Hey everyone! I'm an off-grid enthusiast who's been loving my solar setup — I've got 6500 watts of panels, a 30 kWh LiFePO4 battery bank, and a 5 kW inverter powering my home offices and even a 240v car charger. I've noticed that during this time of year, I'm generating way more power than I can use. I'm thinking about switching my Victron 250/100 MPPT and current inverter for a hybrid inverter. My big question is: can I set a hybrid inverter to output a specific amount of power to the grid, like 20 amps at 240 volts, during certain hours (11 am to 4 pm)? I want to send my excess energy to help offset my electricity bill while ensuring it doesn't backfeed during a power outage. I'm curious if anyone has experience with this and can recommend any brands or models that allow such customization. Thanks in advance for any advice!
4 Answers
You're on the right track with wanting a hybrid inverter; they can operate in both off-grid and grid-tied modes. Many models allow you to set parameters for when to export power based on battery levels and time of day. Schneider's XW is great, but it's being discontinued. Outback inverters are known for their flexibility, and I've heard good things about Sol-Ark too. Make sure to check their manuals for details on control capabilities!
Most hybrid inverters do allow you to control export settings based on your energy needs. Some even have programmable ports to manage which appliances run when your battery is full, like heating your hot tub when everything's in place. Just make sure to read the fine print on each model for capabilities regarding your specific needs!
Stick with EG4, as there's a active community around it, plus lots of DIY resources available. Just make sure to upsize your wiring and choose a bigger inverter than you think you'll need to allow for future expansion!
Yes, you can definitely set time periods and control how much power your hybrid inverter sends to the grid. Some even let you use current clamps to regulate the power going to your home without exporting it. Just remember, you'd need to check with your utility for any permits needed for this setup. As for brands, you might want to stick with Victron and consider switching to their Multiplus. However, brands like EG4 or Deye have some great options too!
Thank you for that info! I hadn’t thought about current clamps—super helpful! Is there a particular model that makes this functionality easy?
Thank you for confirming I'm not crazy! My utility's rates are low at $0.115/kWh, so it sounds like potentially saving more!