The Sungrow RT solar inverters are high-performing modules for residential buildings and small-scale commercial markets. They hold the second best-selling inverter rank in Australia due to their competitive pricing and value for money.
A solar inverter is an essential component in a solar-powered system. Its function is to convert the DC electricity generated by solar panels into grid-compatible AC electricity for households. There are four types of solar inverters, but in this post, we will discuss the string inverter for residential buildings.
Thousands of Australians invest in clean energy storage systems to reduce their carbon footprint or save on their annual electricity bills. To that end, Sungrow Power Supply Co, Ltd, a prominent global manufacturer of solar inverters with annual production capacities of 140 GW, is helping Australians move towards more sustainable green energy.
If you’re looking to install solar for your home or business, you should consider the inverter to equip with your solar system. Sungrow has many options to meet your energy requirements and budget.
This post will examine the Sungrow RT Solar Inverter models, including their output capacity, efficiency, technical specification, quality rating, and more.
Read on to see if these models are the ideal fit for your residential installation.
What is the Sungrow RT Inverter?
Sungrow RT inverters are multi-MPPT Three-Phase String Inverters (or Three-Phase PV Grid-Connected Inverters) produced by Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. The RT inverter converts any direct current electricity from the photovoltaic modules into grid-compatible AC for home use or feeding into the utility grid.
The Sungrow RT solar inverter range includes the 5 kW, 7 kW, 10 kW, 15 kW, and 20 kW models.
These models are solely for residential and small-scale businesses. These inverters are equipped with touch-free commissioning and remote firmware technology, making critical operation and maintenance easy and manageable.
Aspiring to improve the power supply in rural China using renewable energy, Cao Renxian, a Professor at the Hefei University of Technology, founded Sungrow in 1997.
With over two decades of experience in the power conversion business, Sungrow is a leading brand in the solar energy sector and the second-largest solar inverter manufacturer globally as of 2020.
It produces most of its inverters in China, and its products are generally more inexpensive than competing solar inverters. This affordability makes them popular home system choices.
Sungrow RT Inverter Range
Sungrow offers a wide range of solar inverters for residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar farms.
The Sungrow RT range addresses residential buildings’ energy needs and small-scale commercial businesses. The range of inverters currently available on the market is as follows:
- SG 3.0RT / 4.0RT (for residential use),
- SG 5.0RT / 6.0RT / 7.0RT / 8.0RT / 10RT /12 RT (for residential use), and
- SG 15RT / 17RT / 20 RT (for commercial market use)
Sungrow RT Solar Inverter Technical Specifications
Below are the specifications for the RT inverter range, based on type designation for the most popular sizes:
| Input (DC) | SG 5.0RT | SG 7.0RT | SG 10RT | SG 15RT | SG 20RT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum PV input voltage: | 1100 V | 1100 V | 1100 V | 1100 V | 1100 V |
| Nominal input voltage: | 600 V | 600 V | 600 V | 600 V | 600 V |
| MPP voltage range: | 160 V – 1000 V | 160 V – 1000 V | 160 V – 1000 V | 160 V – 1000 V | 160 V – 1000 V |
| Number of independent MPP strings: | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Max number of PV strings per MPPT: | 1 / 1 | 2 / 1 | 2 / 1 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Max PV input current: | 25 A (12.5 A / 12.5 A) | 37.5 A (25 A / 12.5 A) | 37.5 A (25 A / 12.5 A) | 50 A (25 A / 25 A) | 50 A (25 A / 25 A) |
| Max AC output power: | 5500 VA | 7700 VA | 11000 VA | 15000 VA | 20000 VA |
| Max AC output current: | 8.3 A | 11.7 A | 16.7 A | 25 A | 31.9 A |
| Max efficiency: | 98.40% | 98.40% | 98.50% | 98.50% | 98.50% |
| Dimensions (WxHxD): | 370 * 480 * 195 mm | 370 * 480 * 195 mm | 370 * 480 * 195 mm | 370 * 480 * 195 mm | 370 * 480 * 195 mm |
| Weight: | 18 kg | 18 kg | 18 kg | 21 kg | 21 kg |
| Degree of protection: | IP65 | IP65 | IP65 | IP65 | IP65 |
| Operating temperature: | -25 °C to 60 °C | -25 °C to 60 °C | -25 °C to 60 °C | -25 °C to 60 °C | -25 °C to 60 °C |
| Warranty: | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
Download the full datasheet for the SG 5.0 / 6.0 / 7.0 / 8.0 / 10 / 12RT residential models here.
Download the full datasheet for the SG 15 / 20RT commercial models here.
What is the Sungrow RT Solar Inverter’s Output Capacity?
Each Sungrow RT solar inverter has a different output capacity based on the model ID:
- SG 3.0RT: 3,000 W,
- SG 4.0RT: 4,000 W,
- SG 5.0RT: 5,000 W,
- SG 7.0RT: 6,999 W,
- SG 10RT: 10,000 W,
- SG 15RT: 15,000 W, and
- SG 20RT: 20,000 W.
Instyle Solar partners with several solar product brands and our products are specifically tailored to the Australian market.
What is the Sungrow RT Solar Inverter’s Efficiency?
A high-quality inverter with suitable capacity will help optimise your home’s solar panel system efficiency. Sungrow solar inverters lead the market in terms of inverter efficiency.
Most inverters produced for residential buildings have efficiencies between 93% to 96%. The Sungrow RT solar inverter stands impressively above that range at 98.40% to 98.50%.
But efficiency ratings are just one aspect of an inverter’s value. Understanding how to choose the best solar inverter for your needs can save you a significant amount of time and energy.
How Many MPP Trackers does the Sungrow RT Solar Inverter Have?
The MPP tracker or maximum power point tracker is an inverter device that tracks and optimises the MPP of a PV panel for maximum energy harvest.
Sungrow SG 15/17/20RT, SG 5.0/6.0/7.0/8.0/10/12RT & SG 3.0/4.0RT solar inverters all include two MPP trackers so that each DC input area can operate independently for increased unit productivity.
Learnin more about the maximum power point (MPP) and its importance in solar systems will help you understand your specific power needs.
Does the Sungrow RT Solar Inverter come with an Internal DC Circuit Breaker?
No, it does not; however, it does feature an AC circuit breaker.
A DC circuit breaker may be required to protect electrical devices using DC electricity. However, most Australian home devices operate with alternating current and AC circuit breakers, so these units should have no compatibility issues with your household appliances.
In addition, the Sungrow RT solar inverter comes with other safety mechanisms that prevent damage to the power supply and electronic circuits. These include:
- Protection and function,
- Grid power monitoring,
- DC reverse connection protection,
- AC short-circuit protection,
- Leakage current protection,
- Surge protection (DC Type II / AC Type II),
- DC switch,
- Arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI), and
- PID recovery function.
Sungrow RT Solar Inverter Key Features
Here are the key features of the Sungrow RT solar inverter:
High Energy Yield:
- Wide MPPT voltage range and a lower start-up voltage.
- Bifacial module support.
- Built-in PID recovery mechanism.
Smart Management Software:
- 24/7 live surveillance.
- Smart IV curve scanning.
- Remote firmware updates.
Safety and Durability:
- High corrosion protection degree or C5.
- Built-in Type II DC and AC SPD.
- Fast arc flash detection within 200 ms.
Ease of Use:
- A compact design that only weighs 18 kg.
- Unique connectors.
- Quick and easy commissioning via the app.
What is the Sungrow RT Solar Inverter’s Warranty?
The quality assurance that Sungrow gives on its inverter matches the industry standard. Sungrow gives a 10-year warranty period on all of its solar inverters. If a fault does develop within the warranty period, Sungrow will provide free service or replace the product with a new one.
Sungrow provides more details about the warranty on its website, and it’s worth understanding the criteria to help you decide if this is the inverter for your household.
Is the Sungrow RT Solar Inverter Reliable? Is the Sungrow RT Solar Inverter Safe?
It’s critical that you make the right choice when selecting a solar inverter company. According to reports from the Electric Research Institute (EPRI), in a PV power system, inverters are more likely to become faulty than any other solar power system component.
PV Evolution Labs (PVEL), an independent organisation that tests for solar panel reliability with support from DNV GL, started testing solar inverters for the first time in 2019. It’s expected that a similar level of recognition will be required for inverter testing.
The entire PVEL scorecard is divided into categories where each top performer is highlighted.
Sungrow has been in operations for over two decades and has an extensive global market share in solar inverter space. They have over 15% market share in Australia, with hundreds of thousands of inverters sold thus far.
Sungrow’s residential SG series of solar inverters also include various features that enhance its safety protocols.
For example, its built-in Surge Protection Device (SPD) covers both AC and DC for maximum safety according to the grid regulations.
Its RS485, Ethernet, and WiFi features also allow you to access and utilise the solar inverters remotely from anywhere without compromising system safety.
Is the Sungrow RT Solar Inverter CEC-Approved?
Yes, all Sungrow RT solar inverter ranges are CEC-approved for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
CEC accreditation is important for you to know as a consumer, as Clean Energy Council-approved retailers are often the most reliable to purchase inverters from.
Can you Retrofit a Battery to the Sungrow RT Solar Inverter?
A solar inverter transforms the DC electricity your solar panels generate into AC power that can be used in your home or fed into the grid; hybrid inverters work both ways.
The Sungrow RT inverter model is not a hybrid inverter. As a result, the Sungrow battery in the RT solar inverter package is only compatible with the Sungrow hybrid battery inverter. You can’t retrofit a different brand battery to the Sungrow RT solar inverter.
Do you need a separate battery inverter for your solar system? Not all systems require one, so it’s best to know if they are worth the investment.
Is this a High-Quality and Valuable Inverter? Our Opinion
Sungrow has been producing power conversion solar systems and energy storage since 1997. Its products remain popular due to their competitive pricing and value for money.
Although Sungrow RT solar inverters are produced in China, the company has Australian offices in Sydney, and their product successfully meets the energy needs of many homes in Australia, as evidenced by the 15% market share it has secured.
A solar inverter’s value is based on system performance, reliability, and safety.
The RT solar inverter has terrific efficiency (98%+), and Sungrow’s products are certified by the TUV and the Clean Energy Council. Its technology also enables users to remotely monitor and control their solar systems, which facilitates the safety and quality of the product.
The company also has a dedicated Australian presence. When investing in a solar inverter, it’s best to choose a company whose warranty you can easily claim in the event of a system malfunction within the coverage period.
Some companies only include a five-year warranty on their wares. However, Sungrow offers a ten-year industry-standard warranty on their solar inverters, proving that they are willing to stand by the quality of their products.
As a company, Sungrow invests a significant amount in research and development, allowing them to develop cutting-edge turnkey energy management solutions for its products in residential, commercial, and utility-scale markets.
If you are aiming to invest in a solar energy inverter, the Sungrow RT solar inverter would be an excellent mid-range choice.
Next Steps…
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