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An Expert Review of Huawei Inverters

Manufacturer's Profile

Huawei (pronounced hua-way), known primarily for its phones, communications technology and other consumer electronics, is a Chinese multinational technology corporation. Founded in 1987, Huawei has a workforce of 197,000, operation centres in more than 170 countries including Nigeria and a place among on the Fortune 500 Global, the most valuable companies in the world. The Huawei brand enjoys a strong global reputation. Of recent, however, it has been caught in the crossfires of political and economic altercations between the West and China.


With 96,000 of its 197,000 employees, representing 53.4% dedicated to research and development, Huawei is regarded as one of the most innovative and research-driven companies in the world. In 2021, the EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) ranked it number 2 R&D investor in the world.


Huawei has been involved in the solar industry but only with offerings of string inverters, that is non-hybrid inverters, and for its large-scale, commercial and utility-scale projects. By 2020, it had become the world's largest manufacturer of string inverters, a position it still retains even till now. It would offer its first hybrid, 'battery-ready' inverter range, the SUN2000L, for residential use in 2018. Two years later, it released its second generation range of residential hybrid inverters, a new compact optimizer and a range of 3-phase hybrid and large commercial inverters with capabilities for very advanced functions.


Technology

1. Advanced Partial and Full Optimization Capabilities

Huawei's inverters incorporate optimization abilities. This sets them apart from all other solar inverter. Typically, optimizers are modules that have to be connected to solar panels to optimize their performance but Huawei's first-gen SUN200L range come with full panel optimization capability. The second-generation inverter range incorporates an even more powerful optimization capability. In this way, Huawei retains traditional string inverter technology in making hybrid inverters.


The application of an optimizer or micro-inverters in a solar inverter is to monitor and optimize the performance and output of a solar panel. By incorporating this capability in its solar inverters, solar panels connected to the inverter are able to function with or without optimizers. They provide extra performance benefits against shading, panel mismatch and manufacturing issues, current and voltage leakage, micro-cracking, hot spots, soiling, etc. In addition to other additional performance benefits.


2. 'Battery-Ready'

Huawei inverters are compatible with the popular LG Chem battery and a new Huawei battery system, the LUNA2000. They also incorporate a inbuilt battery charger that can be connected directly to a battery.


3. A Smart Natural Cooling System

Most modern inverters include built-in cooling fans and vents that aid the dissipation of accumulated heat in the inverter. Cooling fans are incorporated to aid the flow of heat away by natural convention.


Huawei's inverters do not have cooling fans and depends on a design architecture that aids natural heat dissipation. This intelligent design ensures that the inverter has no hot spots and emits very little noise. Since cooling fans draw power from the inverter, this design increases power generation and gives the inverter a high protection level, reliability and corrosion resistance.


4. No LCD Monitors

Huawei inverters do not have the typical LCD screen, monitors, buttons or other displays like other inverters. Setting up, using and monitoring the inverter can be done through Wi-Fi. In a way, this helps prevent malfunction.


5. High Protection Rating

Huawei's inverters come with a high ingress protection (IP) rating. This means they are resistant to a heavy force of water at a jet speed and heavy accumulation of dust.


6. IV-Curve Testing For Large-Scale Installations

Huawei hybrid inverters are able to track up to twenty problems in a large-scale installation. With just a ten-minute test, it can detect blown diodes to micro-cracks, shading, panel contrasting, or even grubby panels.


7. FusionSolar

The FusionSolar software is a cloud-based monitoring portal with an interactive UI/UX interface where users can monitor their power usage patterns.


Huawei's Inverter Range

Huawei offers two range of residential inverters, the SUN2000L with capacities between 2kW to 5kW and the SUN2000L1 with capacities ranging from 2kW to 6kW. They come in single and three-phase configurations.


The SUN2000L1 inverter is an upgraded version of the SUN200L with a more powerful optimizers and a compatibility with the Huawei LUNA2000 battery system. The SUN2000-L1 series also features ‘dual MPPT’s’ and a wide operating voltage range of 120V to 600V.


They have a compact and lightweight design. They also do not have any displays, having only 3 LED indicators. They also feature an integrated DC isolator.

Huawei also has a range of inverters for commercial and utility installations with power ratings of up to 60kW.


Warranty

Huawei offers a ten-year warranty on their inverters. This warranty goes into effect on the 180th day after the shipment from Huawei or on the installation date. It covers the price of a spare, logistics and replacement costs. At a upfront fee, it can be extended for another 10 years.


Huawei makes inverters that have a secure position on many lists of 'best inverters'. Like most manufacturers in China where labour and materials are cheap, Huawei offers first grade performance at a relatively lower price than its European and American competitors. Huawei also provides extensive customer support for any query, remote maintenance or technical support for the faulty products through email or phone call.


SolarKobo helps homeowners and businesses in Lagos and throughout Nigeria make the best choice of inverters. We are always confident and happy to recommend Huawei inverters.

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