Sol-Ark 15k review (is it worth it?)

[@unpluggedtexan]

To quickly subscribe to this channel to learn more about becoming more self sufficient in food, energy, and water click here kzbin.info/door/l1akLyjHtxuL959tUX6xjQ

[@llspragulus]

Thanks a ton for all of this. It really helped getting the other half to agree to a solar home farm. Very impressed. Again Thanks!!

[@johnbell2504]

Well done explained for the average guy Will Prowse does an excellent job of explaining the technical aspects of this unit but yours is great for us average guys.

[@unpluggedtexan]

Yeah Will Prowse is an excellent resource. I did a ton of research before purchasing the Sol-Ark 15k. Will Prowse definitely solidified my decision to move forward with the purchase.

[@robertm2744]

Thank you for an excellent review of the Sol Ark 15K, I hope to eventually move that direction with our solar system.

[@louisbond646]

Thanks for the answer. I am going to talk to Signature Solar & lay my hands on a EG4 18Kvp this morning.

[@leithwimmer2351]

Nice job! bought a 15k last fall, and now that the snow is slowly slowing down in Montana, I'll be installing it. Thanks for your insight.

[@unpluggedtexan]

You are welcome. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions on the install.

[@rainierfamilyhomestead]

Couple of points. As another viewer stated, the 15k will output 15k watts to your loads from AC and or DC solar input. The Inverter can output 62.5A from solar and if you multiply that by 240V you get 15k watts. The 12k limitation is when you are running on batteries alone, i.e. grid-down and no solar production. That is a limitation on the hardware due to 48v-60v nominal voltage for batteries. That will limit you to 50A running on batteries alone. So if you take 50A x 240V = 12k watts. If you were running AC and DC coupled solar you can actually output up to 34k watts of power. The Inverter can take power input from any number of sources to output power to your loads simultaneously; that is something most other inverters can't do. For AC Coupling it will pass-through the AC input to your loads and that is how you can get around the 62.5A limitation when running on DC coupled solar alone.

[@srpchannel0169]

My biggest concern as an electrical contractor on products like this that are all in one is how modular is the design. Meaning in 5 to 10 years can you get those individual components in that and replace them. There's a couple companies that have whole home Smart panels and that was my biggest concern with those. I'm not a solar panel installer. Great video you really laid out everything it did what very well!

[@scottaboshia]

I've been running a Sol-Ark 8k since 2019 and I love the flexibility it offers. Excited to try out the 15k in a future build.

[@unpluggedtexan]

I am very impressed with it. I’m glad I spent the extra money on this all in one inverter for sure. It gives me the flexibility to expand the system as well which was important to me.

[@buck-johnson]

Thank you for an excellent review

[@bschmitty77]

One thing to note is that sol-ark has a hard limit in off grid mode of 6k watts per leg (L-N) so if you have high usage single phase loads there's more potential to fault the inverter. BUT you can install a transformer to carry load over the neutral to balance out that load (and it will balance it perfectly) so that you can reach your true 12kw limit across both legs, even with high single phase loads.

[@unpluggedtexan]

I actually had a conversation with Sol-ark over the phone about 2 weeks ago. They mentioned that each leg can handle about 7,500 watts as long as the combination of the 2 legs don’t go over 12k. But that is not in their manual. I actually just shifted some breakers in my panel to a different phase to help balance the load. So I’ve not tested doing 7,500 watts on one leg though. Nor does Sol-Arks 15k manual state that in can load balance.

[@bschmitty77]

@Practicalpreptx the sol-ark can't load balance. The is one of the cons of a transformerless inverter. But you can load balance by adding in a transformer to your sub panel.

[@gwh731]

Excellent review. I want one!

[@unpluggedtexan]

You won’t regret it. I love mine.

[@peteryates7505]

Noticed you used EG batteries. Would you now select the 18KPV if you did it again? Thanks

[@unpluggedtexan]

Great question. I have an EG4 18k pv inverter that I’ll be installing in place of my Sol-Ark 15k. Once I load test that I’ll put out a video that answers that question. For now I’m not sure just yet.

[@sethgthomas]

Really like my Sol-Ark thus far. Agree completely about the support assistance, all stand-up folks. One thing I'm working to experiment more is using my battery bank at night vs. pulling from the grid. Would you be able to put a video together or as part of a download on your time of use settings? Also, if you have fully charged batteries, and excess solar, do you push back to the grid at all (Net Metering?)

[@test893]

Great video, I believe that you are running directly from the grid into the Sol-Ark input, and mention the switches in that grid connection are bypass, but I believe they are just shut off breakers/switches. I've noticed a few other Sol-Ark installers have put in a bypass switch in-between the grid and their Sol--Ark in case there is an issue with the Sol-Ark, just wondering if you considered this and your reasoning to not do this. Thanks again for the great video!

[@unpluggedtexan]

Yeah I just have a 200amp fusible disconnect. So if I want to run completely off grid I can make videos proving that. The reason I didn’t put a bypass in was the cost. I have insulated connectors on hand where if I needed to bypass the Solark I could pull the wires out of the Solark and connect them with insulated connectors in the gutter below my Solark in an emergency. Essentially bypassing the Solark all together for only the cost of insulated connectors. Rather than an expensive transfer switch.

[@dahur]

I have an 12.4 KW Enphase PV system, and am wondering if there are any challenges to this inverter for using Enphase.

[@unpluggedtexan]

I don’t believe there would be an issue. The Sol-Ark 15k can handle AC coupling. It’s just going to depend on your specific system you have in place. Figure out all the specs of your existing system and give Sol-Ark engineering a call. They’ll help figure out the details.

[@goodoleme]

Did you ever install the Eg4 18k and do a vid on the Eg4 18k vs the Sol-Ark 15k?

[@unpluggedtexan]

@@goodoleme I haven’t. I’m going to have to disconnect power from my home to do it. And my home powers the water system to all 5 homes on my property. So I’m building a two story structure on my property that I will hook it up to and run tests.

[@goodoleme]

@@unpluggedtexan I will be a beta tester for you, lol. Nothing like real world testing. Gives you time to get an oscilloscope if you don't have one.

[@carlossantini]

Are you in closed loop communication with the eg4 LL batteries?

[@unpluggedtexan]

No. Sol-Ark doesn’t recommend closed loop with EG4 batteries even though EG4 claims it’s compatible.

[@kb9300]

Question from another Texan. If you’re not home in the summer and the power goes off…A/Cs are inevitably running. How do you deal with that? I want to program so my A/C cuts off even when I’m not there so it doesn’t crater the system. Is there a way to do that? P.S. I’m not an electrician, just a consumer.

[@unpluggedtexan]

I have a Mr Cool 24k but mini split in my living room, and an EG4 mini split in my master bedroom. I can turn both of those off from my phone once I get alerted via a notification that the power went out. So you would have to get smart devices to be able to control them remotely. I’m going to make a video on all the appliances I have and how I use them to save on battery usage.

[@kb9300]

@@unpluggedtexan thanks for a quick reply. All of that works IF the wifi also doesn’t go down I guess. I’m also ridiculous and have mini splits intended to run off batteries and four (yes, 4) traditional central ACs when the grid is up. I suppose I’d need to manage those manually as well. Right now I have older Sunny Islands controlling a subpanel of critical equipment. I need to replace the batteries in my system and am deciding if I also want the sol-ark and if I want to only connect the sub-panel or connect the entire system so that other items can be powered off solar/battery. Tough choice.

[@AirmanJH]

Considering building a system in stages. Can this be operated without batteries? I would love to simply add some power to my house using solar without buying the entire setup at once.

[@unpluggedtexan]

Sol-Ark recommends at least one battery, I believe at least 3 kwh’s of batteries. I think that’s just to help handle the load when the power goes out. But it should work just fine without batteries. I shut off my batteries to test if it would still work and it ran just fine.

[@AirmanJH]

@@unpluggedtexan Thanks! I saw your test. I was just wondering if, even though it works, there could be power conditioning issue or I could void the warranty.

[@unpluggedtexan]

@@AirmanJH I don’t think it would void the warranty. But I would just get one battery when Signature solar has a sale. You can get the EG4-LL 48v 5 kwh battery for $1,500. Or sometimes they have refurbished ones for around $1,200.

[@AirmanJH]

@@unpluggedtexan I suppose that’s reasonable for a starter. And expandable, which is key for my plans.

[@peteryates7505]

Excellent. I have peak loads of up to 20kw. Will it trip out on me in normal use or only in power outages? Thanks

[@unpluggedtexan]

If you have the grid connected to it like I do it has a 200amp pass through so the grid will assist your solar and batteries to handle surges above what the inverter can handle. The Sol-Ark 15k can handle the surge of my 4 ton traditional AC unit. So for short bursts it is capable of handling a ton of amps.

[@Flowing23]

Excellent video, thank you so much for posting this. One question, what did you mean by they can be hard to purchase if you are not an installer?. Does SolArk not sell directly to the public?

[@unpluggedtexan]

Nope they don’t sell direct. There’s a lot of installers out there that install Sol-Arks but I found it hard initially to source one that I could buy to do it myself.

[@louisbond646]

Do the eg4 batteries work ok with the 15k inverter? I saw somewhere that the 15k doesn't like the comm. with the battery.

[@unpluggedtexan]

They work fine in non closed loop like I have mine connected. Some people connect them in closed loop with no issues. But Sol-Ark claims that EG4 is not a battery partner and does not recommend closed loop communication with EG4 batteries. If that's important to you then you'll need to spend a lot more for different batteries, or watch my video on the EG4 18k PV inverter which is nearly a mirror image of the Sol-Ark 15k. EG4 batteries will work in closed loop with the EG4 18k PV, and you'll get the added benefit of having emp protection included if you use the EG4 18k PV with either their 48 volt LL batteries or the All Weather pro wallmount battery.

[@carlosreyes6448]

Will the transfer switch, transfer back to grid? If the batteries go to low on voltage? And at the same time charge your batteries up?

[@unpluggedtexan]

Yes. You can program it to do both. I don’t want the grid charging the batteries ever so I have it set like that. But you can use the grid to charge them if you’d like.

[@carlosreyes6448]

@@unpluggedtexan I'm doing a solar setup at, my house building a ground mount with around 5k rec panels. I already have my batteries built. I did a 280ah lifepo4 battery and a 200 amp bms. It's a 52v bank. Was thinking about using victron charge controller. And aims inverter. But also considering the sol-ark. How do you like it so far?

[@unpluggedtexan]

@@carlosreyes6448 I love the Sol-Ark 15k. Very happy with my purchase. But you definitely pay a premium for it. Good luck on your project!

[@mikeremillard5414]

What your comparison with Sol-Ark and EG4 18kpv

[@unpluggedtexan]

From the people I know who have it they have no complaints. It’s right on par with the Sol-Ark 15k. Support isn’t quite as good just yet but that is improving and will improve even more when LuxPower (maker of the EG4 18k pv inverter) launches their own US based tech support in the US in Q1 of 2024. I was told that by my contacts at LuxPower last week. I’ll be installing my EG4 18k Pv inverter by end of October and will run tests comparing it to my Sol-Ark.

[@SetTheCurve]

Does this device make any noise? I’m considering putting it in my kitchen (there is a nook with the washing machine etc) and I don’t want to be listening to whining or loud fans.

[@unpluggedtexan]

Here’s a video I made on how loud it is. How loud is the Sol-Ark 15k? #shorts kzbin.infoMpxN1yDVEOo?feature=share

[@Agoncor]

Can I run the dryer and the microwave at the same time?

[@unpluggedtexan]

Yep with ease. That would only be about 7,000 watts. The Sol-Ark 15k can do 12,000 watts off grid on battery power. If the sun is also producing energy you can do 15,000 watts.

[@MyGoogleYoutube]

What are the wire gauges you are using for grid and load? They look thin? What are you thoughts about using a double throw switch incase the Solark goes down allowing you to bypass it? What are you plans to power the home if the Solark dies?

[@stevenfaber3896]

But how about the ones that are slightly more pricey, but are a full battery/panel/inverter 16kwh kit?

[@unpluggedtexan]

I looked at possibly going with BigBattery.com for a 48v battery like that. I decided against it for two reasons… it would have been more expensive, and the battery I would have been purchasing was about 1,000 pounds. I had to move these batteries up a flight of stairs, so to be able to bring one 150 pound battery up the stairs at a time was much easier than bringing a gun safe size battery up my stairs.

[@jasonp4157]

Great video. Ive bought almost the exact system. My ground neutral bond in my set up is different ( my panel in my house is a sub panel from the main in my barn) both panels are neutral bonded. Any thoughts? Thanks

[@niktak1114]

You can output 15kW to the loads from PV with this unit, not 12kW. I think you can actually do 18kW combined to the loads and batteries but I won't have enough panels connected to confirm that for another month or so.

[@unpluggedtexan]

Yeah that’s correct. The 12k to the loads (+ 3k to batteries) is when you are operating on batteries only. I should have clarified that.

[@niktak1114]

@@unpluggedtexan The "12,000W" figure on the spec sheet is the worst case battery only inverting power, just above low voltage disconnect. It can do more than that for most of the voltage curve.

[@unpluggedtexan]

@@niktak1114 I didn’t know that based on my research and phone discussions with Sol-Ark. and I haven’t pushed this inverter passed 10k total watts using batteries only. Interesting. After spending $35k on this system I’m not ready to try and push it to the max yet. Lol

[@niktak1114]

@@unpluggedtexan Mine hits the 15kW inverting max almost daily and nothing has blown up (yet).

[@TechnoDad72]

Man! They're raised the price by $1K!! It was less than that last year in August.

[@unpluggedtexan]

Lots of demand for it I’m sure. This inverter is a game changer.

[@balrog006]

It just went on sale pretty much across the board for $6999

[@unpluggedtexan]

@@balrog006 thanks for pointing that out. That’s the beauty of competition. The EG4 18kpv has caused them to lose market share. Gotta come down on price to compete.

[@jeffreyvictor3678]

Hey Sir...first, excellent video. Very informative. Most informative review of the Sol-Ark 15kW. Second, do you have a jumper wire on the second battery terminal(s)? Or is that for a second rack? Are the two wires with the wire nuts the third solar panel grid that isn't connected? Which solar panels did you decide to go with for a whole house, hybrid system? Also, is there a way that I could get a copy (wiring diagram) of your system to include the solar panels. I ask because I am planning my new house now and am designing this exact system with the Sol-Ark 15kW and the Eg4LL Backup Batteries. Just would like to know the needed items to build the system before I go to the power company to lay this out for approval. It is different when you are buying a non-bundle type system; I realize it is a big ask, but it would move me along greatly. TY!

[@unpluggedtexan]

Shoot me an email at [e-mail]. I’ll send over some helpful info and answer these questions on Monday.

[@huhcom]

I you need 2 of these is it better to get a SOL-ARK 30K-3P-208V-N?

[@CCRep123]

Well done... excellent video. Sol Ark's are the gold standard for sure right there with Victron it seems. (Victron is pricey though & more complicated.) I went with EG4 Lifepower4 batteries & 2 of the EG4 6500EX'S inverters with plans to run a third for my 22kw system eventually. 3 of them will have cost me just short of $4k. The soon coming EG4 18k looks interesting as well...when it is all sorted. That said, I sincerely would like to know why go with this Sol Ark or the EG4 18k over the 3 EG4-6500EX's? I like the triple redundancy & the cost savings of 3 of these but wonder if I'm missing something. Thx for your input...keep up the great work. Subscribed!

[@unpluggedtexan]

The biggest reason for me to go with the Sol-Ark 15k was being able to install it in between my electrical meter at the street and my home panel since it has the 200amp pass through. Because of that I installed it without even getting an inspection or letting the power company know I did it. But I’m not selling to the grid. If you sell to the grid then you definitely need the inspection. It seems some electric utilities still want an inspection with the Sol-Ark 15k even not selling to the grid, and some don’t care since you’re not selling back and they aren’t worried about the 120% rule due to the 200amp pass through. Another reason I went with Sol-ark 15k was I didn’t want a critical loads panel, I wanted to be able to run every load in my home. It was very straightforward to accomplish that with the Sol-Ark 15k. Hopefully that answers your question.

[@CCRep123]

@Practicalpreptx Fair enough, that makes lots of sense. I should have clarified that I'm 💯 % off grid. Most of the reason I did was it was $44k to hook up to the grid. No thank you & an easy decision to invest in full solar. Which...is why I like the concept of triple redundancy with inverters for my situation. That said, living truly & fully off grid, you need backups for your backups. Everyone has their own context. Glad it works for you. 👍

[@diySolarPowerFunWithRay]

Thanks, Just curious, Can I connect a wire trough right up against the bottom of this unit? Similar to how dexter is doing it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnyth3Scq9qojas. ... Or do i need a gap below this inverter for air flow? Thanks

[@unpluggedtexan]

@@diySolarPowerFunWithRay the link you sent just goes to my video. The manual says keep a 2” clearance. I’d rather keep closer to a 6” clearance since the air intake vents are in the bottom of the Sol-Ark 15k closest to the wall. The hot air blows out of the top. I run this thing hard every day and would want to make sure I’ve got plenty of airflow going into it. A gutter would certainly restrict the airflow. It may work, but I wouldn’t want to chance it.

[@keything8487]

any issues with the inverter communicating to/from the eg batteries?

[@unpluggedtexan]

Nope no issues at all.

[@keything8487]

@@unpluggedtexan you have the sol ark set to lithium, or lead acid?

[@unpluggedtexan]

@@keything8487 lithium. I use the EG4-LL lithium batteries. 30 kwh. I’m eventually going to add another full rack of 6 of those batteries.

[@keything8487]

@@unpluggedtexan thank you for the info !!

[@reidkrabillbmx]

My battery communication doesn't stay in sync with the inverter when using percentage mode so I have to use voltage mode. Otherwise the 15k is great.

[@jamesshowalter6362]

You need to try the EG4 18kPV! Lin balancing 8kw per leg 21kpv rated max at 600v not 500v plus the 200a switch built in

[@unpluggedtexan]

Yeah it looks like EG4 took some notes from Sol-Ark in designing the EG4 18k PV. It’s $2k less than the Sol-Ark 15k. As soon as EG4 releases this thing and it starts getting reviews in the field it will definitely be something to watch.

[@niktak1114]

You have it the other way around. The sol-ark 15k has a 15kW inverter and the EG4 18k has a 12kW inverter.

[@jamesshowalter6362]

@@niktak1114 show that lol

[@niktak1114]

@@jamesshowalter6362 it's right on the spec sheet on the EG4 website. And even in the title "EG4 18KPV Hybrid Inverter | All-In-One Solar Inverter | 18000W PV Input | 12000W Output | 48V 120/240V Split Phase | EG4-18KPV-12LV".

[@jamesshowalter6362]

@@niktak1114 I mean 15kw out of the 15k in battery mode

[@Madsci-zy8wm]

$8,000 is far too much to pay for a Chinese made inverter. US Customs records for Ningbo Deye Inverter Technology, a supplier based in China shows 266 container sized shipments to Portable Solar Llc Dba Sol-ark Llc in Allen, Texas. I thought Sol-Ark has been claiming for years that their inverters are made in the U.S.A. Have they been misleading us all this time?

[@DanBurgaud]

For split phase, NO. it will croak

[@unpluggedtexan]

Mines worked like a champ for nearly 1.5 years. I know an installer of these in the Austin area who only installs Sol-Arks because of their excellent performance. He doesn’t have many warranty claims at all. They seem to be performing excellently from everyone I know.

[@DanBurgaud]

@@unpluggedtexan Good that it is working well for you. But if DavidPoz, Bens and several others keeps getting interruption, there must be something wrong with Sol-Ark or with split phase or with their install. I personally use Deye, no problem as I am not using split phase (different country).

[@Yaadtech]

Solark is GARBAGE