What String Inverter Should I Get for My 16kW Solar System?

If you're in the U.S. and looking to handle most household loads (like a dryer or range), you’ll definitely need split-phase power. It’s standard in most homes. Triple phase is rare unless someone has industrial equipment. Since you're in Texas, most brands are more suitable for your market, just make sure any inverter you choose is compatible with your utility’s requirements!

It's crucial to pick an inverter that can handle your system efficiently. Since you have a bit over 16kW of panels, going with a smaller inverter, like a 15kW, might lead to some clipping on good sunny days. I recommend looking at inverters in the 17-20kW range, such as the SolarEdge SE17500H, SE20000H, or Fronius Symo models if you can find a decent deal. They offer solid performance with good monitoring options. The SMA Sunny Tripower 20K is another trustworthy choice. Going a bit bigger gives you some headroom for future expansion too! As for other equipment, you’ll need things like DC/AC disconnects, a production meter, a grounding kit, plus the wiring and conduit. And don’t forget about the permitting fees. And yes, you mentioned your roof layout is south-facing—ideal for string configuration!

From my experience, you might want to consider the Growatt string inverters. I've been installing them for over a decade, and they've had very few warranty claims—only four out of around 1200 units we've installed. The Growatt MIN 11400 model manages up to 17,100 watts of panel capacity without clipping, which is pretty good. So definitely keep that on your radar!

So, here's a bit of my experience. I upgraded to a 15kW system after using a small Enphase setup. During my research, I narrowed it down to a few inverters: EG4 18kpv, Sol-Ark 15k, and Victron, but since Victron wasn’t UL-approved, I went with EG4 because of the cost-to-capability balance. The Sol-Ark is worth considering too as it's been around longer and has a great reputation.