As the old story goes, a friend of mine is looking at a Sharp Sunvista 3500W inverter. Does anyone have any experience with this product?

http://solar.sharpusa.com/solar/products/

Sharp describes the inverter as "multi-string" which I assume means multiple serial strings of solar modules. It looks kinda small for 3.5kw.

So, has anyone used one? How did it work out?

Thanks,

Tom

I would stay away from this box ... it has the lowest efficency of any string inverter (91.5%) and has only sold a few in the US.

Their are much better inverters available and for much less money

I would suggest you point your friend to the new Xantrex GT3.0 or a pair of SB1800's

I wouldn't exactly describe it as small or light.

The Sharp is 1/3 larger than the Fronius or Xantrex units, both of which have internal disconnects, is twice the size of an SB2500 and almost the same size as a SB6000.

Fronius: 18.5 x 16.46 x 8.78 = 2674 cu in
- 26 lbs
- 3000W
- Active Cooling
- internal DC diconnect/AC Breaker

Sharp: 23.7 x 17.8 x 7.85 = 3312 cu in
- 61.7 lbs
- 3500W
- Active cooling
- needs external disconnects

SMA SB2500: 17.1 x 11.6 x 8.4 = 1666 cu in
- 71 lbs
- 2500W
- Passive cooling w/ Active add-on
- Needs external disconnects

SMA SB6000: 16.9 x 23.6 x 9.8 = 3909 cu in
- 139 lbs
- 6000W
- Active cooling
- Needs external disconnects

Xantrex GT 3.0: 28.5 x 15.9 x 5.7 = 2583 cu in
- 45 lbs
- 3000W
- Passive cooling w/ Active add-on
- Internal DC/AC Diconnects

Xantrex SunTie XR: 33 x 13 x 5 = 2145 cu in
- 35 lbs
- 2500W
- Active cooling
- Internal DC Breaker/AC Breaker


Sean

A few other tidbits

The Fronius IG3000 , is spec'ed and tested , power limits at 2700 watts

The SB2500U , is spec'ed at 2500 watts , but due to its optimistic power reporting (which is used for maximum output limit) , is a 2425 watt inverter and only in cool conditions (25C , 1 meter/sec wind) , yes it will report 2500 watts , thats Sunny watts I guess

The STXR-UPG is a True 2500 watt inverter , will run 24/7 at 2500 watts , upto 45C ambient , but is only 91% peak efficent

The GT 3.0 is a True 3000 watt inverter. The only way I could make it thermal reduce power was by running it at maximum power , for 6 hours covered in beach towels (done for testing reasons). Granted the ambient was only 95F so places like the southwest with 120F days , running at full power (unlikey since the panels are even hotter and produc less power) would require the optional external fan shroud. IN all thes testing I have done , or know Xantrex has done , I have never seen a unit thermally derate , even running of bench supplies (so it can run 24/7 at full power)