GivEnergy vs SunSynk : Which Hybrid Solar Inverter?!
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- Опубликовано: 30 янв 2024
- I need your help!
Choosing the right solar inverter is like picking your champion fighter: power, speed, reliability, all in the ring!
In this video, we clash Givenergy and Sunsynk head-to-head, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. 
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Go for sunsynk, much more capable and flexible. I have a GE ac coupled charger + GE batteries (3.2kw peak discharge) . Its weak and slow to respond. By the time the kettles boiled, it's ramped up about 1/4 of the way there. Its ok and has saved me a lot of money, but if I had to do it again, it would definitely be the 8kw sunsynk (having looked at all the others). Also 8kw future proofs and its nice to have headroom without the kit running at max capacity: my example, base load (400w), Heatpump (upto 1.5kw), occasionally car on charge (set to 3.5kw) kettle (2kw), electric hob (2kw per ring) projector + console (600w). Not everything runs at the same time, but in a busy household, it's difficult to micromanage during peak times. Hope that helps, and thanks for sharing your journey 👍
Thanks for the comment! Sounds like I'm on the right track!
Sunsynk 8kw here, no experience of the others.
Being techie, I'm happy with the level of detail provided in the app and website.
I think the main draw for this one over others was the charge/discharge rate as you say.
Also, if your installer allows, or you request from sunsynk, you get a lot of control of the settings via app and website.
Not sure if they support octopus intelligent yet but you can configure time based schedules for battery charging etc.
Home Assistant can be used to control it based on whatever criteria you'd like. I'm in the process of getting this part set up when I get some time. (HA is quite the time sink)
Time synk
Thanks for the comment! Good to hear that I'm on the right track!
did you have to apply for DNO G99 and do you export back to the grid?
@@kevinkitho
Yes g99 was done by my installer.
Once all completed I applied for export with octopus. Took a while to get it through.
hi i have a Sunsynk system . 8kw hybrid inverter 3 x 5.12kwh sunsynk batteries and 16 x 390kw JA solar all black panels 12 south east and 4 south west , love the system and really like the way it works in a power cut , you don't even know it's happened until the app tells you your off grid .
Thanks for the comment and for sharing your experience!
Sounds great, What provider are you with?
@@kevinkitho Octopus energy is the only way to go! Sign up for £50 credit. share.octopus.energy/bold-mist-390
Away to finalise our system. Considering similar system as your Sunsynk or Givenergy 5kW inverter, 9kw battery, 18x420watt panels… pros and cons of 2x smaller batteries or 1 x large battery? Looking to charge hot water tank and battery storage with any excess we produce, any thoughts?
i have the myenergi eddi power diverter and harvi to heat the hot water, it works by sensing when your system is exporting electric and diverting it back into your hot water tank as for the batteries it depends on the price and space you have and what they are capable of discharging but love the system, i live in the Northwest which is not the best but this month it's starting to come to life again after a few quiet months
@@kevinkitho
I have the 8kw Sunsynk inverter connected with 2 of the 5.12kw batteries...Only had it a couple of weeks but it seems very good...I actually had it feeding the house with 4800 Watts at one point when using an electric shower...It was a toss up between this set up and the GivEnergy AIO
Thanks for the comment! Sounds like I'm on the right track then!
Hey another great video. Not something i am super familiar with but the All in one and the gen 3 inverter are a bit different one can do off grid i think that is rhe AIO. You can check the tech sheet.
Thanks for the comment!
For my situation, the off grid capability isn't really important as we live in the suburbs of a major city where we don't experience power cuts like more rural areas would.
I've discounted the AIO due to the significant premium attached to it.
After getting burned with my first setup I just got a Sunsynk 8kW + Sunsynk battery and I never been happier, it’s amazing, runs smooth as silk and runs everything I tried so far, stove, geysers, pool heat pump everything without breaking a sweat.
How do you find the app and customer services ? they score low on the app stores and trust pilot ?
@@waynegaskell yea I noticed when I downloaded it, but I honestly can’t see why because the app works really well. Gives you all the data live from the inverter, even gives you a brilliant graph which you can use to easily fine tune the settings to what works best for you to save the most. Even tells you how much coal, co2 and other things you saved on during your use of the solar, it’s brilliant, I love it.
Nothing beats the sunsynk/deye inverter. Nothing. Back up service is insanely good too and 24/7. You sound unsure. You should ask installers that have experience with different types of inverters. We love the sunsynk or deye inverters as we install commission and walk away. They take some time to understand with the myriad of settings for all types of applications. But once understood, they are.an.easy install. Work well with prepaid meters and can be set for different feedback or not scenarios.
Have you evaluated the Puredrive II AC 10kwhr battery solution as a stand alone VPP device and have your setup work separately but along side it. Their VPP app looks simple enough.
Thanks for the comment! Yes, i've discounted that purely on cost.
The more I read , the more I think Emphase micro inverters are the way to go. One panel can never pull the rest of the string down. And you can mix and match panels on different roofs. Plus the micro inverters have a 25 year warranty.
Their lower light condition efficiency can be lower than string inverters. Which in the UK is quite frequent - you may be producing say 1/5 or less rated output quite a lot of the time in winter. Good if you have some shading some of the time, but if not, you may pay a penalty.
Thanks for the comment!
They certainly have their advantages, but they are not without a few weaknesses, especially when it comes to coupling battery storage.
@@simon7790 Not sure , from what can see they wire straight into the consumer unit. So providing the battery is ac coupled like the give energy aio. Could be wrong. Its all new to me.🤷♂️
Whether a panel or inverter goes down don't you face the same issue of whether a warranty will cover scaffolding and labour costs to fix? Granted with micro inverter one can wait longer to address but you also have more points of (potential) future failure?
@@nortonansell1:05
I have two 5.5KW Sunsynks working as master and slave with a sunsynk 5kw battery attached to each supplied by 29 pv panels all south facing. I also have a Mitsubishi 11kw ASHP and have been running both systems for about a year now. On the Sunsynk inverters I've only had one issue which may be more to do with the DNO who allow me to export 11KVA but the system disconnects at about 9KW. Installer is no help at all. Anyway this configuration may address your concerns with respect to expansion at a later date which may mean more pain in getting DNO G99 approval. The installer has limited the charge and discharge rate to around 2 to 3KW per hour from each inverter/ battery combination. This can be a bit frustrating when Octopus have a saving session. In general use 5 to 6KW copes fine for 90% of the time with house usage only requiring top up from the grid when both ASHP and cooking or electric shower are being used simultaneously. I think you also mentioned an interest in the off grid capability of Sunsynk. This is possible but because of UK regulations any devices required to be off grid have to wired to a separate distribution board only connected to the inverter. If the Grid fails the inverter automatically disconnects for the safety of any one working on the grid. So my conclusions to the issues raised is to use the 5.5KW now and upgrade with a second later on if you want more capacity (make sure the installer documents the string configuration to make that easier..mine didn't). It maybe you find it more cost effective to go for the duel inverter solution from day one, check the costing with your installer. If you want a simple life the 8.8KW sunsynk is a good option, only one set of parameters to monitor/change and as long as its specified correctly there is a good case for allowing peak PV clipping to flaten the curve of daily output. There is a down side of Sunsynk but I suspect its the same with most manufacturers in that their support is poor especially when updating their software. Also downloading data is not easy. Future proofing is a difficult one. With the onset of electric cars issues such as charging times/rates/tariffs will probably require significant additions/ modifiactions to be made!
Thanks for your reply. This is an old video for me now as i've had my system installed. I did opt for the 8.8 Sunsynk in the end to future proof any battery upgrades.
You can see my installation here: ruclips.net/video/Sdc7v8G3lnU/видео.html
I'm just waiting on the DNO application to come back on the same 8.8kW Sunsynk inverter. I have also ordered the 15.5kWh Fogstar battery which has up to 200a charge rates. Battery is on pre-order for end of May so hopefully the DNO app comes through, I can get the solar installed and the battery arrives first week of June to test it all out. Plus side is the battery is only £2500 and you can hunt around for discount codes, I managed to get 10% off so £2250 for usable 12.4kWh @ 80% DOD seems a bargain to me. Can't imagine I'd need to hammer the battery full pelt until we get to winter and those saving session 😉
If you /are/ going to get batteries that plug into the inverter to timeshift electricity rates, go for the biggest inverter you can. You'll probably have a low continuous power draw, but high peaks - cooking, washing machines, fridge/freezer pumps - and you don't want your inverter running flat out every time someone makes a cup of tea. Batteries are connected in parallel - mine are 80A nominal charging, but there are four of them, so that's 320A total (and 460A discharge...). Also the figures for the inverters are usually peak charging rates which might only cover 30-45mins. Over 4 or 6 hours the average charging rates will be 85-90% of the peak depending on the temperature. I guess it's possible that the givenergy has such a low charge power it might be able to do that continuously.
Thanks for the comment!
That's insightful. I did presume there would be some ramping up and down to charging and discharging, but I hadn't really considered how much of an issue that would be.
While I've made good headway in recouping my ROI - gen 1 GE 5k inverter and 8.2kwh battery, I agree with others that it's not always the quickest to ramp up and start using the battery.
Also the modest discharge from battery. Finally, firmware support for said issues promised but nowhere to be seen.
If I knew now what I knew then I'd go with the Sunsynk 5K I think.
Thanks for the comment! Sounds like I'm on the right track!
Hi all i'm really struggling with picking between the 2 proposals below (sunsynk and givenergy) and a bit torn between them as they came in at roughly the same price. I'd really appreciate a bit of advice to help my decision as really want to get it right.
1st is the Sunsynk 3.6 hybrid inverter with 2 x 5.1 kwh sunsynk batteries and 12 JA solar pv panels. The 2nd is for the givenergy 3.6 KW hybrid gen3 inverter, 1 x 9.5 kwh givenergy battery and 12 longi pv panels.
Which one would you go for and why? Thanks in advance and hope its ok for posting on here.
Hello, I chose the Sunsynk based on the superior spec sheet, the ability to work with other brands down the line if necessary and due to the recommendation of several installers.
From what I found out, neither is a bad choice.
Thanks for reply
Just to add that givenergy inverters carry a 12 year warranty opposed to 5 years for the sunsynk. I believe its possible to extend the SS warranty though.
@@heindelport8651 Good point. The Sunsynk warranty increases from 5 years to 10 years when the inverter is paired with Sunsynk batteries.
Wasnt aware of that. Great news and think this is my mind made up 👍
I have a solis 5kw hybrid inverter but looking at your data the SunSynk looks the best one of those three by a long way.
No brainer personally.
Thanks for your comment and some positive reinforcement!
So I’m looks at the same 2 options. 5kw GE or 5.5kw SS inverter with either 9.5/10kw battery. Both options same price either the exact same panels. Just standard house single chain of panels. Might look at EV charger in future. What would you do? Any opinions on reliability, warranty and operating system/ app?
Pros and cons to each system it’s so hard to decide as it’s a big investment.
I chose Sunsynk in the end after a lot of study and deliberation.
I am happy with how it has performed over the last few months. App and web portal are plenty good enough for my uses.
@@UpsideDownFork do you feel it’s good enough to effectively take advantage or charge/ discharge times with say octopus? One draw of the GE is its integration. But with the faster charge/ discharge times of the SS, I’m wondering if this would be negated
@@wexxexbest That was the big winner for me. The incredible charge and discharge rates, both in terms of peak capacity as well as responsiveness to quick load changes.
Very impressive.
@@UpsideDownFork 10 vs 12 year warranty not concern you?
@@wexxexbest Nope, I think 10 is fine 👍
The Sunsynk options are definitely better from a battery openness perspective.
Whether you really need the 8.8kW deserves some calculation ... if you were on a ToU tariff it would enable better peak shaving (and importing energy overnight).
The Sunsynk inverters can be paralleled, which might help with future upgradability, although perhaps your DNO might not approve of such an arrangement and to parallel does appear to need the same hardware and firmware versions.
However I've been unable to get their Octopus Flux integration to work, although I gave up trying in about November (when the sun disappeared) so the software might have moved along since then.
Thanks for the comment.
Flux has set times each day so you can manually program the time periods on the inverter I guess?
If the Octopus integration is flakey then I guess that affects agile most of all?
@@UpsideDownFork Yes you can set the timer manually but this does not result in discharging the battery to the grid.
Normally the inverter "Work Mode" is set to "Limited to Home" where the battery is discharged to satisfy home demands (as determined by the CT clamp). To get the battery to discharge back to the grid the Work Mode needs to be set to "Selling First". Note that in both cases the discharge is gated by the timer settings (discharge mode, min/max battery state of charge).
I think it is possible to use Home Automation to update Work Mode, and I suspect that the Sunsynk Octopus integration was meant to do this through one of their cloud servers.
@@asabriggs6426 Ah, ok that makes sense! Fingers crossed it is remedied soon.
@@UpsideDownFork I've not tried the feature for a few months (not much solar generation to push back in the evenings, plus Octopus Savings Sessions appear to discourage saving off-peak electricity and pushing it in at peak hours) so it could have been remedied.
I think at present its good to establish a flexible approach. My advice would be ,,, instal as many panels as possible, go for at least a 6KW hybrid inverter capable of just hooking up modular batteries at a later date, as now no vat. Solis equipment is worth looking at and pylontech batteries which you can simply hook up and select from the inverter menu. As you have observed tariffs are the key determinant of any payback period, so minimising your outlay is key, whilst avoiding expensive upgrades,
Thanks for your comment! I'm definitely moving in that direction!
lyers lyers. panels are not ecenomical.period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and environmentally very bad. period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If money isn't an option for you and to clam it back later in the pay off period I would defiantly go for the 8.8kw hybrid inverter, I would defiantly go for that if I was to do it all again. especially with an east west house and having a heat pump you need high about of solar each side of your roof.
if I was you I would put 10 JA 545w panels each side of the roof totalling 20 with almost 11kw in total looking at the inverter I could take it if not the JA 455w panels totalling 9.1kw but oversizing really helps on the cloudy days. your only problem would be is getting the G99 or G100 approval. but as you have a heat pump it would look reasonable.
Thanks for the comment. That very much aligns with my thoughts!
@@UpsideDownFork Just don't let installers tell you it cannot be done.
I had to go through a few companies to find one that would do what I wanted.
There was comprises but I'm happy with the production results.
Over the year my full energy Bill's are less than £200 a year inc gas for a 4 double bed house.
What about victon?
Too expensive.
Thanks for the comment 👍
Ensure your installer or seller can give you a replacement unit in case of a breakdown or fault & get that in writing. Am not hearing good things about Sunsynk in terms of timeous replacements or warranty, which is a shame. Would recommend Sunsynk if you’ve got that backup sorted.
After a lot of investigation, I have more confidence in the Sunsynk warranty than GivEnergy.
The issue is you need a different DNO application G100 for the over 32A UK. I have Solax 6kw, charge and discharge rate of 6250w so I can fill my 15kw easily. Responsive inverter 5000w per string. Issue is the battery's are more expensive. Sunsynk would be my next on ya list many battery options as you expand.
Exactly, you`ll need the G100 rather then a G99 and will no doubt have to have export limitation applied as well depending on where you live vs density of properties
Thanks for your comment.
I've had a look online and it seems that a G99 is suitable for up to 70A.
G100 application is a limited export version of a G99 from what I'm reading.
Can you clarify?
@UpsideDownFork it's the inverter power output, >32A one of the reasons I went for 6kw,
@@derekpaisley620 do you have a link please? SSEN don't mention that at all online.
I better be sure before I go any further 🤔
One thing that you didn't mention and something that I as an installer regard as very important is the maximum pass through current
The Sunsynk 8 kw has 50 Amp . This means that you can put a much higher load on the inverter and most, if not all of the house can run through the inverter
With a smaller inverter you are quite limited to what you can actually have connected to the inverter
Yes, that's a great point 👍
it is a total lie.8.8 kw sunsynk. when i use 4 kw it trips. sorry.it is the ugly truth. never sunsynk or solar again.but i bought now.stupid me.
@@nvv5452 what C rating is your battery?
What size are your battery leads and fuses?
What are your battery settings?
I have never had a problem pulling full power from the 8 kW unit (actually it is 8.8kW)
I do however find most installations done incorrectly
You also won't be able to draw 4 kW from any inverter if you only have 3 kW of solar and no or insufficient battery
Something wrong with your installation....
Il say Sunsynk I have a 5kw with 15kw Battery and 12 x 475 Pannels split in 2 .All Facing North in south africa and I'm off grid. Not 1 days problems . Sunsynk updated ther app a month our 2 ago and ther no more delays on the app like in the pass. I have a 5kw Generator connected to my system for raining days.
I have Sunsynk 5.32 battery with inverter and 2.4 kw panels, only issue I have is the mobile app is absolutely crap, read the comments on both Android and IOS, this company should not be able to get away with it in my view, unable to really see what I generate in power and where it goes.
Thanks for the comment. I've responded in this video: ruclips.net/video/gV8-LSfNIQg/видео.html
@@UpsideDownForkThank you for picking up on this but I must stress the point I’m making is the comments from the mobile app in IOS and Android speaks volumes with frustrations, not everyone wants to drag around a 32 inch screen when they leave the house! 😂
@@indianprince6492 Let's hope that significant UI improvements come!
@@UpsideDownFork me too, their hardware is great no complaints there, even ordered another battery, they just need to invest in the AI more and they will do very well in the market. Thanks anyway for your feedback it’s been appreciated 👍
App is great. One of the best.
i have 2 sunsynk 3.6 ecco 4k and 4.4k solar systems... very good
Thanks for the comment.
Sounds like I'm on the right track then!
try to get the most powerful panels you can get for the inverter, i've got 8x555w (4.4k) on a 3.6k inverter.. J A solar 555w@@UpsideDownFork
@@robin5215 Are they the silver framed panels? I think because of the larger size I can't get as many kWp on my roof.
yes they are the large ones@@UpsideDownFork
@@robin5215 Ok, i've been playing with opensolar and it looks like the smaller ones yield a better overall output. Plus, i'd have to try and get the silver frames past my wife...😁
Both are GOOD and have +/-.
GE you are tied into the ecosystem which is both good and bad
Sunsynk - battery wise is more flexible
GE, however is limited to 3.6kw whilst running on battery ONLY. So when no sun/night if your load exceeds 3.6kw then you will draw from Grid.
Sunsynk, 5kw Hybrid has 5kw max in same situation, 8.8kw Hybrid has 8.8kw.
Sunsynk also has the LifeLynk coming soon - Hybrid inverter + battery in one unit - variety of size inverters/batteries.
These can be installed in parallel - so install 2 x 5kw with 5.12kw batteries, or 3 x 3.6kw Inverter with 5.12kw Batteries.
Worth remembering that a Hybrid Inverter can be used with Solar PV or without.
Your confusing the AC output (amps) to the PV DC input (amps).
These are completely different entities.
The 15A/13A/22A refers to the maximum current that can be produced from the PV panels.
99% of panels produce amps of 12-15ish.
When you wire PV panels in series the Current (Amps) remains the same as for a single panel. Its the voltage that increases so a 35V 12A panel x 2 = 70V @ 12A , 3 = 105V @ 12A
When you wire PV panels in parallel the Voltage remains constant, the Current increases - 35V 12A panel x 2 = 35V @ 24A, x 3 = 35V @ 36A
You are also confusing Charge Rate and Discharge Rate.
With a Hybrid Inverter Charge/Discharge rates are DC calculations related to how much energy the battery can give/receive
This is then "transformed" into AC
.
The rate at which the AC can be supplied to the House/Grid is a function of the number in Row 11 - 21.7A, 22.7A, 32.4A times UK Voltage ~ 240V
So would be 21.7A x 240V = 5.2kw, 22.7A x 240V = 5.45kw, 32.4A x 240V = 7.78kw
This gives you the maximum that can be supplied to the house/grid at any one time.
Sorry if I didn't make it clear regarding AC output vs DC Input. There's no time stamp on your comment so i'm not sure which bit needs correcting?
Regarding the battery charge and discharge rates, I believe these are quoted at the 48V DCfor the batteries rather than at the 240V AC for the grid/load.
Annoyingly, some of the datasheets also rate things at 230V instead of 240V.
More standardisation would be helpful!
Advise lmao your a bit late with that concidering your toxic replies.
Hillarious your installer is going to love you.
Thanks for your advice, it's much appreciated!
Sunsynk all day mate. Got my 16kw inverter, 4 x 5kw batteries and 17 x 540w panels on the way.
i have new 8.8 kw sunsynk.2 dyness batteries. dongle or wifi not work. when i use 4 or 5 kw inverter trips. it is very very bad. never sunsynk again.period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's not been my experience and hearing from others that Sunsynk have been very reliable.
Bad installation...
i have same inverter. can do 8kw continuos no issue
Definitely bad installation.
The Gary Does Solar channel makes a good argument for microinverters - one on each panel - rather than a single string inverter. May be especially suitable for your shading ? You then have AC coming off the roof. I’m probably going that way, coupled with the givenergy All-in-one 13.5kWh/ 6 kW battery.
Gary done a follow up video showing that micro inverters are not essential, but if you have heavy part shading it might be worth looking into with his shaped roof but it is an additional expense and might not be worth the capital outlay
Thanks for the comment.
Micro-inverters may well be the best option for my front roof, but if I look to add panels to the back and substantial battery capacity then a hybrid inverter will work much better for me.
Definitely pros and cons each way, depending on circumstances.
Just seen panel optimizers by tigo which looks like a promising solution. She tested them side by side with enphase ruclips.net/video/KFOM2SQ_qNM/видео.htmlsi=c4GbYq6SzVr3AVEO
@@UpsideDownFork I am trying to choose between companies who install a Sunsynk inverter + battery system; a Fox inverter + battery system and a Deyer inverter with Dyness battery system. Many people use the Dyer or Sunsynk inverters which seem to have been around for a while. Fox seems relatively new but claims to have a better battery modular system with better battery battery voltage efficiency. Please comment and advise.
@@tomcampbell5101 I only have experience with Sunsynk but a critical thing for me is the charge and discharge rate.
No point having 10-20kWh of batteries but you can only discharge at 3ish kW. So you've got the washing machine on and cooking dinner with the oven and induction hob on, quickly you need 5 or 6kW, so you end up drawing half of your power from the grid because the inverter can't handle those big loads.
I personally felt Sunsynk was worth the money for this reason.
Having a heat pump in the home influenced our decision.
On very cold days it can draw 1kW constantly just ticking along in the background.