Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026

Upgrading inverter 5kW - 8kW

  • 16-06-2026 05:11PM
    #1
    ...Ghost...
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,108 ✭✭✭


    Looking to upgrade from my 5kW Solis hybrid to an 8kW Solis hybrid.

    Can someone recommend the best place to buy?

    Would love to go bigger, but 8kW will do for now for what I need, which is allowing me to feed more than 5kW to the house load. Sticking with Solis just to keep it simple, as I know I'll be able to swap it out myself and keep everything essentially the same.

    edited to add: I've just bit the bullet and ordered one from Ebay.

    Stay Free

    Post edited by ...Ghost... on


Comments

  • #2
    GarlicBed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 97 ✭✭GarlicBed


    Nice,

    How much?



  • #3
    ...Ghost...
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,108 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124555890#Comment_124555890

    £1,100 so far. Let's see what happens when it lands. The UK VAT gets knocked off when shipping to Ireland. I expect VAT, customs and fees to be added when it lands in a few days.

    I'm about to pull the trigger on 16 x 628Ah cells and a JK BMS. I'm experimenting and optimising the space I have. I think I can fit 2 x 32kWh DIY packs into the same space I have a single 16kWh Seplos battery. I'll be moving on 2 of my Seplos batteries soon enough now. Eventually i'll add another 32kWh pack if everything goes to plan.

    Stay Free



  • #4
    GarlicBed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 97 ✭✭GarlicBed


    Does the 8kw have 4mppts?

    thatk'll be aomsome set up when done.



  • #5
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61,079 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058439782/upgrading-inverter-5kw-8kw

    You might want to get some software up and running that will not get you in trouble by exporting too much 😁

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • #6
    ...Ghost...
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,108 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124556296#Comment_124556296

    No, only 2. Solis 14kWh model and bigger have 3 or more.

    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124556586#Comment_124556586

    The export can be limited in the settings.

    I’m going with the 8kW because it’s more or less a direct replacement without the need to upgrade anything at the CU, as I already had a 40A breaker installed to accommodate one back when I was getting the second inverter installed. I’ll need to crimp a couple of lugs onto battery cables, but otherwise it’s all the same.

    Stay Free



  • Advertisement
  • #7
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61,079 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124556860#Comment_124556860

    Yeah makes sense and I'd say one or two of the regulars in this forum have done the same 🙃

    Beware though that if you go over the export levels you are allowed with the NC6, the ESB will notice this if you have a smart meter. So if you have exported more than 3kWh in any 30 minute slot, it is recorded and possibly flagged. I have heard that you get 1 warning, but it could be game over straight away and no more getting paid this very lucrative FIT until you get re-certified

    And just trusting the inverter to do the right thing is extremely risky. Sometimes things go wrong, inverter settings might not work or got reset with a firmware update etc. It helps if you have a myenergi (or other smart) system in place which can automatically divert if you exceed a certain export like 5500W. I would still get a home assistant system set up which can to control your inverter and send you a notification if your export goes over the threshold, when diversion or limitation is not working

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • #8
    ECO_Mental
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,925 ✭✭✭ECO_Mental


    There should be a network grid settings menu that is locked behind a password (that in theory only your qualified electrician /supplier is allowed to set and have the password!) this will have all the grid frequencies voltage settings etc but also your grid export limit. So in theory once set it cant be changed by the end user….these should be settings you will never have to adjust.

    For NC7 this is a requirement and is a fail safe, if you update firmware etc and these setting are almost hardcoded into the inverter.

    6.1kWp south facing, South of Cork City



  • #9
    graememk
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 7,734 Mod ✭✭✭✭graememk


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124557956#Comment_124557956

    Ironically that password should never be changed from the default 😂.

    What if anything happens the original installer disappears/uncontactable/etc.

    Grid standards have been known to change, we've seen it already.



  • #10
    ...Ghost...
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,108 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    Well, my inverter is on the way. Should have it this week.

    Also ordered 16 x 628Ah cells and a JK BMS from NKON…order is packed.

    My 5kW Solis and a 16kWh Seplos battery will be going to my Dad who lives in an apartment. He is getting a RECI to install connect/certify the inverter and do the NC6. Load shifting is the plan, as he can't get solar.

    I'll get some videos made for the changes.

    Stay Free



  • #11
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61,079 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124558316#Comment_124558316

    Can you get an NC6 without micro generation (PV)?

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • Advertisement
  • #12
    ...Ghost...
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,108 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124558394#Comment_124558394

    I had asked Chat GPT about it and it doesn't specifically exclude getting an NC6 even though it's a microgeneration notification form. I was thinking we could just say 900W of panels will be connected, which would be 2 panels on the balcony. Probably won't connect any panels though.

    Chat GPT:

    So if you submitted an NC6 saying:

    • PV: 0 kWp
    • Battery: 16 kWh
    • Hybrid inverter: 5 kW

    you might get one of two responses:

    1. Accepted, because the inverter is a compliant parallel generator.
    2. Queried, with ESB asking what the generating source is.

    Stay Free



  • #13
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61,079 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124558424#Comment_124558424

    Biggest problem is to find a sparks to sign off on it. If you have one in your friends or family, you're laughing.

    Also of course balcony solar is now allowed in the UK, so should follow here soon. Might mean the end of the NC6 cert, which is rather outdated now anyway.

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • #14
    ...Ghost...
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,108 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124559038#Comment_124559038

    I've left the sparks finding to my old man.

    Yeah the NC6 is a load of…

    The NC7 is too. There should be no problem hooking up a 10kW inverter and limiting to 5kW. Sure…anything exported above that could easily be snipped from the export payout.

    "Exporting 8kW sir? You only get paid for 5kW, thanks for the free juice."

    Backwards we are in this country.

    Stay Free



  • #15
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61,079 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124559153#Comment_124559153

    +1

    If you can draw 15kW from the grid, how bad is it to export 8kW back to the grid. Really stupid rules. I don't know of any other EU country where you have to have a license for micro generation

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • #16
    mjatkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 487 ✭✭mjatkey


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124558394#Comment_124558394

    Got it for our apartment no issue, Solis 5K and 32Kwh battery, no panels. May add plugin some time this year once I get a few cheap panels.

    Now I did have to pay over the odds to get the sparks to drive to Cavan for the install but well worth it. Just snicked in with Pinergy so have until Jan 2028 with 6cent buy and 25cent sell (unless of course they change them before).

    🌞 6.96kWp PV System. West Dublin🌞



  • #17
    mjatkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 487 ✭✭mjatkey


    Gary, Jason will do NC6 for your dad probably.

    🌞 6.96kWp PV System. West Dublin🌞



  • #18
    ...Ghost...
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,108 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124559452#Comment_124559452

    That would be ideal 😅

    Stay Free



  • #19
    olympicweights
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 282 ✭✭olympicweights


    Watching this one…..



  • #20
    mjatkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 487 ✭✭mjatkey


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124559719#Comment_124559719

    Ha ha indeed.

    🌞 6.96kWp PV System. West Dublin🌞



  • #21
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,493 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124559153#Comment_124559153

    it’s moreso that ESB are worried about the local transformers not been able to handle the load



  • Advertisement
  • #22
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,493 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124559451#Comment_124559451

    The T$Cs do say that the payout is only for self generated electricity. While they don’t currently enforce it. They may in the future



  • #23
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61,079 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124565796#Comment_124565796

    There is no way for ESB to tell if what you are exporting is what you have generated yourself. The only data they have is from the smart meter. Although I guess me exporting 5.9kW at 1AM is a bit of a giveaway 😂

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • #24
    ...Ghost...
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,108 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124565809#Comment_124565809

    Ah, shure that's from all the PV energy you stored and didn't use during the day 😉

    Stay Free



  • #25
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61,079 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124566251#Comment_124566251

    Well all or most of it is actually this time of year, depending on the day 😀

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



Advertisement
Advertisement