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SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters

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How reliable are Sofar inverters for an around-8 kW PV installation, and what problems or failures do users report?

Users report mostly acceptable results: one 6.6KTL-X had no problems for over a year, and another 8.8KTL-X owner said a firmware update to v2.20 removed the old clipping around 8 kW and let the inverter reach full peak power [#18112697] [#18662870] [#19158337] The most common problems in the thread were not outright inverter defects but installation/configuration mistakes: too many panels in one string or the wrong input mode caused DC overvoltage errors such as PvOVP, BusOPV or permanent fault, and the cure was to wire the strings correctly and keep each MPPT within its limits [#18322870] [#18323108] [#18359020] [#18360610] [#18699492] Another recurring issue was grid overvoltage: users saw ID01/Grid OVP shutdowns when mains voltage rose to about 253 V, and one case reached 280 V at the customer side; the inverter was behaving as designed in those cases [#18624602] [#18665849] A few users also mentioned Wi‑Fi/software quirks and awkward warranty handling, with the installer, seller, distributor and Sofar service bouncing responsibility between each other [#18306997] [#18322870] [#18323064] [#18331261] [#18772451] There was at least one real hardware failure report, where an 8.8KTL-X tripped AC overcurrent after about a month and then would not restart, so the unit had to go through warranty [#18771167]
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  • #1411 20422114
    Komodo
    Level 12  
    @ japizgam - and before 7.00 or generally at night, this inverter has a status LED, after which it can be said that it is operational? Alternatively, is there any other way to find out if it's operational, apart from measuring the DC voltage.
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  • #1412 20422119
    tom.pk
    Level 16  
    There must be a suitable DC voltage. Do you have a monitoring app?
  • #1414 20447221
    Komodo
    Level 12  
    Installation fixed. The installer confused the cables - the polarity was reversed. In fact, this inverter gives no sign of life when there is only AC voltage.

    After 8 days of operation, unfortunately, I have another problem. 4 times failed to start! i.e. the inverter turns on, the power is set to 0.01 kWh and that's it, all the time. When I turn it off and on, it immediately works properly and the power jumps to the correct values. It happened both with cloudy sky and clear sky. Is there a known issue with this inverter?
    Here is a link to the specification: https://soltec.pl/pl/falowniki-sieciowe/638-sofar-2700tl-g3-5903714211166.html
    I have the software version 360.
    ---
    Reply a day later: update under warranty to version 380, supposedly solves the problem.
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  • #1415 20469120
    bolek
    Level 35  
    How is it with this power increase with SW3?. There are either some laconic statements, or threads are closed. Supposedly a division into 6.6 and above due to weight and chokes, but I read that even people like 4.4 were doing 8.8kW
    I peeked at my 6.6kW. soft 2.10, inside sticker 2.10 and... label 4.4-12kW. I moved it from 1101 to 1011 and the info system jumped 10kW. So there is a chance that you will not have to change the inverter after adding panels and obtaining 10kWpp
    For now, I have not had the opportunity to check the maximum production because at 11 o'clock I have installed 5.7kW (roof +/- 40 degrees), and at 12 o'clock I have now hung 3kW, but they are basically at about 10 degrees. The first full sunny day (2.03) gave a peak of 5.8kW, which is still a little to the nominal limit of 6kW.
  • #1417 20469328
    bolek
    Level 35  
    So basically nothing is known. :) Well, you have to wait for the next "lighting season".
  • #1418 20469707
    Krzychooo
    Level 16  
    bolek wrote:
    So basically nothing is known. :) Well, you have to wait for the next "lighting season".

    Nothing is known because the "measurement" method sucks. No offense to the filmmaker.
    You need to measure it properly and record data from the display and meters in parallel.
    The display shows the data programmed by the software developer, not some "measurements".
    Of course, they can be true, but they don't have to be. Especially after moving the jumper.
    Then you can say something. Otherwise, it's wandering in ... a sharp shadow of fog. 8-) :D

    Has anyone ever done something like this?
  • #1419 20472134
    bolek
    Level 35  
    The shadow of the mist, but dull. Now I come, and he shows that he is flying on 10kW - what a miracle?.
    Well, such that 2+2!=4 SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters
  • #1420 20472269
    Janusz_kk
    Level 39  
    bolek wrote:
    Now I come, and he shows that he is flying on 10kW - what a miracle?.

    You changed the jumpers, and with them the coefficients measuring the power in the inverter change, they wrote earlier that changes in the configuration to a higher type result in this, they differ more than just chokes.
    Go back to the old settings and you will have correct readings.
  • #1421 20472370
    bolek
    Level 35  
    I will wait for the full sun and see what the meter at the connection actually shows, because I also noticed that the current of the second string likes to run the same way as the first one. And that would mean that efficiency will also have nothing to do with normality.
  • #1422 20472493
    Krzychooo
    Level 16  
    Janusz_kk wrote:
    You changed the jumpers, and with them the coefficients that measure the power in the inverter change
    That's what I was thinking about when I wrote about the "programmed" data displayed on the LCD.

    THIS MUST BE MEASURED with your own energy meter.
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  • #1423 20500107
    Rybus85
    Level 23  
    Gentlemen. Set on the ground. Orientation south with a slight tendency to the east. The panel set is 10 x Corab Encor 405W and the inverter is a sofarsolar 3300TL G3. The company cooperates with Corab and sofar, so even GW has a contract that guarantees replacement of the inverter within 24 hours in the event of a failure.
    As for oversize, many people from my work have sofas oversized up to 120% for several years.
    Installation in a corridor without heating. 80 cm from the ceiling will be easily maintained :)
    So much for now, I want to see how I will leave after a year two and then a possible decision to change the inverter and add panels.
    On cloudy days up to 240V. In sunny years between 238-242V, the most I've seen so far is 245V. I am also writing about it, because the neighbor has a 12kWp installation opposite and a small farm somewhere with 40kWp from 100-200m.
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  • #1424 20500504
    Krzychooo
    Level 16  
    Rybus85 wrote:
    The most I've seen so far is 245V. I am also writing about it, because the neighbor has a 12kWp installation opposite and a small farm somewhere with 40kWp from 100-200m.
    Normally lucky. ;-)
  • #1425 20500508
    Rybus85
    Level 23  
    Krzychooo wrote:
    Rybus85 wrote:
    The most I've seen so far is 245V. I am also writing about it, because the neighbor has a 12kWp installation opposite and a small farm somewhere with 40kWp from 100-200m.
    Normally lucky. ;-)

    You don't even know how happy I am about this :D I hope it stays that way for longer. Maybe because a few years ago a new transformer (the previous one could knock out half a village without electricity during storms) and I have 100m to it
  • #1426 20500554
    Krzychooo
    Level 16  
    Rybus85 wrote:
    You don't know how happy I am about this...
    I assure you that I know. I have thoroughly researched the problem...
  • #1427 20500557
    Rybus85
    Level 23  
    I'm sorry. I'm nervous about Enea right now. Company failure. It's been almost a month since the installation was reported, the installation has been standing for 3 weeks and there are no people. But to find out that the name of the G3 inverter is missing, they were able to send the letter after 2.5 weeks. Hands fly with this company...
  • #1428 20503462
    toma1981
    Level 12  
    Gentlemen, is the end that comes out of the +panel connected to the plus in the inverter because now to connect it, I have to press mc4 to the red cable - the minis end yes SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters

    Yes, it is to be pressed and connected to the panel and the red one under + of the inverter is to fly
    SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters
  • #1429 20504361
    prose
    Level 36  
    If it is + from the cable, it is to + the inverter.
  • #1430 20505350
    toma1981
    Level 12  
    I have a sofar 8.8 G3 inverter, 5 panels of 550w are connected to mppt1 and 5 panels to mppt2 and the installation is working and my friend says to connect all panels to one mppt because he claims that my voltage on mppt 1 and 2 is too low around 200v
  • #1432 20508482
    toma1981
    Level 12  
    But from what I see, the installation is doing well and I don't know if it makes sense to put all the panels under one MPPT. For comparison, the installation in question with a power of 5.5 kW produced 10 kW today and the other installation I have 3.5 kW produced 6 kW today. I will add that today it was cloudy.
  • #1433 20509367
    Rybus85
    Level 23  
    Just out of curiosity. Leave MPPT scan on or off? Ground installation. Most of the day without any shade will be. Shade possible only in the morning and evening. How do I disable what I type there? Time 0 0? Because I don't think I saw ON/OFF there. Sofara 3300TL G3 inverter.
    Next question. Looking through the settings, I noticed that there is a Polish language, but the security country is 7. Isn't it the Netherlands by chance, looking in the papers?
    For now, these are the questions, I'm still waiting for Enea to finally start the installation.
  • #1434 20509537
    AT PRO
    Level 25  
    Disable, the on or off option will appear before the time selection.
    In the older ones, Poland probably had the number 012.
  • #1435 20509604
    Rybus85
    Level 23  
    hmmm. It seems to me that when I clicked on MPPT it went straight to time selection. So I don't know if I shouldn't set 0 0 there.
    Anyway, there will probably be no shadow on the panels at all, because in the meantime I met my neighbor and she is willing to shorten the tree quite a lot, which will disturb me :p
  • #1436 20510801
    toma1981
    Level 12  
    Gentlemen, will these bridges hold my 240x113cm panels and will not go with the wind. Six 30 cm bridges (supports) fall on the panel, i.e. at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the panel. Each bridge is caught with six 25mm sheet metal screws to the 32mm thick roof boards. SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters
  • #1439 20519267
    Rybus85
    Level 23  
    I was able to disable this MPPT. Not very intuitive operation with this one button is in this inverter. It's a pity that there are no settings from the application or website.
    Waiting for Enea continues. Next week it will be 6 weeks.
  • #1440 20528873
    Rybus85
    Level 23  
    Well, I guess there was a problem with the inverter. It worked ok for two days. Yesterday and today the inverter gets up in the morning at +/- 6 30, jumps to 20W and drops to 10W and so it stands with production. I just noticed it around 10 o'clock yesterday. After turning it off and on, it immediately started with high production. Same today. He got up, jumped to 20 and dropped to 10. Turn off and on again and somehow it produces in this terrible weather.
    I guess I'll have to call the company after Christmas and have them check.
    Sofa 3300TL G3.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion centers on experiences with Sofar inverters in approximately 8kW photovoltaic (PV) installations, focusing on technical issues, durability, and configuration challenges. Users report generally stable operation with models like Sofar 6.6KTL-X and 5.5KTL-X over extended periods, though some face connectivity problems, especially with Wi-Fi and software availability. A recurring technical problem involves input voltage exceeding the maximum allowed 600V DC for single-phase Sofar inverters (notably the 4KTLM-G2), causing errors such as PVOVP and BusOPV and inverter shutdowns. This is often due to too many PV panels connected in series on a single string, with 15 Q.CELLS Q.PEAK G4.1 305W panels sometimes exceeding voltage limits, especially in cold conditions where voltage rises. Solutions include splitting panels into two strings (e.g., 8 and 7 panels) connected to separate MPPT inputs, though some users report this does not fully resolve the issue. The maximum recommended panels per MPPT input is around 9 to avoid surpassing power and voltage limits. Users also discuss the need for three-phase inverters for larger installations above 7kW on a single phase due to grid operator restrictions. Software and firmware updates are sought after but not easily accessible, with some users lacking Polish language support. Comparisons with other brands like SMA and Fronius highlight Sofar's cost advantage but raise concerns about long-term reliability and service support, which is still developing in some regions. Network-related errors such as Grid OFP (over-frequency) have been reported, with troubleshooting involving network frequency checks and inverter restarts. Overall, Sofar inverters are considered a cost-effective option with some technical caveats related to system design, installation quality, and support infrastructure.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Field owners report 0–20 % daily energy loss when Sofar inverters trip on 253 V grid peaks; “set Country Code 12 for Poland and the problem goes away” [Elektroda, 3301, post #18624621] Why it matters: one menu setting often fixes most unexpected shutdowns without replacing hardware.

Quick Facts

• Max. DC input voltage 1000 V & MPPT window 240-850 V (Sofar 8.8KTL-X manual [Uri, #18921613]) • Recommended DC/AC oversize ratio ≤ 1.2 : 1 for KTL-X models [Elektroda, BikeBarian, post #18360391] • Country Code list: PL = 12, DE = 07, NL = 05 [Elektroda, Defence & 3301, post #18851696] • Typical firmware: V2.30 (increases AC limit from 4.0 kW to 4.4 kW on 4.4KTL-X) [Elektroda, prose, post #19034268] • Service e-mail: service.pl@sofarsolar.com; hotline +48 22 123 98 58 [Elektroda, AT PRO, post #18772451]

How reliable are Sofar inverters in everyday use?

Most 6–9 kW owners report trouble-free work for 1–3 years [Elektroda, iborkim, #18112697; Elekt...

Which menu code should I select for Polish grid parameters?

Use Country Code 12 (PL). It lifts the over-voltage trip to 253 V/10 min and 264 V/1 s, matching Polish NC-RFG limits [Elektroda, 3301, post #18851696] Selecting 07 (DE) raises the limit to 264 V but violates declaration of conformity.

My inverter shows ID01 ‘GridOFP’ and stops at noon—what now?

Measure L-N voltage; if it rises above 253 V, ask the DSO to lower tap settings or move PV to another phase. Until then, temporarily change Country Code to DE (07) or install a 230 → 220 V autotransformer [Elektroda, MariuszFEG, post #18623709]

What causes PvOVP / BusOPV errors on 4KTLM-G2 units?

Voc exceeds 600 V in cold sun. Split the 15-panel string into two of 8 + 7 or use a 3-phase inverter that accepts 1000 V DC [Elektroda, noja102, post #18323557]

Is the MPPT Scan function worth enabling?

Enable only when partial shading occurs; it rescans the IV curve at user-set intervals. Service says it "improves harvest under shade" but reduces output 1–2 % on clean arrays [Elektroda, 3301, post #18622124]

How do I update Sofar firmware myself?

  1. Copy the /firmware folder to the SD card.
  2. Insert card, choose Menu → 5.Software Update, enter password 0715.
  3. Wait until ‘Update DSP1 OK’, ‘DSP2 OK’, ‘FUSE OK’, then reboot [Elektroda, Grucha383, post #19029218]

The display boots for one second at dawn—is that harmful?

No. The capacitors charge when DC rises above 180 V, then discharge if current is < 20 mA; this soft-start repeats without affecting lifespan [Elektroda, rydzyk673, post #19035241]

Why does Solarman show 0.9 A per phase even at 0 W?

Firmware ≤ V2.30 reports reactive standby current as active. Real clamp-meter reading is ~0.2 A; ignore the dash-board figure until a patch arrives [Elektroda, wilk125, post #19038447]

Edge case: can the inverter fail after a breaker trip?

Yes—one 8.8KTL-X died after a 16 A AC breaker opened; display stayed dark despite correct DC voltage, requiring warranty swap [Elektroda, gotycki1, post #18771167]

How to auto-run a 1.5 kW boiler only on surplus PV?

Install a PR-energised relay with the inverter’s CT loop; set closure above 4.5 kW export so the heater engages only in excess production [Elektroda, 3301, post #19053070]
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