Growatt announced on 30 March 2022 that its MOD 3-10KTL3-XH series battery-ready PV inverter is available in Europe, alongside its ARK XH battery system1. The company said the launch responds to growing European demand for storage systems1.
The inverter is described as battery-ready, meaning it can operate in a grid-connected solar system and later be upgraded to a storage system with an added battery pack1. Growatt's vice president of marketing, Lisa Zhang, said the design saves on a user's initial outlay1.
"The inverter's battery-ready feature offers flexibility to users by enabling it to work within a normal grid-connected solar system and, if required, to subsequently be upgraded to a storage system with an additional battery pack, saving on a user's initial outlay"
Technical figures given for the series include a DC/AC ratio as high as two, dual MPP trackers and string current up to 16A, which Growatt says suits high-power modules1. The company states the series supports full nominal power export to the grid plus simultaneous full nominal power battery charge1.
The ARK XH battery uses lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) material, which Growatt says provides high stability and security as well as enhanced durability1. It has a modular design for installation and connection to the inverter1. No capacity figures, prices or warranty terms for the inverter or battery appear in the announcement1.
Why it matters for households
A battery-ready inverter lets a home start with solar only and add storage later without replacing the inverter, which is the practical route to using self-generated electricity in the evening rather than exporting it. That matters for home energy independence, because the point at which a household can cover its own demand shifts from the moment of generation to the moment of use. The upgrade path also means the decision on storage can be deferred, though the announcement gives no indication of what an additional battery pack would cost or when it would be available. Households weighing Growatt solar inverters and home batteries against other options will find no pricing or capacity detail in this announcement. For background on how such systems are configured, see all-in-one home battery systems and what a battery management system does. Whether a battery-ready system continues to supply a home during a power cut depends on the specific configuration, which is covered in battery storage during a power cut.
What happens next
Growatt said it will bring the solution to Australia "in the near future", describing it as another market with tremendous energy storage potential1. No date was given for that launch, and no United Kingdom availability date or certification detail was reported1.
Sources1 cited
- Growatt new battery ready inverter now available in Europe, en.growatt.com