Solax Inverter Overview:
SolaX are a lower-priced brand of inverters, at the budget end of the market, which is a good fit for those who want a full solar power system, including the solar inverter price, but are constrained by costs, Nevertheless, these inverters, properly sited and installed, should have a significant lifespan and offer good value for money.
The SolaX X1-Boost range of inverters is a single-phase system, planned with reliability and efficiency for home solar arrays. They reach a maximum efficiency of 97.6%, and are designed for remote control over Wi-Fi, to enhance convenience of user operation.
The noise emissions of these inverters are stated as under 25 decibels, which literally means they are whisper quiet so should not cause any issues with noise.
They can be combined with battery storage systems and charge Electric Vehicles (EVs) as well as provide electricity to the home and sell the surplus back to the grid.
These solar power inverter units use a system of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) which enables the inverter to optimise the match between the solar panels, and the battery bank or the grid connection. To put it simply, they ensure a better match between higher voltage DC output from solar panels (and also small wind turbines) down to the lower voltage needed to charge batteries or feed into the grid, under a wide variety of weather conditions. This means a higher, more stable power output.
SolaX inverters are rated at IP65: this is an international standard of protection against the ingress of dirt, dust and liquids. This means they are safe to install in an exterior location.
The design is discreet and pleasant so they can be installed anywhere and not detract from the home’s aesthetics. All solaX inverters come with a standard warranty of five years but that can be extended to 10.
SolaX – the company in brief:
SolaX is a Chinese solar inverter manufacturer based in Hangzhou. The company started operations in 2010 and currently has 6GW annual production capacity. The firm states that over 600,000 SolaX inverters have been installed globally to date.
SolaX produces inverters with five-year extendable warranties at competitive prices and claim they have a mean-time before failure of over 100,000 hours. This translates to an operational lifespan of over 11 years before a major issue is to be expected.
In addition to standard inverters, SolaX also makes multimode (also known as hybrid inverters) for battery systems.
ESE Group
ESE Group, are the largest Solar PV maintenance company in the UK. They have a comprehensive maintenance package and an Annual Health Check for solar systems they install for the user’s peace of mind. This includes unlimited call-outs and parts and labour on all repairs, as well as online and telephone support for technical issues.
SolaX Specifications
The SolaX single phase inverters boast a wide MPPT voltage range to allow for more energy harvesting and have a maximum input voltage of 580V, with a maximum efficiency of 97.6%. In addition, SolaX single phase inverters are weatherproof: IP65 rated, have no internal fan and come with optional ‘plug & play’ Wi-Fi. The dual MPPT ‘Boost’ range is also compatible with the new SolaX ‘Smart Plug’ which allows for device remote control.
Other SolaX inverter benefits include:
- Users can monitor the system remotely through Wi-Fi
- Single and dual string MPPT models available
- Up to 4.2kw single phase
- Built in isolation
There are some minor negatives: the system does not monitor any earthing issues (though that should not be a problem). The smaller units do not have a screen.
ESE Group often uses SolaX inverters for repairs/replacements in the field as they are extremely reliable, so that is a strong point in their favour.
The X1-Boost range of inverters:
- X1-3.0-T 3kW
- X1-3.3-T 3.3kW
- X1-3.6-T 3.6kW
- X1-4.2-T 4.2kW
- X1-5.0-T 5kW
Pros and Cons of Solax Inverters
Pros
- Very reliable inverter
- Good efficiency, particularly in low-light
- MPPT optimises output
Cons
- Doesn’t monitor earthing issues
- Smaller units do not have a screen
- Shorter warranty length than some other companies
The Benefits Of A Comprehensive Annual Solar Health Check from ESE Group
ESE group offers a yearly health check of your solar power system. This gives you peace of mind, ensures maximum lifespan for the components, and can pick up potential problems at an early stage.
The maintenance package offers unlimited call-outs, Parts & Labour on all repairs, Unlimited Telephone & Technical Support, and also covers lost energy generation due to a fault within the system.
What’s covered by the Annual Comprehensive Health Check?
- Visual inspection of all panels
- Solar inverters
- Inspect all inverters, ensuring fully operational
- Check generation readings
- Check all cable connections
- Voltage and current check
- Photovoltaic module string test
- Junction box, isolator, distribution board and
- Cabling inspection
- Meter check
- Labelling/schematic check
- Energy production analysis
- Roof condition alert
- Check all cabling and connections from Solar
- PV system to mains supply
Through ESE Group support, homeowners have saved over £5 million in servicing and repair costs over the last 12 months alone because of this solar health check facility.
The Importance of Good Siting
The power inverter is a critical component of the solar panel system. They can be installed on a wall or the roof, but this makes them vulnerable to weather events: as time goes on, they can suffer ageing, damage or even cease to function. Although you can purchase covers for the inverter, it is much better to site them under the eaves, or out of direct sunlight. Best of all: place the unit in an attic, utility space or garage, where it will be protected. This will markedly increase the lifespan of the equipment and also ensure that performance issues or even outages are less likely.
SolaX FAQs
Q: Can the solar panels be sited on roofs facing different directions?
A: Yes, with an MPPT system, the siting of the panels can be optimised and the inverter will compensate for this.
Q: How long will they last?
A: The company claims 11 years of continuous operation can be expected from each inverter.
Q: What happens if something goes wrong?
A: The best thing is to call ESE technicians and read out the error code from the inverter so they can remedy the problem.
Q: What is an IP 65 Rating?
A: It is an international standard for the safety of enclosures containing electrical equipment. Essentially it means that the electrical equipment is weatherproof and can be sited outside.
Summary
ESE Group is the largest Solar PV maintenance company in the UK. They have installed and serviced over 14,000 homeowners’ systems. Their comprehensive support and annual health check is a very desirable benefit, as any solar power system is a significant capital investment and needs to be fully protected.
SolaX inverters are a good choice for customers who have a limited budget and want to maximise their value-for-money. Their efficiency and MPPT technology ensures that the system will generate the maximum power under the prevailing conditions.
