48V Hybrid Inverter
for Complete Home Backup
Hybrid Inverter: An inverter that can be connected to the grid and backfeed excess power AND run your entire home off-grid.
But hybrid inverters cost more money than running my house with offgrid specific inverters! Why would I choose a hybrid instead?
Mainly for these reasons:
But hybrid inverters cost more money than running my house with offgrid specific inverters! Why would I choose a hybrid instead?
Mainly for these reasons:
- Hybrid inverters are outdoor rated and more durable than an offgrid inverter. Instead of having to mount your batteries and inverters indoors and listen to the loud and annoying cooling fans all day, you can throw a hybrid inverter outside and forget about it. Just be sure to use outdoor rated batteries (like the vertical mount outdoor rated power pro, click here)
- Easy for any electrician to install and permit. Buy the hybrid inverter and batteries, and get someone else to install it if you do not feel comfortable doing that.
- Better Warranties. Hybrid Inverter warranties are better because they are more durable devices.
- Better Surge Capacity. Hybrids can usually start an air conditioner, even the small ones! I still recommend adding a soft start to any air conditioner that is running off an inverter though.
- The software is a million times better. Every hybrid on the market has wifi control, color touch screens (or you can add them optionally), data logging and more.
- Faster Payback Period. If you have a good net metering program with your utility, you can use the hybrid inverter to dump excess energy into the grid to create income or credits. This will allow you to run a smaller battery and have a faster return on investment.
EG4's Easy to Scale Hybrid System
With this system, the Flex Boss is the Hybrid Inverter. And the Grid Boss is considered a "gateway". The gateway goes between all components of your system.
The install is dead simple because of the gateway. Just have an electrician install the flex boss between your meter and your house's main breaker panel, and then you can add inverters and batteries to your house whenever and wherever you need to. Instead of wiring up hybrid inverters with large transfer switches right next to your panel (very difficult and expensive), the flex boss allows you to mount the batteries and inverters far from the panel.
This decreases the complexity of the system greatly!
Hybrid Without Gateway:
Very Complex
Hybrid With Gateway:
Dead Simple!
Instead of wiring up multiple disconnect switches and fitting all of your batteries between your meter and your panel, you can install a gateway! This allows you to simplify the entire system and makes it a million times easier to get it approved by local inspectors. Most new hybrid systems are now using a gateway for this reason.
Previously you would have to use large conductors to each inverter/battery stack. For example, the 18kpv. If you want to use 2 inverters (which a lot of houses need), you would need to spend thousands on large conductors to each inverter.
Look at the example below. Imagine stuffing all of those batteries between the meter and the panel. Instead you could install a gateway like the grid boss, and run wires out to the inverters/batteries instead (as pictured)
Previously you would have to use large conductors to each inverter/battery stack. For example, the 18kpv. If you want to use 2 inverters (which a lot of houses need), you would need to spend thousands on large conductors to each inverter.
Look at the example below. Imagine stuffing all of those batteries between the meter and the panel. Instead you could install a gateway like the grid boss, and run wires out to the inverters/batteries instead (as pictured)
This is difficult:
This is easy:
This allows you to mount your inverters and batteries wherever you wish. Instead of running 2/0 cables to each inverter, you can use 4 AWG instead! This makes the entire install very beginner friendly and easy to scale in the future. See below:
Flex Boss Capabilities
Capabilities of a single flex boss:
- 120/240V Inverter with 12kW output w/ Battery Alone. If you have solar connected, it bumps up to 16kW.
- Peak AC Power is 24kW for half a second and 15 kW for 6 minutes!
- 21kW Solar Input and 600VDC Input
- Closed Loop Communication with EG4 Batteries
- Rapid Shut Down Built-in
- PV Disconnect Built-in, no need for combiner box
- Expensive breakers included. No need to buy them seperate.
- 36kW output with battery alone. If you have solar connected, 48kW!
- Peak AC Power is 72kW for half a second and 45kW for 6 minutes!
- 63kW Solar Input at 600VDC limit
- With 16X Flexboss, total of 192kW AC Output
- Max Surge of 384kW for half a second, and 240kW for 6 minutes
- 336kW PV Input at 600VDC
Most hybrid inverters can only scale up to 15 or 20kW! The flex boss allows you to build a system for any size. And it is cost effective even if you use only a single inverter in offgrid mode. The best setup for most homes is to use the flex boss and 1-3 inverters depending on your needs.
Grid Boss Capabilities
Essentially the grid boss is a large transfer switch with intelligent features. Not only does it allow you to connect multiple hybrid inverters, but you can connect EV chargers, air conditioners and water heaters with the smart port functionality. This allows you to automate your home solar system. If you are generating too much power, you can direct all of that energy into your water heater, for example. Or if your system is running low on power for a few days, it can turn off the EV charger. Whatever you wish!
- Maximum of 3 EG4 hybrid inverters (Flex boss, 12kpv and 18kpv)
- Generator Input and Management
- Critical and Non-critical Load Terminals! Run two breaker panels from a single grid boss.
- 4 Smart Ports. Controllable outputs for EV's, water heaters or whatever you wish.
- Outdoor rated. Mount it outside between your house and load breaker panel and forget about it.
- Connect pre-exisiting grid tie solar systems! If you have a solaredge or enphase system, or any other, you can connect it to the grid boss and monitor it remotely.
How do you design a system?
Because the flex boss has a massive PV input, the most common limiting factor to consider is the inverter output.
- If you have a tiny home or cabin, or a very small house without air conditioner, 1 flex boss and 1 grid boss will be perfect.
- If you have a normal sized home with a large air conditioner, you will need 2 flex boss and 1 grid boss.
- If you have a large home with multiple air conditioners and an EV charger, you will need 3 flex boss and 1 grid boss.
How to Purchase the Flex/Grid Boss
Most people will choose from these four packages:
- Offgrid System: 1 Flex Boss
- Small House: 1 Flex Boss and 1 Grid Boss
- Normal House: 2 Flex Boss and 1 Grid Boss
- Large House: 3 Flex Boss and 1 Grid Boss
Now you need batteries
The flex/grid boss is designed to work outdoors. So you need an outdoor rated battery. The only battery that communicates with the flex boss and has an outdoor rating is the powerpro battery.
Some quick specs:
Some quick specs:
- 14.3kWh LiFePO4 for each battery
- 200A Output at 48V. One battery can support 9,600W. That means to use the total output of a single flex boss, you need 2 batteries.
- Integrated 600A Busbars for Scalability
- Heated for Cold Climates
Need Cheaper Batteries?
If you are running your system indoors, you will save a ton of money by not purchasing outdoor rated batteries. The most popular option is to run the indoor powerpro:
And you can take it a step further and make your own batteries with raw cells. The flexboss can work with any battery you wish. It may not pass inspection, but it will absolutely work. Just disable the battery communication and set your charge voltage and low votlage disconnect and you're set. This way you can use whatever battery you wish!
Or you can use a budget battery!
Now that you have your inverter/gateway/battery situation taken care of,
you need some solar panels and ground mounts!
you need some solar panels and ground mounts!
Choose a Solar Panel Mounting Method
Currently the most popular method for mounting panels is to use a ground mount. This is why:
- Permit free in most locations. If you install panels on your roof, you will need a permit.
- Easy to Clean. No need to climb on the roof!
- Easy to Maintain Hardware and Connections
- Easier to Install. No need for harnesses or roofing professionals.
- Zero Risk for Roof Leaks.
- Easy to Take Apart. If you need to move the array to a new location, it only takes a few hours.
- Can easily mount them to concrete, dirt, concrete roof or use a ballast! You can mount them anywhere.
And Choose Your Solar Panels:
Most solar panels today have incredible quality and output. They can last decades with zero issues. But keep a few things in mind:
- Buy a few extra, just in case.
- The more you buy, the cheaper they get.
- They are heavy and large. Ask for help! Do not install on windy days alone.
- Do not connect them until it is dark. The solar panel creates a very dangerous voltage! Best to wait till night time.
- Glass is glass, and glass breaks. When you put multiple glass panels on a pallet, it is common for some to break. Buy from a reputable company so you can get refunded for these panels.
- The most popular size for offgrid is 400-440W bifacial. These are small and easy to install for beginners.
Three Options for Sourcing Quality Solar Panels:
Used Solar Panels
Lowest price. But is it worth it? Used panels have great output, but the warranty is pretty limited. Be sure to buy spares!
Current Connected
Fantastic deals on new panels. If something goes wrong with shipping, you're good to go!
Signature Solar
The best method to get a good price on new panels is to get a package deal with Signature Solar. Check those out below:
Once you have everything, you can now install it!
It is a pretty straight forward install. Check out my videos if you want to see how it is done.
If something is confusing or difficult, hire an electrician to do it instead!
If something is confusing or difficult, hire an electrician to do it instead!
The Flex Boss is Fantastic for Offgrid Use as Well
Another option is to run the flex boss in offgrid mode! You will not need to purchase the grid boss, and you can now have an offgrid system that you can mount outdoors.
Other Hybrid Systems that I Recommmend:
EP Power Cube
- Best software but hard to scale
- Can only scale to 40kWh. And you must use proprietary high voltage battery.
- 120/240V AC Output: 7.4kW with 1 Inverter, and 15.2kW with 2 inverters. Pretty limited compared to EG4
- Fantastic software. Easy to install the system and set it up.
- Fantastic customer service and support
- Look aesthetically pleasing
- The batteries are 77 pounds each, making installation much easier than others out there.
I actually run my main house off this system and absolutely love it! But unfortunately I cannot scale it. Great product if it fulfills your needs though!
EG4 18kPV
This used to be my absolute favorite hybrid inverter. I ran it for years and had zero issues. But then the flex boss/grid boss came out and now this thing is outdated. The installation cost is much higher, and the stats are not nearly as good as the flex boss.
If you have a small house and 12kW can run everything, this thing is great! But if you have anything larger than that or more than one air conditioner, you will need the grid/flex boss system for sure.
If you have a small house and 12kW can run everything, this thing is great! But if you have anything larger than that or more than one air conditioner, you will need the grid/flex boss system for sure.
Code Compliant Option Of the Past:
Sol-Ark
Expensive, but very easy to use!
Just buy the unit online and hire an electrician to install it. That is it. This unit can do grid tie only, offgrid and net zero export. And sol ark will set it up for you remotely. The cost is justified if you want something that will last for decades and have zero issues.
Use the link below to purchase the Sol Ark from Current Connected:
Click Here to Purchase a Sol Ark
Use the link below to purchase the Sol Ark from Current Connected:
Click Here to Purchase a Sol Ark
Features of the Sol Ark:
- Two Built-In 500V MPPT Charge Controllers
- 1 – 6 PV Strings
- Battery Disconnect
- 48V Battery Input
- Auto-Generator Start, works with any generator that has 2 wire start.
- Rapid Shutdown Signal
- Built in Arc Fault and Ground Fault detection
- Current Sensors Included
- Battery Communication for LiFePO4.
- Works with any battery type, FLA, AGM, SLA, LFP.
- PV Disconnect
- Wiring Knockouts an & WiFi
- 50A Breakers:
- AC In/Out, AC Load Out
- AC Gen In/Smart Load Out
- Remote programmable monitoring and configuration included
- Next Generation Efficiency
- 93% RTE – The most efficient in the world in/out of batteries
- 120/240V single/split phase & 120/208V three-phase in the same unit
- Stackable up to nine in parallel
- Easy AC-couple retrofit
- No microinverters, no optimizers necessary on new installs
- All-in-One box
- Easy plug ‘n play install and inventory management
- Everything needed for Grid Tied, Hybrid, or Off-Grid inside
- Manages power from Solar, Battery, Grid, Load, and Generator simultaneously
- 10-Year Standard Warranty Included
Click Here to Purchase a 5K/8K/12K Sol Ark
Click Here to Purchase a 15K Sol Ark (backup your entire house in one easy step)
