Great start on the questions list. Can you add cell balancing methods, calibration needs. Operations temperature range, indoor or outdoor storage. If outdoors then does it need insulation and snow covers for winter. How hot does it get self heating in summer? I’m sure to think of more.

You've captured the big ones of UK regs and compatibility with existing set ups!

Can you see if it will work well with an existing roof top solar and battery set up, I assume by clamping the export power line, the INDE can sense excess solar and knows it charging your fixed batteries?

I would just used something like this to boost my 13kw of existing storage or boost my output to cover higher powered equipment, I also assume if these can give out 2kw supply that would boost my existing 5kW output to stacked 7kW at any one time?

@ashp-bobba, from the brochure and specs I’ve gone through so far (haven’t hooked the unit up yet to the house, because I'm waiting for my electrician to come out this week to go through our electrics, RCBOs and install the smart meter), yes, it should work alongside your rooftop solar and existing battery bank. It’s an AC-coupled plug-in system, so you just fit a CT clamp on the export line and set it to charge only from excess PV. The app looks excellent too and you can fine tune import/export times with loads of other parameters.

I don't think it will directly charge your fixed batteries as it charges itself when it sees surplus solar, which is perfect for adding extra capacity on sunny days without messing with your main setup.

On boosting your 13 kWh storage, that’s spot on. The PFA 2000 expansion pack adds roughly another 2 kWh usable, and because it’s modular you can scale it further if needed. I think each stack can go up to 10kWh and it has a 2kW-ish inverter.

For output power, the Powerflex 2000 is rated at 2.4 kW (not 2 kW). So if your existing inverter is 5 kW, running them together should give you a combined 7.4 kW when both are supplying at the same time. 

Indevolt is also releasing a new 4 kW stackable unit soon that’s only a bit bigger than the current one, so even more power in a compact size is on the way.

So far, I find the ease of use very appealing. 

@judith, some good questions there. I’ll add them to the testing plan and add them to the review.

Question from me - what does it do when grid power fails.  I see that one variant at least can be used as a portable power pack, but if its plugged into your house what happens during a power cut?

@jamespa I can answer this one now because I asked the country manager (and it will be included in the review) and the system does island, so it will continue to run the house. We only have a 4kWh stack to test, but the new version will be able to stack to 20kWh-is which makes it interesting.

Posted by: @editor

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@jamespa I can answer this one now because I asked the country manager (and it will be included in the review) and the system does island, so it will continue to run the house. We only have a 4kWh stack to test, but the new version will be able to stack to 20kWh-is which makes it interesting.

Interesting, that raises quite a few questions on which I am sure @transparent will want to comment!  Whats the maximum output power in island mode?

@editor Good to know that this will work alongside an existing PV and battery system. Adding additional battery storage that's not connected to the existing PV/battery inverters would mean more off-peak charging to use for later in the day during winter days when batteries run out by mid to late afternoon due to HP usage. Plus, this would help top up storage when existing fixed batteries start to degrade capacity over time. We could effectively maintain the current levels of storage for longer without having to replace the full fixed battery system. Looking forward to your review.

@chandykris absolutely. The UK Indevolt team are also finalising pricing for the UK, but the initial numbers I've heard are going to be extremely competitive. So far, the product is ticking a lot of boxes.

Posted by: @editor

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@chandykris absolutely. The UK Indevolt team are also finalising pricing for the UK, but the initial numbers I've heard are going to be extremely competitive. So far, the product is ticking a lot of boxes.

I hope so, it may shake the industry up.  I cant help feeling its still price-gouging and relying on the exclusivity that MCS provides.  I wonder if it will eventually be accepted for export?

@editor Oh great, might wait for the 4kw then, I am going to see how the 13kw I have do against using the 5kW Vaillant on the Adia Thermal over the tariff gaps, I will be programming our batteries to charge back up on cheap power and try to cover the peak periods, my calculations show that 13kw is enough even in winter with what we use if charge 2 or 3 times a day.

I am looking forward to messing around and balancing the whole house smart systems, good practice for me to help others then, perhaps we can then offer this support on commissioning for free as an add on to our ASHp as this seems to be the way its all going to go, saves the home owner having to work it all out.