justify the investment. And it still offers similar value to products at higher price points.
We’d recommend them to homeowners who are looking for a scalable and adaptable solution to continue expanding their power system.
