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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
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  • #901 19621183
    Kejsiq
    Level 8  
    Sure I'll give you, tangjialu(_at_)sofarsolar.com correspondence in English, subject: problem with language change after updating by adding the SN number
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  • #902 19623266
    cyzyk123
    Level 17  
    Hello

    I have Sofar 5.5 KTL-X (Chinese version), I had the firmware version 1.4, I updated to 2.2, everything works Polish, but I have a strange symptom like I have a voltage loss on the AC side (and it happens once every few days once a week), the inverter throws grid errors UFP UVP, i.e. too low voltage, too low frequency, and that would be correct, since there is no voltage on the AC side, but after this error the inverter does not get up by itself, I have to turn off the DC switch for a while and then again when turned on, it synchronizes and works normally. Somewhere someone wrote to me that after changing the firmware this sometimes happens, and apparently returning to the old version should help, but maybe someone knows another solution to this problem?
  • #903 19625505
    damian1987rr
    Level 9  
    And how to check what version of the sofar I have? I mean Chinese or European versions?
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  • #904 19625630
    pief
    Level 17  
    Hello

    If the 4th letter in the SN code is - C, the inverter is the Chinese version.
    regards
  • #905 19625812
    damian1987rr
    Level 9  
    My start is SF4ES. ... .Okay if it's E or Europa?
  • #907 19625830
    damian1987rr
    Level 9  
    Is it better or worse? Is it completely irrelevant?
  • #908 19625838
    pief
    Level 17  
    Better for the European market in my opinion, fewer problems with updating and on-site service.
    regards
  • #909 19641519
    10Tysiecy
    Level 12  
    cyzyk123 wrote:
    Hello

    I have Sofar 5.5 KTL-X (Chinese version), I had the firmware version 1.4, I updated to 2.2, everything works Polish, but I have a strange symptom like I have a voltage loss on the AC side (and it happens once every few days once a week), the inverter throws grid errors UFP UVP, i.e. too low voltage, too low frequency, and that would be correct, since there is no voltage on the AC side, but after this error the inverter does not get up by itself, I have to turn off the DC switch for a while and then again when turned on, it synchronizes and works normally. Somewhere someone wrote to me that after changing the firmware this sometimes happens, and apparently returning to the old version should help, but maybe someone knows another solution to this problem?



    On my street, a few people have Sofara and when the tension faded, these errors were pounding. And everyone had these mistakes. This is information about a power outage.
    I don't think about it.
  • #910 19641887
    cyzyk123
    Level 17  
    cyzyk123 wrote:
    throws grid errors UFP UVP, i.e. too low voltage, too low frequency and it would be correct if there is no voltage on the AC side, but after this error the inverter does not get up by itself, I have to turn off for a while


    I mean specifically that the inverter does not get up by itself after the power failure, I have to manually disconnect it for a while (DC side) and then it's ok
  • #911 19641951
    10Tysiecy
    Level 12  
    cyzyk123 wrote:
    cyzyk123 wrote:
    throws grid errors UFP UVP, i.e. too low voltage, too low frequency and it would be correct if there is no voltage on the AC side, but after this error the inverter does not get up by itself, I have to turn off for a while


    I mean specifically that the inverter does not get up by itself after the power failure, I have to manually disconnect it for a while (DC side) and then it's ok


    But he doesn't get up at all or right away? Will after some time. ??
  • #912 19642231
    scorpion26
    Level 11  
    Hello, can you also use a different configuration of jumpers in the SOFAR 3KTLM-G2 inverter, i.e. switch the power (as in the three-phase series) ??
  • #913 19643526
    cyzyk123
    Level 17  
    10Tysiecy wrote:
    cyzyk123 wrote:
    cyzyk123 wrote:
    throws grid errors UFP UVP, i.e. too low voltage, too low frequency and it would be correct if there is no voltage on the AC side, but after this error the inverter does not get up by itself, I have to turn off for a while


    I mean specifically that the inverter does not get up by itself after the power failure, I have to manually disconnect it for a while (DC side) and then it's ok


    But he doesn't get up at all or right away? Will after some time. ??


    It does not get up at all, waits for the DC to be disconnected, after turning it on again, it normally synchronizes 60 seconds and it is ok, voltage decays may happen once a week but it is annoying if I do not notice it in time, I lose a few hours of production

    Apparently, this is a known problem after changing the software, but I thought someone found a solution to this problem
  • #914 19644865
    10Tysiecy
    Level 12  
    Gentlemen, I have a question. Is it possible to somehow synchronize the data provided by the SOFAR inverter and the Zamel SUPLA counter to calculate, auto-consumption etc? There is such a platform?
  • #915 19647859
    jarczydło
    Level 15  
    Zamel Supla (Mew-01) nicely shows everything, apart from self-consumption, you have to count it on foot.
    In fact, it would be nice to send info about the production from the inverter to zamela and convert it into self-consumption.
    A colleague of Michalux has a way to get data from the inverter (post 892), only this needs to be connected somehow.
  • #916 19647875
    10Tysiecy
    Level 12  
    jarczydło wrote:
    Zamel Supla (Mew-01) nicely shows everything, apart from self-consumption, you have to count it on foot.
    In fact, it would be nice to send info about the production from the inverter to zamela and convert it into self-consumption.
    A colleague of Michalux has a way to get data from the inverter (post 892), only this needs to be connected somehow.


    I wonder if it would be possible to send information from the inverter to the supli application? Or put it all on PVMonitor.
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  • #917 19648057
    galica01
    Level 16  
    Are any of you for some additional cooling for the sofar?

    I did the cooling for the inverter and I have the impression that the profits have improved. The installation from April to September was only passive without cooling. Since September I have fans under the heat sink and I have the impression that the profits are better.

    I compare to several similar installations in my area from the very beginning and I have the impression that after assembling the fans it is better with the yields, the temperature of the inverter has dropped by 20p from 60 to 40 in full sun.

    What do you think about it?

    Overall, I am very happy with the installation because I rather have top-shelf profits with my 6.84kWp
    Installation preview https://www.solarmanpv.com/portal/Terminal/TerminalMain.aspx?pid=133231
  • #918 19648113
    cygan32
    Level 11  
    I have fans for cooling, but apart from the temperature drop, I don't see any difference
  • #919 19648334
    10Tysiecy
    Level 12  
    galica01 wrote:
    Are any of you for some additional cooling for the sofar?

    I did the cooling for the inverter and I have the impression that the profits have improved. The installation from April to September was only passive without cooling. Since September I have fans under the heat sink and I have the impression that the profits are better.

    I compare to several similar installations in my area from the very beginning and I have the impression that after assembling the fans it is better with the yields, the temperature of the inverter has dropped by 20p from 60 to 40 in full sun.

    What do you think about it?

    Overall, I am very happy with the installation because I rather have top-shelf profits with my 6.84kWp
    Installation preview https://www.solarmanpv.com/portal/Terminal/TerminalMain.aspx?pid=133231



    What is this fan? All in all, this is the only thing I wanted to do with this inverter. It does not rummage in the software, etc., because I am satisfied and I am not looking for impressions ;)
  • #920 19648485
    galica01
    Level 16  
    I bought computer fans 5 pcs 70x70x15mm, glued them together and mounted under the heat sink, I had the controller from the old stove and it was great, I set the switching on at 27 degrees with hysteresis 1 level. Of course, the regulator can be whatever I had, I gave it

    The assembly was very simple and aesthetic, I installed two springs on the connection 1 and 2 of the fan and 4 and 5 for the springs - a wire and retraction from the top of the heat sink so that the springs were slightly stretched all the time so that the fans rest against the heat sink from the bottom. Installation totally non-invasive
    The total cost for me is the cost of the fans PLN 4 / pc

    One note is that the fans are on 12v but they work on 5v because when I gave them 12v they were spinning too much and the noise was considerable and not needed, and the heat sink does not exceed 30 degrees and the fans stand more than spin.

    I hope that thanks to this cooling, the inverter will survive because the electronics do not like heat :D

    If someone wants to do such cooling and has questions, I will help because it really works

    SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters SOFAR 8kW PV Installation: Opinions, Durability, Failures & Experiences with Inverters
  • #921 19650573
    Krzychooo
    Level 16  
    cyzyk123 wrote:
    10Tysiecy wrote:
    cyzyk123 wrote:
    cyzyk123 wrote:
    throws grid errors UFP UVP, i.e. too low voltage, too low frequency and it would be correct if there is no voltage on the AC side, but after this error the inverter does not get up by itself, I have to turn off for a while


    I mean specifically that the inverter does not get up by itself after the power failure, I have to manually disconnect it for a while (DC side) and then it's ok


    But does he not get up at all or right away? Will after some time. ??


    It does not get up at all, waits for the DC to be disconnected, after turning it on again, it normally synchronizes 60 seconds and it is ok, voltage decays may happen once a week but it is annoying if I do not notice it in time, I lose a few hours of production

    Apparently, this is a known problem after changing the software, but I thought someone found a solution to this problem


    I had the same on my 8.8KTL-X.
    After the intervention, the service remotely fixed it and the problem disappeared. Apparently they set something up in the configuration. Unfortunately, I don't know what.
    They had to do it through the Solarman server, because somehow I don't see any possibility of getting into my network from the outside ...
  • #922 19676667
    edekzelian
    Level 10  
    slonina wrote:
    Michalux wrote:
    If anyone was interested, I was able to match the Sofar's K-TLX data through the LSW-3 logger (WiFi S / N 17xxxxxx module).
    Python script polls LSW-3 and receives data issued by modbus, also all data sent to PVMonitor is available locally :D


    I will also provide a link to the repository for those interested:
    https://github.com/MichaluxPL/Sofar_LSW3

    Thanks for sharing, this app does a great job with the LSW-3 Series 17 datalogger. Only the "inverter_sn" configuration is not very intuitive, because it is not about the inverter number but the LSW-3 datalogger number.
    Previously, I read the curl production from the datalogger's web interface in a primitive way, now there is access to everything including string and phase voltages / currents and even reactive power, so you can easily send more data to PVmonitor. Is there a description of the names of individual variables used in the PVmonitor service somewhere on the forum (F1, F2 etc.)?


    So you can send data without additional devices sold by PVmonitor? how?
  • #923 19676715
    ter12
    Level 11  
    Hello
    I have had an installation with HYD-5KTL-3PH for several days. Yesterday, after the night, it did not switch to the power production mode, it waited for itself - after the restart, everything started to work - no errors. This morning I check a dark display, nothing works, the inverter is dead ... The question is, are these Sofars sitting out of nothing? I suppose I have a 10-year warranty, but if it burns out from time to time, it can be replaced with one with similar parameters?
  • #925 19676921
    jarczydło
    Level 15  
    edekzelian wrote:
    So you can send data without additional devices sold by PVmonitor? how?


    You have to put the script on something anyway, some own server (cheap terminal), for example Smart Home and PVmonitor unnecessary.
  • #926 19678857
    ter12
    Level 11  
    prose wrote:
    Have you checked the Pv voltages?


    As it was a question for me, everything was checked (the current from the panels and the grid was normal).
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  • #927 19686252
    edekzelian
    Level 10  
    jarczydło wrote:
    edekzelian wrote:
    So you can send data without additional devices sold by PVmonitor? how?


    You have to put the script on something anyway, some own server (cheap terminal), for example Smart Home and PVmonitor unnecessary.


    It's a bomb :) Can you also send to PVmonitor? :)
    So maybe I will ask by the way, what is it worth buying a 3-phase meter so that you can have a preview of the current consumption for inspection along with the reading from the inverter? The PV monitor reads data, for example, from the sdm630 modbus, but via a cable. And there will be something wire free?
  • #928 19686694
    marwi123
    Level 12  
    edekzelian wrote:
    jarczydło wrote:
    edekzelian wrote:
    So you can send data without additional devices sold by PVmonitor? how?


    You have to put the script on something anyway, some own server (cheap terminal), for example Smart Home and PVmonitor unnecessary.


    It's a bomb :) Can you also send to PVmonitor? :)
    So maybe I will ask by the way, what is it worth buying a 3-phase meter so that you can have a preview of the current consumption for inspection along with the reading from the inverter? The PV monitor reads data, for example, from the sdm630 modbus, but via a cable. And there will be something wire free?



    Only a dedicated solarman counter for almost 1kpln and it will be in one application
  • #929 19686747
    Sapient
    Level 8  
    marwi123 wrote:
    for almost 1kpln

    You can buy it for PLN 775 gross
    Only little information about its operation on the Internet
  • #930 19686917
    marwi123
    Level 12  
    Sapient wrote:
    marwi123 wrote:
    for almost 1kpln

    You can buy it for PLN 775 gross
    Only little information about its operation on the Internet


    It got a bit cheaper, but the price was an effective deterrent. As for the action, this video contributes a little https://youtu.be/ZOjI76SsUmw
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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.
Summary generated by the language model.
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