Quite useful tered. Why is it in /k lol

Going to pay booking next week.
5kW system with 3 phase Huawei Hybrid Inverter & 5.4kW Trina Vertex S+ panels.

After doing extensive reading, this Huawei Hybrid Inverter is the bomb if it’s the same price as non hybrid string inverters. Built in AFCI. 10 years warranty (installer says it’s 1 to 1 swap), option to plug in their HV batteries and supported ones — argument that it’s proprietary is silly. You can still install AC coupled batteries as with normal string inverters if you want.

What I’ve noticed about many installers is that the panels and inverters they use are seasonal. E.g. one company used to sell Canadian Solar panels and now moved to Longi exclusively. And they are also phasing out string inverters and going for Hoymiles micro inverters.

Which brings me to the conclusion that, when selling you the system they can tell you 12 years warranty and 25 years performance guarantee or whatever, but if they stop carrying or selling the brand, or the distributor stops distributing the brand. Your warranty is just words on paper.

Huawei is distributed by themselves in Malaysia. Gigantic company, and I am confident with the warranty they offer. No idea about panels. Any panel manufacturer has presence in MY? Trina konon partner with TNB. Don’t know what that actually means. Probably just GSPARX using their panels.

Another installer quoted me Solis 3P6K, has integrated AFCI but needs activation, whatever that means. Huawei I know confirm it is there. Between Solis vs Huawei, I prefer Huawei simply because it is a more expensive hybrid inverter versus Solis..so for the same price or less, why choose the cheaper Solis? The company that quoted Solis said I need to top up RM2k if I want Huawei. In terms of company backing, as above, Huawei is one of the biggest tech companies in the world, the backing is solid. Solis, not sure if the company is here in MY themselves or via distributor.

Anyhow the installer quoted me Solis 3P6K with 4.6k panels for more money versus Huawei 5KTL-M1 + 5.4k panels. So its a no brainer for me.

RM18.8k before any rebates.

Well, there are instances micro inverters can be useful, when shading is an issue or orientation/roof design. Mine is a straightforward terrace roof and nothing shading around my roof.

This post has been edited by Jason: Apr 26 2024, 05:40 PM

No need itchy just go for it

I was waiting for a reason to do it. The SolaRIS rebate really sealed the deal. Better be quick because there’s no visibility on the availability.

After speaking to about 6 companies and asking questions.

Here are my recommendation. Disclaimer, I am not affiliated anyway to the industry. I am just a soon to be consumer.

1. Some companies will bs story you, because their approach is to maximize profit. E.g. your house uses three phase power. They tell you single phase inverter will work. It is true, it will work, but it’s not optimize and it’s not best for you. Out of the 6 I spoke to, 4 of them tell me can install can use, which is true, but it’s not the best. It’s like selling you snow tires for use in Malaysia. It will work and can use. It’s just not the best choice available.

2. Choose a large company with long track record. Best if they have large corporate clients. Why? When you buy from them, they will be the one supporting you for the 10 year inverter warranty, 12 year panel warranty etc. Sure, Huawei inverters will be backed by Huawei Malaysia even if your installer close shop tomorrow. But it will be very hard to find another installer to touch your system and do the replacement for you. Nobody wants to clean up other people’s shit.

3. Out of 6 of the companies I spoke to, 2 of them is clueless. Just focus on selling. When I ask questions like send me the data sheet of inverter, she answer me the quote is based on my tnb bill. Don’t even know what I am asking for. Don’t even have basic product knowledge. Just sell sell sell — this company advertise heavily on Facebook, name start with a. Worse thing about them that scares me, they used to sell Canadian Solar panels. Now discontinued. Which makes me wonder if your panel got issue claim warranty, they don’t carry it anymore, what happens? Is the installer going to replace for you? Are they going to tell you sorry brand no longer in Malaysia you need to pay to replace with other brand? Make sure you ask.

4. Truth is, solar panel hardly needs cleaning in most cases. If the company start story say need cleaning, charge you how much. Can walk away. If your output got problem, maybe cleaning is one of the remedy — like Godzilla 💩 on your solar panel and the rain can’t wash it off. This is what the big company tell me. Usually don’t need.

Average save RM250 a month. You can go online find calculators. It’s a 5kW system.

This post has been edited by Jason: Apr 28 2024, 02:30 PM

Can install. But what is the benefit? You don’t want to draw so much from tnb grid to make sure you’re below monthly 1,500kW threshold? There’s a 10 cents surcharge per kWh if you exceed 1,500kW drawn from the grid. It applies even if you’re on NEM.

But even assuming the surcharge applies, 1501kW * RM0.10 = RM150.10. Per annum it’s RM1801.20. Current battery system costs way more than that.

There’s no clear ROI? Unless you’re consuming way more — but that also means you need a large battery and a huge solar system.

Huawei’s inverter is battery ready. Hopefully 10 years later the NEM gets renewed or the battery costs comes down. Yes yes Huawei supports proprietary batteries only and it’s HV battery. But you can still do AC coupled battery with inverter with the Huawei system. Same same.

All this just PM lah.
Not nice to disclose public forum. Can refer you the person and company I chose. Already paid booking.

it’s my personal experience, observation and opinion and is only 1 case, and may not reflect the norm.

I don’t want to get sued.

Oh ya one more benefit in Malaysia versus those angmo countries like Australia and UK, our installers mostly use skylift. Damn hebat compare to Aus & UK where they mostly use ladders and carry the panels up the roof for installation.

I’m also going to request when they install the frame/support rail for panel to be bigger and to allow me to install extra panels in the future. Top up a bit more worth it.

My package comes with 5.4kWp panels on 5kW inverter.

I intend to ask how much to add 2 extra panels, and have space to accommodate a max of 16 panels. So in future can add panels or swap panels without having to touch the roof again. Of course mixing old panels and new ones not ideal, but it’s easier down the road.

If efficiency refers to using the solar power generated in your home.. you can say 3 phase more efficient.
I'll try and layman this from what I understand


You CAN use a 1 phase inverter on a 3 phase tnb supply. The installers never lie. But it is not optimised. Because the other 2 phases will draw power from tnb grid. I give simple example. your tnb 3 phase, your solar 1 phase inverter, you have a 3 phase EV charger, charging at 11kW (3.65kW x 3). So if you charge during daytime when solar generating power, you won't be able to use all 7kW from your solar for the EV, as the solar is only on 1 phase, thus it'll be capped at 3.65kW and the balance will draw from grid. And if you import more than 1500kW TNB.. you kena ICPT RM0.10/kW

EDIT before got smart Alec comment: ok don't be an idiot and tell me you no EV charger. I just use EV charger cause easy to explain. Go find out what is wired to each phase in your own home ok?

As an owner.. why lah wanna make my home's 3 phase not balance. and why wanna limit my self-consumption for solar on just 1 phase..and forced to draw from grid for the other 2 phases?

TNB FAQ:

which installer is that? Verdant?

Haha
>9kW system use 1 phase inverter on 3 phase tnb grid supply? Run. Run very far from them.

Which company is this?

That’s micro inverter. Different from the string inverter I am talking about.

Micro & string have respective pros and cons. Cannot say one is better than the other. Just what suits you better plus what you prefer. If shading is an issue, definitely micro is the way to go.

But shading is non issue for me so string all the way. It is also simpler in terms of setup versus micro.

Solaredge is Israhell company. Who carrying? I go report polis 😂

If installing string inverter + DC optimizer, I think it’ll be more costly than Hoymiles micro. What for. Hoymiles can support 4 panels per micro inverter whereas you need 1 DC optimizer for each panel — just introduce more points of failure.

Not true. Don’t need it if no shading issue. And top of the range string inverters such as Fronius overcome shading issues with their algorithm.

https://youtu.be/TqOw43-hbjc?si=sX4kGADoINEZimLi
Btw Enphase is the king of micro inverters.

Ultimately, it’s 2 different approach. Just a matter of understand pros & cons plus your personal preference. Nothing wrong with either setup.

This post has been edited by Jason: Apr 30 2024, 11:36 PM

but if you can get hybrid inverter now for the same price, or cheaper, why not?

After NEM expires in 10 years, I have an easy straightforward option to plug in a battery to the hybrid inverter. no fuss. I can still deploy AC coupled battery if I want to. Why want to choose otherwise is beyond me if you are going for string inverters.

high usage people kena hammer every month by ICPT charges. see necessary or not. I find it interesting. spending so much to install solar, dont want to do it properly. lol.

This post has been edited by Jason: May 2 2024, 04:15 PM

In layman terms, what is the implication of this certificate for consumers like us? And we talking about Pathgreen?

Agree with what adamw said. Verdant & PlusMax pricing so close, of course choose the 3 phase inverter over the single phase one. If you can confirm which inverter you are getting for ERS (assuming it is 3 phase 7kW or 8kW) you can compare the warranties between 5. and 3. and choose the one with better warranty coverage.

Mana ada shading. No trees no high rise. Btw your pricing incorrect. First 2 is ERS WITH Solaris rebate RM4k. So you need to add the RM4k back in to make an apples to apples comparison.

Personally I would forget SAJ, INVT inverters. You want a good inverter to begin with.

That’s not shading. Basically if something shades your solar panel.. like a tree providing shade. Yours is optimizing the panels… easily solved lah.. most string inverter these days have 2 MPTT. So just use both.

This post has been edited by Jason: May 8 2024, 02:38 PM

We should always aim to oversize the panel array. According to clean energy counsel Australia that sweet number is ~30% relative to the inverter.

8.82kWp with a 6kW inverter.
The array is 47% larger than the inverter.

According to this, DC to AC ratio of 1.3 will have 0.9% clipping loss. At 1.5 you’re looking at 4.8% clipping loss. But… continue reading the whole thing.

I think I would contact option 3, ask them change the inverter to a 7kW unit and ask for discount. And if it’s cheaper than ERS can consider.

As is, I would pick ERS because
1. cheaper by RM600 for a 8.82kWp versus 8.26kWp array
2. Huawei hybrid inverter
3. Even with the clipping I think you’ll generate more powah overall versus the verdant proposal.
4. I guess logically, over time when panel degradation kicks in, your loss won’t be as great since you were already clipping to begin with.

Huawei Australia themselves certify that their inverters can go above 150%. You’re at 47% ok lah. Below that threshold.

use multiple credit card.. ask the installer company

I know TNB SparkX got that instalment thingy.. SOLS also got.. and now the new Solar Boleh program.. but... they already factored in the % cost...and it seems higher than credit card 0% instalment

Yesterday the installer company technician came with drone... took footage and photos of my roof.. also discussed where to put my inverter and explained how they will run the cabling.. now waiting for them to send me proposal of how it'll be installed.

Sure. Terrace house, so it's on the side wall back to back with neighbor. Away from my main entrance. Shaded but of course if heavy rain some water will splash, but more importantly no direct exposure to sunlight.

Front of house, hmm, actually can also place behind my house. Is the sound audible if you close all windows/doors?

My DB is also in storeroom, same louvre door as you. I decided not to put inverter there because 1. Heat & 2. A bit small there in the future to fit batteries if needed.

I reckon about 12M. In any case it’ll mean that the DC cables will be shorter and more direct running adjacent to my rain water drain pipe. And the AC wiring to DB longer. Anyhow voltage drop for DC is higher but just size the cable properly should be fine.

Anyhow I’ll wait for their proposal and see what they say. My DB is dead center of the house below the staircase.

Ok. I might install next to DB box as well. Considering it. I check spec sheet it says 29dB operating noise. But sometimes at different frequency the noise may be more irritating.

No. Because I have no shading concerns. I do not want micro inverters up in the roof below the panels. More parts = more points of failure.

While the micro inverters won’t be in direct sunlight, can you imagine the radiant heat from the sun? Heat + electronics = no joy.

Yes, I know it is within specification tolerance but what for. No electronics like heat.

I always believe in KISS - keep it simple s….

Yeah. But now I am reconsidering within the store room next to DB box.

Anybody using Huawei inverter here?

My MPPT1 and 2 has a huge difference in terms of voltage. Both have equal number of panels. I do not think it’s normal. Want to exchange notes