The Hoymiles Micro Inverter System allows for the installation of a safe, infinitely scalable, grid-tied solar production system. It feeds solar-generated electricity directly into the distribution board – and the system doesn’t require batteries. The principle is simple: add an MPPT to the solar panels, convert the direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) right at the source, and then use the much safer AC cable runs to connect to the national electricity connection.
Hoymiles Micro Inverter System Advantages
- No batteries. Therefore, you never need to replace or maintain batteries.
- Very little ongoing maintenance required (especially when compared to normal string inverter systems).
- Modular system design enables infinite scalability – just add more units as required.
- Solar panels operate (and are monitored) independently. This drastically reduces losses due to partial shading or solar panel malfunction.
- Solar panels can be added in any configuration. In other words, nothing prevents you from using a 330W solar panel along with a 270W solar panel on the same microinverter.
- Low voltage system engineered with safety in mind.
- Convert DC to AC right at the source – helping to eliminate losses.
- AC cable runs are much more economical than DC cable runs.
Why use the Hoymiles Micro Inverter System?
If your primary reason for getting a solar generation system is to save money on your monthly energy bill, the Hoymiles Micro Inverter system is the solution you are looking for. The system specifically addresses this need. The grid tied system provides a purely financial benefit by generating energy from the sun when the grid connection is active. It doesn’t utilise batteries, so you don’t need a battery cabinet, and there is no maintenance required on batteries.
Hoymiles Micro Inverter System Components
The Hoymiles Micro Inverter System consists of a few basic components. You can add as many of the components as you need to create the system you want. The basic components are:
- The Hoymiles Micro Inverters. Available in the Hoymiles 600 W Micro Inverter (MI-600) or the Hoymiles 1 200 W Micro Inverter (MI-1200). The 600W version can manage 2 solar panels, whereas the 1 200W unit can manage 4 solar panels.
- The Hoymiles Data Transmission Unit (DTU). Two versions are available – the normal Hoymiles DTU and the Hoymiles DTU with export limiting. Some people also call the DTU the Hoymiles Data Transfer Unit. The DTU is responsible for transmitting data from the Micro Inverters to the Hoymiles server.
- Hoymiles AC Female connector.
- The Hoymiles AC End Cap.
- Hoymiles AC Female End Cable.
Purchase system components
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Hoymiles Data Transmission Unit (DTU) (Anti Reflux)R4,933.50 (R4,290.00 Excl. VAT) -
Hoymiles 1 200W Micro Inverter (Grid-Tie)R5,232.50 (R4,550.00 Excl. VAT)
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Hoymiles AC Female End Cable (2M)R37.38 (R32.50 Excl. VAT)
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Hoymiles AC End CapR37.38 (R32.50 Excl. VAT)
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Hoymiles AC Female ConnectorR269.10 (R234.00 Excl. VAT)
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Hoymiles Data Transmission Unit (DTU)R3,887.00 (R3,380.00 Excl. VAT)
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Hoymiles 600W Micro Inverter (Grid-Tie)R3,214.25 (R2,795.00 Excl. VAT)
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330W Canadian Solar PV Solar Panel (72 Cell)R2,713.43 (R2,359.50 Excl. VAT)
System Shutdown – Safety Feature
The Hoymiles Micro Inverter System is a grid tied system. This means that the system shuts down when the grid is down, so that there is no energy generation taking place. The system shuts down (in the event that the grid fails) for safety purposes – to protect workmen working on upstream connections. It is important to know that this system is not a backup energy system. It wasn’t designed to be one. The system purely provides financial benefits.
System Application – Base Load
The system carries the base load of your energy draw during the day. This is a predictable, stable and constant load during the hours when the sun shines. The advantage of addressing only the base load is that you require a much smaller solar system than you normally would (if you had to cater for peak usage). With this system, huge energy draws (peak usage spikes) are simply satisfied by the grid – as it would’ve been without a solar system installed.
Zero Export or Bi-Directional Configuration
You can configure the system as a zero-export system, or as a bidirectional system. If you install (and get approval for) a bidirectional energy meter, you can configure the system to export excess energy to the grid for rebate or later use – depending on your meter configuration and meter reading or energy policies.
A Bi-Directional system can use the Hoymiles DTU (Data Transmission Unit) whereas a Zero-Export system will make use of the Hoymiles DTU (Data Transmission Unit) with Export Limiting.
System Scalability
The system is infinitely scalable. You can add additional units to an existing system (years later) if your need changes in future. The smallest installation size is 600W, and you can increase the system size in 600W increments – with no maximum limit. Your only limitation would be the amount of roof space you have available, and the weight your roof can sustain.
Typical System Cost
Typically, the cost for an installation on a normal house is less than R50 000, but your system size (depending on the base load) will determine the final price.