GoodWe is one of the most popular solar inverters in Australia. Hence, we have developed one of the most asked-for GoodWe Inverter Review! We will also tell you if the investment is worth it in Australia
Overview of GoodWe – Company History
In the last ten years, GoodWe has become known as one of the top solar inverter makers, and some people in the solar industry think they are just as good as famous European brands.
GoodWe, officially called Jiangsu GoodWe Power Supply Technology Co Ltd, was founded in 2010 and sold in Australia in 2012. At first, they only had a few inverters, but now they have many for homes, businesses, and immense power projects.
They also have many energy storage systems and have sold over 2 million inverters worldwide. Because of this success, big companies like GE and LG Energy use unique inverters made by GoodWe.
A Brief Rundown on GoodWe Inverters
A solar inverter changes the DC electricity from solar panels into AC electricity that the power grid can use. There are two main types of inverters: string inverters and micro-inverters.
GoodWe’s string inverters comprise most of their product line and are the traditional choice in the solar industry. They channel the power from solar panels to a central inverter, which converts it from DC to AC electricity that powers homes.
GoodWe also offers a unique feature: hybrid string inverters. These inverters can charge a solar battery and use solar energy as it’s created, providing a versatile and efficient solution for your solar power needs.
Micro-inverters are usually more expensive and provide a small inverter for each solar panel. This setup allows each panel to work individually, which can be helpful in partially shaded conditions and provides better performance monitoring.
Review GoodWe’s Inverter Range
XS Series: GoodWe’s smallest inverter, about the size of an A4 sheet of paper and weighing 5.2kg, is a single-phase string inverter with 1 MPPT available in sizes from 0.7 to 3kW. It supports 33% DC oversizing and has a maximum efficiency of 97.6%.
DNS Series: A popular choice for homes, especially for 6kW systems. This single-phase inverter comes in sizes from 3kW to 5kW, features 2 MPPTs, and operates quietly without a fan. It has a maximum efficiency of 97.8%.
EH Series: Known for its high capacity and wide MPPT voltage range, this series supports 33% DC oversizing and is designed exclusively for residential use. It’s the only hybrid inverter range from GoodWe.
MS Series: GoodWe’s leading single-phase model with 3 MPPTs is available in sizes from 5 to 10kW. It’s compact yet powerful, weighing up to 22.5kg and allowing 100% DC oversizing.
MT Series: Designed for commercial use, this series includes three-phase models up to 80kW. These inverters feature 4 MPPTs and can handle up to 50% DC oversizing.
Which GoodWe Inverters are Available in Australia?
GoodWe offers a wide range of inverters in Australia, providing many options to cater to different needs and preferences. This variety empowers potential buyers, ensuring they can find a suitable GoodWe inverter for any solar power project.
Most of GoodWe’s inverters are approved by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. This approval guarantees the quality and reliability of GoodWe inverters, making them eligible for Australia’s home solar rebate program.
The CEC-approved GoodWe inverter series and sizes are:
- GoodWe XS Series: 0.7-3kW
- GoodWe DNS Series: 3-5kW
- GoodWe EH Series: 3.6-6kW
- GoodWe SDT Series: 5-10kW, 15kW, and 20kW (DT)
- GoodWe SDT G2 Series: 4-6kW
- GoodWe MS Series: 5-10kW
- GoodWe SMT Series: 25-36kW
- GoodWe MT Series: 50-80kW
- Storage Inverters: ES, EM, SBP, EH, ET series
How Much Do GoodWe Inverters Cost?
GoodWe inverters, manufactured in China on a large scale, are known for their affordability. This makes them a smart investment for high-quality inverters that don’t break the bank.
- GoodWe XS Series 3kW Inverter: $500 to $600
- GoodWe DNS Series 5kW Inverter: $600 to $800
- GoodWe MS Series 10kW Inverter: $1,250 to $1,400
Inverter costs usually make up only 10-20% of your total solar panel system expense. Therefore, spending more on a good-quality inverter can significantly improve the efficiency and performance of your solar power project.
GoodWe Inverters: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable price with good local support.
- Starting January 2021, GoodWe offers a 10-year full warranty for all grid-connected inverters. This extensive warranty provides reassurance, knowing that your investment is protected for a significant period.
- The range includes 3-phase models and high/low voltage battery hybrids.
- Compatible solar PV inverters allow for hybrid system expansion.
- AC coupling can add extra-solar capacity, allowing up to 20kWp on a single phase.
- Integrated with Solar Analytics.
- It is one of the largest ranges of inverters, including hybrid options for almost any installation type.
- The MS series has 3 MPPTs, perfect for installations with panels in three orientations.
- Over ten years of experience in the Australian market.
Cons
- Warranty duration can vary depending on the retailer.
GoodWe Inverter’s Feature Review
Energy Storage Innovations
GoodWe has always been strong in technological innovation. They created one of the first successful all-in-one hybrid inverters in 2014 and a DC-coupled energy storage solution in 2015. This made GoodWe a leader in residential hybrid inverter solutions.
Many other inverter companies, like Alpha-ESS, now use GoodWe’s hybrid architecture in their energy storage products. GoodWe continues to innovate, recently releasing modular lithium battery systems.
Extensive Inverter and Battery Range
GoodWe offers a wide range of solar inverters, from small 0.7kW inverters to large 250kW utility-scale inverters, and several models designed for the Australian market.
For commercial energy storage, GoodWe has various three-phase string inverter options. In 2023, they introduced the third generation of their popular DNS Series residential solar inverters, the G3 series.
GoodWe Residential Solar Inverters
GoodWe offers residential solar inverters for almost every need and region. The powerful A-MS series is made for the US market, while the DNS series is top-rated in Australia. The DNS series is a simple, low-cost, lightweight string inverter that starts with a low voltage of 80V, making it work well in low light.
It has a wide MPPT voltage range of up to 550V, built-in WiFi, monitoring through the SEMS portal app, and a simple LCD for easy setup and monitoring.
Range of Hybrid Inverter Options
GoodWe provides a wide range of storage inverters. Their options include single-phase low-voltage hybrids (ES, EM), single-phase AC coupled retrofit solutions (SBP), single-phase high-voltage hybrids (EH), and three-phase high-voltage hybrids (ET). GoodWe is an excellent choice for hybrid inverter installations or those planning to add batteries later.
Multiple MPP Trackers
Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPTs) help manage different roof orientations. Panels on the same MPPT with different tilts perform only as well as the least efficient panel, affecting daily output.
GoodWe inverters have more MPPTs than many competitors, making them popular. The MS series is the only single-phase inverter in Australia with 3 MPPTs, which is ideal for installing panels on multiple orientations (North, West, East) without needing more expensive micro-inverters or power optimizers.
DC Oversizing
DC oversizing means installing more solar panel capacity than the inverter’s output potential. Though it seems wasteful, considering efficiency losses and the fact that solar panels rarely reach their maximum wattage, oversizing by 33% is cost-effective and allowed by the Clean Energy Council.
Oversizing beyond 33% benefits those with a solar battery, allowing them to store excess DC energy.
Shadow Scan Function
Many GoodWe solar inverters have a shadow scan function that helps reduce the effects of partial shading on solar panels. When a few panels in a string are shaded, it can cause a significant loss of power by disrupting the string’s voltage and current.
With the shadow scan function, the inverter’s MPP trackers regularly check the strings for the maximum power point, ensuring the system works at maximum power and reducing the impact of partial shading.
Testing this function on a partially shaded solar array showed noticeable performance improvement with the shadow scan function enabled. However, using Tigo optimizers on the shaded panels or microinverters might be a better solution for heavily shaded solar arrays.
GoodWe Inverter Review in Terms of Efficiency and Warranty
Efficiency
Choosing the right size is essential to optimize your solar panel system’s efficiency to get the most value from a solar inverter. Most residential inverters have efficiency standards between 95% and 98%, and GoodWe inverters meet these standards.
The least efficient GoodWe inverter, the NS Series 1kW, still has a max efficiency of 96.5%. All other GoodWe inverters have at least 97% max efficiency.
Some GoodWe models, like the SDT Series 10kW, have a maximum efficiency of over 98%. This three-phase dual-MPPT string inverter has a maximum efficiency of 98.3%, making it one of the most efficient in the industry.
Warranties
All CEC-approved GoodWe inverters in Australia have a standard 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. For the DNS and MS series, GoodWe offers an additional five years for parts only.
Customers receive free replacement parts from years 5 to 10 but must pay for delivery, labor costs, and any taxes or duties.
In 2019, GoodWe introduced an online warranty extension service. Depending on the inverter model, customers can extend their warranty periods up to 25 years by entering the serial number on GoodWe’s online portal.
This must be done within six months for inverters above 25kW and within two years for inverters below 25kW.
Now, the Age Old Question, Is GoodWe Worth the Investment?
GoodWe inverters are one of the best budget options available. Choosing a GoodWe inverter can save you about $1200 compared to other brands.
They are reliable and easy to set up; many installers prefer them. GoodWe is consistently rated as one of Australia’s top 3 inverter manufacturers.
Initially, GoodWe inverters came with a standard 5-year warranty, with some models offering an additional five years for parts only.
However, the company has since introduced a promotional 10-year warranty on its grid-connect and some hybrid inverters installed in Australia.
GoodWe might be the only string inverter option for homes with multiple roof orientations. Technically, GoodWe inverters offer features similar to those of some premium brands.
GoodWe is considered one of the more reputable inverter manufacturers. With a solid history in the Australian residential solar market, their inverters are more competitively priced than European or micro-inverter options, providing good value for customers on a budget.
In our professional opinion, GoodWe is definitely worth the investment. Luckily for you, it is also one of our company’s best-selling products!
So, without wasting any time, order your favorite GoodWe inverter today! Contact Solar Emporium and check our lucrative solar packages. Get a free solar quote right now!
