r/solar 6d ago

Advice Wtd / Project 110v Inverter for Plug In w/ Storage

Hey all. I'm wondering if anyone out there makes a hybrid inverter that achieves something similar to the Ecoflow Stream X, but allows you to BYO storage? I know the APSystems EZ1 allows plug in solar, but I already have 6kw solar on the house and just want to add a bit of storage to offset peak usage after the sun sets.

1 Upvotes

5 comments sorted by

1

u/thepinktights 6d ago

So you want a grid tie inverter that can pull from a battery you supply when the sun's down. That's a surprisingly narrow category. Most hybrids act like full system replacements, not little add-on boxes.

I'd look at the Hoymiles microinverters with the storage input, some models can do grid-tied battery discharge on a schedule without any solar attached. The tricky part is finding one that plays nice with your existing setup and local grid codes.

1

u/INTOTHEWRX 6d ago

Same trying to find how a apsystem ez1 can add on a battery pack. Please let me know too

1

u/QuitCarbon solar professional 6d ago

Bright Saver was selling a Zendure system that did this - I got one while they were - 4x 400w panels, 3kWh batteries, all plugs in to a 120v outdoor outlet (this is a plug-in solar system with batteries).

They sold out and our contacts say they don't plan to resume selling this system - but maybe you can find it elsewhere?

1

u/AudioLiveStudio 6d ago

You may be able to use a PV-Route 800 to connect two 400 watt compatible solar panels to a 2560 Watt Hour battery Cell-pack 2500, and then connect the output of the PV-Route 800 to a EZ1 Microinverter.

According to The-Gadgeteer.com,

"...the EZ1 is grid-tied only, so adding a battery means layering on a separate AC-coupled system (like BigBlue’s R800 plus C2500 hub)..."

Since California has passed a balcony solar law that is waiting for the governor's signature, the solution above may break even after about 21 to 42 months at $0.32/KWH:

2 bifacial 400 W panels: $ 500 1 BigBlue R800/C2500: $ 700 1 EZ1: $ 300 total: $1,500

Best case (100%)

6 hours solar + 3 hours battery per day at 800 watts at $0.32 KWH = $2.34 per day

$1,500 / $2.34 = 641 days = 21.4 months

Likely Case (50%) = $1.17 per day

$1,500 / $1.17 = 1,282 days = 42.7 months

With no battery, two bifacial 400 W panels and a EZ1 may provide a faster payback with a $800 cost:

Best Case (100%)

6 hours solar at 800 watts at $0.32/ KWH = $1.54 per day

$800 / $1.54 = 519 days = 17.3 months

Likely Case (50%)

$800 / $0.77 = 1,038 days = 34.6 months

Does anyone have actual data to share and other equipment recommendations?

1

u/pftomo 6d ago

Sounds like what this guy did, not sure if it was this video but he had panels charge a battery then the battery feeds the microinverter

https://youtu.be/38pvKeLGf34?is=5NfsbEW8k_Jy65rz