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

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Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
  • #751 19447224
    jareksz
    Level 12  
    toolpusher wrote:
    Why do you need a higher one, it does not give you anything - upload soft 2.20 - there is a link in post # 726. If this does not help you, the inverter is blown. I have the impression that the inverter is without warranty and you are grabbing a razor.

    The inverter is new installed a month ago, it pisses me off that it broke down on Friday at 13 and I immediately reported to the company what installed it, they came and said that they would make a service request, but the service works from Monday to Friday 8-16 and I'm trying to find out what could be the reason because the panels are standing and do not produce electricity. I also want to protect myself for the future, because knowing the work of the service specialists, it may take a while. I am also suggesting this movie and according to this movie it is soft 2.70 which solves previous problems.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbKiFjsZqq8
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  • #752 19447255
    toolpusher
    Level 23  
    I've seen this video a long time ago. This guy is some authority, service representative? The bug fixer is soft 2.20 or 2.30. Softy above is cosmetic. Anyway, most of them would have to update the software. I have 2.30 and the service replied that there was no such need because the next soft did not change anything. Take your dog for a walk and enjoy life. With this attitude, a heart attack before 50 is guaranteed.
    In addition, many people have a problem with uploading higher softs because they simply do not enter.
  • #753 19447259
    jareksz
    Level 12  
    toolpusher wrote:
    I've seen this video a long time ago. This guy is some authority, service representative? The bug fixer is soft 2.20 or 2.30. Softy above is cosmetic. Anyway, most of them would have to update the software. I have 2.30 and the service replied that there was no such need because the next soft did not change anything. Take your dog for a walk and enjoy life. With this attitude, a heart attack before 50 is guaranteed.
    In addition, many people have a problem with uploading higher softs because they simply do not enter.

    You're right, I'm going for a walk and then I'll pour myself one or two :)
  • #754 19447317
    Janusz_kk
    Level 39  
    jareksz wrote:
    You're right, I'm going for a walk and then I'll pour myself one or two

    Exactly, you have a guarantee that I would not move the software at all because they can get stuck.
    If you fall under the warranty, give info, I repair industrial electronics.
  • #755 19447320
    theo33
    Level 27  
    jareksz wrote:
    toolpusher wrote:

    The inverter is new installed a month ago, it pisses me off that it broke down on Friday at 13 and I immediately reported to the company what installed it, they came and said that they would make a service request, but the service works from Monday to Friday 8-16 and I'm trying to find out what could be the reason because the panels are standing and do not produce electricity. I also want to protect myself for the future, because knowing the work of the service specialists, it may take a while. I am also suggesting this movie and according to this movie it is soft 2.70 which solves previous problems.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbKiFjsZqq8

    I would wait for a while, May 13th and still on Friday it's not good
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  • #756 19447484
    casuss
    Level 2  
    As suggested by prose, I installed version 2.20, the "SWVersionFault" will disappear, the inverter is working fine. So it looks like you cannot download any higher firmware version to the inverter. In my example, version 2.80 cannot be installed on version 2.10. Thanks for the help.
  • #757 19447523
    prose
    Level 35  
    casuss wrote:
    So it looks like you cannot download any higher firmware version to the inverter.

    It also depends on what the hardware version is.
    SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters
  • #758 19447634
    grzes601
    Level 14  
    SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters
    Can I have a hint; when the error indicated in the attached photo occurs.
  • #759 19447786
    rokbok
    Level 38  
    The thermometer symbol as a warning usually signals that the temperature limit is exceeded, but I may be wrong.
  • #760 19448164
    Grucha383
    Level 12  
    casuss wrote:
    As suggested by prose, I installed version 2.20, the "SWVersionFault" will disappear, the inverter is working fine. So it looks like you cannot download any higher firmware version to the inverter. In my example, version 2.80 cannot be installed on version 2.10. Thanks for the help.


    Well, it is impossible to write once, because I wanted to upload 2.80 and I have 2.20 and there was this error. So I stay at 2.20 and do not combine any more.
  • #761 19448173
    prose
    Level 35  
    Grucha383 wrote:
    Well, it is impossible to write once, because I wanted to upload 2.80 and I have 2.20 and there was this error. So I stay at 2.20 and do not combine any more.
    It is not worth it because in higher softach it is only additional country standards and languages.
  • #762 19448190
    3301
    Level 34  
    grzes601 wrote:
    SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters
    Can I have a hint; when the error indicated in the attached photo occurs.


    If it occurs, it will be saved in the inverter's memory and if you have monitoring, it will also be in the solarman
  • #763 19451552
    prose
    Level 35  
    maxdax wrote:
    toolpusher wrote:
    As a colleague prose wrote 6.6, only down can be moved.

    Works down to 8.8.

    And how does the inverter perform after the conversion?
  • #764 19452915
    Djhoshi

    Level 8  
    Add and buy SMA.
    We have no problems with them, there is a service in Poland. The initial warranty is also 10 years with the possibility of extension.
    Overall a top-shelf product.
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  • #765 19453122
    grzes601
    Level 14  
    Does SMA (which model) compensate reactive energy?
    What are the possibilities in this regard?
  • #766 19453369
    Janusz_kk
    Level 39  
    grzes601 wrote:
    Does SMA (which model) compensate reactive energy?

    Rather, it produces especially as it approaches the max voltage, it will not compensate you in the reactive network because it is not used for that.
  • #767 19453601
    jareksz
    Level 12  
    theo33 wrote:
    jareksz wrote:
    toolpusher wrote:

    The inverter is new installed a month ago, it pisses me off that it broke down on Friday at 13 and I immediately reported to the company what installed it, they came and said that they would make a service request, but the service works from Monday to Friday 8-16 and I’m trying to find out what could be the reason because the panels are standing and do not produce electricity. I also want to protect myself for the future, because knowing the work of the service specialists, it may take a while. I am also suggesting this movie and according to this movie it is soft 2.70 which solves previous problems.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbKiFjsZqq8

    I would wait for a while, May 13th and still on Friday it’s not good


    The adventure with Sofar 11KTL-X continues
    On Monday, the installer received information that he must send photos of the voltage on the phases, after sending the photos in the afternoon he received the information that he should take the inverter home and copy the data from the SD card and send it to Warsaw, on Tuesday he received the information that the data had been sent to China. Today I called the service at 8:15 and was informed that there was information from China that the inverter was to be replaced, but as of today they are not in stock and I have to wait for them to send from China, I received an answer to my question when they send from China that they have received information that they are to be shipped soon, the panels are for decoration :(
  • #768 19453716
    Cytro12
    Level 26  
    grzes601 wrote:
    Does SMA (which model) compensate reactive energy?
    What are the possibilities in this regard?

    Probably, like most devices, it has PF set to some extent, but it works best with the factory settings and the selected Polish standard. Do you have a workshop that you want to compensate for?
  • #769 19453776
    3301
    Level 34  
    It will compensate the passive but with its own and not with the other receivers.
  • #770 19453886
    Cytro12
    Level 26  
    It will not compensate, because the assumption is that it should only produce active and that is how the Polish standard is set. Any combination with PF settings can cause reactive power and cause trouble. At night, the inverter does not produce reactive power either, at least it shouldn't do that to a large extent. Another device is used for compensation.
  • #771 19453997
    prose
    Level 35  
    Djhoshi wrote:
    Add and buy SMA.

    And you think better SMA, also made in China.
  • #772 19454013
    grzes601
    Level 14  
    Cytro12 wrote:
    At night, the inverter does not produce reactive power either, at least it shouldn't do that to a large extent.

    Unfortunately, this is your wishful thinking.
    For example SOFAR 11KTL-X below 500W active power starts littering the capacitive reactive on each phase.
    The closer to zero the worse it gets. At night, SOFAR generates about 60-70 var of reactive capacitive on each of the phases.
    The situation improves with the dawn as the generated active power increases.


    Djhoshi wrote:
    Add and buy SMA.
    We have no problems with them, there is a service in Poland. The initial warranty is also 10 years with the possibility of extension.
    Overall a top shelf product.

    Write something more.
    What's so good about SMA that others don't.
    Service ?
    SOFAR also has a service. Please do not think at this point about the support of this something sofarsolarpoland that usurps the right to be the "guiding force ... ... sofara".
    Drink water and a photo montage as big as a beer shop. Search for the company's address and go on a trip.
    If you want to get to know your website, I suggest you visit my salesperson in his office and see what the company is. See the website. Talk about possible repairs.
    Let it not be "a booth with a beer and sofara corpses on the wall"
  • #773 19454205
    Cytro12
    Level 26  
    grzes601 wrote:
    Unfortunately, this is your wishful thinking.

    No wishes, just measurements of my third-party inverter, I hope you write about the real behavior of Sofar and not "theories" again

    If you know an inverter that produces zero reactive at night, what a wonder it is.
  • #774 19454328
    3301
    Level 34  
    Cytro12 wrote:
    It will not compensate, because the assumption is that it should only produce active and that is how the Polish standard is set. Any combination with PF settings can cause reactive power and cause trouble. At night, the inverter does not produce reactive power either, at least it shouldn't do that to a large extent. Another device is used for compensation.


    Then you are a little for and a little against.

    You wrote here that the inverter should only produce the active one and at the night also the passive one it does not produce at least to a large extent.
    But it is not so, and you also deny it referring to the measurements of your third-party inverter, and at the end you want to know a miracle that produces zero reactive at night.

    Cytro12 wrote:
    grzes601 wrote:
    Unfortunately, this is your wishful thinking.

    No wishes, just measurements of my third-party inverter, I hope you write about the real behavior of Sofar and not "theories" again

    If you know an inverter that produces zero reactive at night, what a wonder it is.


    How to understand it? that you have an inverter that works with PF equal to 1 in each stage?
  • #775 19454388
    Cytro12
    Level 26  
    3301 wrote:
    You wrote here that the inverter should only produce the active one

    Instead of quoting me, write what your opinion is on the subject because it looks like you don't understand something.
    3301 wrote:
    It will compensate for the passive but own

    How? I am eager to read.
    3301 wrote:
    How to understand it? that you have an inverter that works with PF equal to 1 in each stage?

    Have you read the OSD requirements for PV connection? You can see not very much, or at least you missed the technical issues.
    3301 wrote:
    at night, it also does not produce at least to a large extent.

    3301 wrote:
    But it is not so, and you also deny it referring to the measurements of your third-party inverter, and at the end you want to know a miracle that produces zero reactive at night.

    Well, what is it like, does it produce, compensate or maybe not much, so negligibly according to the comprehensive agreement? I am eager to meet such a miracle that produces nothing if someone has too much of what is now.
  • #776 19454823
    3301
    Level 34  
    Clarifications and answers to queries about Cytro12
    1. The lower the active power production, the more the inverter produces reactive power with the "+" sign, which means the production of capacitive reactive power, including the parameters from the analyzer for 1-phase inverter operation. from 25.05 where the weather was bad and compared to 26th when it was sunny.
    2. The inverter aims to achieve a power factor close to 1, so it automatically compensates for the reactive energy it produces.
    3. The assumptions of the OSD are in IRIESD and the installed inverters have the appropriate certificates, but unfortunately they also produce garbage.
    4. see item 1. and if you trace the results, you will find hours where the actual reactive time is 0

    Generally speaking, I really do not understand your entries and I hope that you will try to explain and not answer the question, changing the meaning of your statements.
  • #777 19455260
    prose
    Level 35  
    Connecting panels over 11 A to sofar or someone tried this method SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters ?
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  • #778 19455290
    Cytro12
    Level 26  
    3301 wrote:
    1. The lower the active power production, the more the inverter produces reactive power with the sign "+"

    So you have an inverter not fully compliant with the Polish standard, at least at this point (in the power range of 20-50% of available active power, the micro installation works only as an active power source). My inverter shows exactly this relationship.
    3301 wrote:
    2. The inverter aims to achieve a power factor close to 1, so it automatically compensates for the reactive energy it produces.

    It does not compensate for anything if it is not already producing as above. And again you have not read the technical conditions because the inverter does not always go to PF1. It depends. Since PF = 1, the inverter produces ONLY active power, it does not compensate for anything, if you set PF = 0.8, the inverter will produce 80% of active power but also 20% of inductive reactive power. For obvious reasons, playing a PF other than 1 means production losses as understood by the prosumer. Of course, by force or stubbornness, you can call it some kind of defective compensation, but without knowing what you are doing and measuring, it usually always ends up badly. The inverter is not used to compensate for reactive power, it is enough that it does not produce it. And when it produces as little as possible. In addition to PF, you can also set the characteristics, this is standard for the selected standard, hence it is so important to correctly set the standard of the country in which the inverter works.
    3301 wrote:
    3. The assumptions of the OSD are in IRIESD and the installed inverters have the appropriate certificates, but unfortunately they also produce garbage.

    Good equipment has to be assembled.

    Decide that the inverter compensates or just doesn't produce reactive power because you don't understand yourself either :) Another thing is that you did not provide what you measure it, when again with some Chinese invention, I am not surprised either.
  • #779 19456000
    09042
    Level 11  
    prose wrote:
    Connecting panels over 11 A to sofar or someone tried this method SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters ?


    I have RISEN RSM150-8-500M panels connected in this way and it works without any problems. Parallel operation set.
    Previously, it was connected to one string and it also worked, but cut the current to 11 A.
    There were peaks of 13A and even more.
  • #780 19456364
    theo33
    Level 27  
    Cytro12 wrote:
    3301 wrote:
    1. The lower the active power production, the more the inverter produces reactive power with the sign "+"

    So you have an inverter not fully compliant with the Polish standard, at least at this point (in the power range of 20-50% of available active power, the micro installation works only as an active power source). My inverter shows exactly this relationship.


    I have a Samil inverter and zamel mew01 is installed between it and the switchgear and everything that appears there is recorded, but it does not save power or display the PF factor, only active and reactive inductive and capacitive energy, so based on hourly indications I took average powers to calculate other important parameters like PF and tan fi.
    practically during the sleep period, i.e. from 20:30 to 05:30, zamel charges about 30 Varh every hour, at the time of starting active production, passive is at the level of 250 Var and begins to decrease only at 1.5 kW, i.e. at 38% of the nominal

    In the range of 20-40% of available active power, it probably produces the most reactive power, PF = 0.99 occurs only above 50% of the rated value.

    Based on what is above, this inverter should also not be compliant with the standard? and I also found https://www.forum-fronius.pl/forum/topic/czy-falownik-musi-produkowac-moc-bierna/?part=2 and the chart shows that this is only producing the passive because at 3 kW active 3.5 kVar reactive and at max. active, i.e. some 7.5 is almost 4 passive, is it supposed to be a compensator?
    Can col. Perhaps refer to this data?

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.
Summary generated by the language model.
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