CyboInverter?

[miner49r]

Hiya Folks,

Trying to wrap my head around what equipment I'll need to set up a Grid Tie PV system. While cruising the net I ran across this CyboInverter . It claims to be a cross between a string inverter and micro inverter. The spec sheet is here...

http://www.cyboenergy.com/downloads/CyboInverter-CI-Mini-1000A-Spec-Sheet-Aug-2013.pdf

At $800 with a 10yr warranty it seems too good to be true. How do we confirm if this unit is truly UL Listed?

Alan

[SunEagle]

Hiya Folks,

Trying to wrap my head around what equipment I'll need to set up a Grid Tie PV system. While cruising the net I ran across this CyboInverter . It claims to be a cross between a string inverter and micro inverter. The spec sheet is here...

http://www.cyboenergy.com/downloads/CyboInverter-CI-Mini-1000A-Spec-Sheet-Aug-2013.pdf

At $800 with a 10yr warranty it seems too good to be true. How do we confirm if this unit is truly UL Listed?

Alan

Do the research. All UL listed equipment should be on the UL data base.

While this unit seems nice I think the Enphase inverters are closer to $160 each which would make 4 of them cost around $640. So for the additional $$ the Cybo better have more benifits.

[russ]

Hiya Folks,

Trying to wrap my head around what equipment I'll need to set up a Grid Tie PV system. While cruising the net I ran across this CyboInverter . It claims to be a cross between a string inverter and micro inverter. The spec sheet is here...

http://www.cyboenergy.com/downloads/CyboInverter-CI-Mini-1000A-Spec-Sheet-Aug-2013.pdf

At $800 with a 10yr warranty it seems too good to be true. How do we confirm if this unit is truly UL Listed?

Alan

Alan - Heck of a deal! A no name inverter from a company no one has heard of. The guarantee is meaningless - stick with known quantities.

[miner49r]

Thanks for the reality check guys. Sticking with the tried and true.

[Roark]

I was on the fence for the same reason when I Iearned about the Cybo Inverter. One was purchased as a gift for me, however, and so far we just love it! Visit <redacted> and ask about their latest model, sporting the new ac assist feature.

After scouring the Internet, it seemed to me there were only two approches to solar. Grid tied, and off grid, ie batteries, charge controller, inverter.

The Cybo Inverter with ac assist, from Cybo Energy, requires no batteries or grid. If you have grid access, it uses power from the grid, but only as a supplement to the power from your solar panels. It is a game changer, and I recommend it!

Mod Note: The link was removed while we try to decide to what extent this might be a real review versus an attempt to get free advertising.

[Mike90250]

> Cybo Inverter
Site powered by Weebly
HA !!
They don't show a schematic of their batteryless Air Cond, only a video, so I'll try to motivate myself to watch it when I am in town again.
Just think, small inverters with MPPT that can feed the grid . Wait, someone else has done that years ago ! But they do have one for preheating your hot water

[Roark]

It was not my intention to come across as some sort of advertisement. Turns out the Cybo Inverter is very real, and I merely wanted to share some of my excitement about a this amazing product. I figured it had to exist.

It is not like any of the micro inverters and it is not a grid-tied inverter, as it does not upload to the power companie's grid. (This is why I said what I did in my previous post about it not requiring a grid or a battery.)

I am pleased to report that it works quite nicely, pulling from the grid under low level light conditions, to supplement power from the panels when necessary!

I would not expect Cybo Energy to divulge unique aspects of the Cybo Inverter via a schematic. It is hardly a trivial device. With its MPPT algorithm, the power of the sun is harnessed rather effectively. The Cybo Inverter powers large appliances like air conditioners, using the grid to supplement, but only when needed.

At nearly 18 inches squared and 18 pounds, it is not small, nor are the results! : - )

[Ampster]

...............

After scouring the Internet, it seemed to me there were only two approches to solar. Grid tied, and off grid, ie batteries, charge controller, inverter.
..........

Actually you left out the the fastest growing segment which is the grid tied battery inverter. In California there is the Self Generation Incentive Program that offers a rebate and if the system charges the batteries from the sun and additional 30% tax credit is available.

[Ampster]

...........

I would not expect Cybo Energy to divulge unique aspects of the Cybo Inverter via a schematic. It is hardly a trivial device. With its MPPT algorithm, the power of the sun is harnessed rather effectively. The Cybo Inverter powers large appliances like air conditioners, using the grid to supplement, but only when needed.
.........

Schematic? I visited their site and the diagrams they divulged show that they are using water heaters or air conditioners to store heat or cold. Perhaps they operate like microinverters but there is not UL listing information and any details about conformity with NEC 2017. It is not a novel or unique concept but could be dangerous without any of the above certifications. The other question is, what is the cost effectiveness of that, versus a Net Energy Metering arrangement.?

[Roark]

I was just not that interested in a grid-tied system, a majority of which are currently inoperable when the grid goes down, due to the anti-islanding code.

I was certainly not interested in having my roof rented out to a company that owns the panels, only to have them turn around and gouge me too.

My Cybo Inverter includes a certificate and is both NEC and UL llisted.

Indeed, Cybo Energy got started early with water heaters. There are two heating elements as you know, one is from the Cybo Inverter, the other is from the grid, which is set to a slightly lower temp, giving energy from the solar panels priority. Brilliant, really.

Rather than have the entire house try to run on batteries, I figure it makes sense to focus on big items that are costly to run, such as air conditioners. Luckily, when the heat is most unbearable, it happens to coincide with the bright shining sun!

So, rather than get paid mere pennies for selling electricity to the utility company during the day, I can now run the air conditioner when it is hot out, without incurring needless expense.

And, instead of taking 8+ years to pay for itself or more, as the typical system does, we're looking at around $2,000 for a few panels and the Cybo Inverter! : - )

[Ampster]

I was just not that interested in a grid-tied system, a majority of which are currently inoperable when the grid goes down, due to the anti-islanding code.
.....

Indeed, Cybo Energy got started early with water heaters. There are two heating elements as you know, one is from the Cybo Inverter, the other is from the grid, which is set to a slightly lower temp, giving energy from the solar panels priority. Brilliant, really.

Not necessarily brilliant. That is what I do with my grid tied system and my heat pump water heater.

Rather than have the entire house try to run on batteries, I figure it makes sense to focus on big items that are costly to run, such as air conditioners. Luckily, when the heat is most unbearable, it happens to coincide with the bright shining sun!

So, rather than get paid mere pennies for selling electricity to the utility company during the day, I can now run the air conditioner when it is hot out, without incurring needless expense.

And, instead of taking 8+ years to pay for itself or more, as the typical system does, we're looking at around $2,000 for a few panels and the Cybo Inverter! : - )

That maybe a cost effective solution but I would suggest also using heat pump water heaters, at least in temperate climates , because they are more efficient. I am sure the payback is good compared to running a resistive element to heat water at prime time. Slower payback against the cost of heat pump water heater. However the fact that you can incrementally add capacity and only have to pull a building permit could have its advantages. I will review their site and verify which version of NEC they comply with. I believe there is a specific UL rule but I will clarify and update later.
N.B. I did discover that they comply with UL1741.

[bcroe]

There might be some cases where peak load times can line up perfectly with available sunlight
(nothing like that happens here). For all the rest, a grid tie is most efficient and best ROI. As for
backup, get a generator, as I did decades ago. Bruce Roe

[Roark]

There might be some cases where peak load times can line up perfectly with available sunlight
.. <snip> Bruce Roe

See? That's the Beauty of the Cybo Inverter. It is efficient like the grid-tied inverters, but without the strings attached.

No need to spend $50-$100 extra per panel, on top of an expensive central inverter. No failure when the grid is down. No long tern financing required. The investment was small, around $2,000 for a few panels and the Cybo Inverter, and already I'm shaving from my utility bill.

When the load times don't line up perfectly as you say, the Cybo Inverter pulls a 100 watts or so from the grid, in order to power my 600 watt window air conditioner, or 200 watts or so in order to power my 1,040 watt portable air conditioner.

I've had a generator for years, but have yet to need it. With the Cybo Inverter not being tied to the grid, it can run when the grid is down during the day, and even at night via the 48v battery bank option!

[Ampster]

There might be some cases where peak load times can line up perfectly with available sunlight
(nothing like that happens here). For all the rest, a grid tie is most efficient and best ROI. As for
backup, get a generator, as I did decades ago. Bruce Roe

The unintended result in California as the Power Companies continue to shift their time of use rates to later in the day is to incentivize storage.. They are just creating a market for battery storage and the state has incentivized this shift by offering large rebates under the Self Generation Incentive Program. Initially you could have got a Tesla Powerwall at a net cost of $4000 after incentives.

[Roark]

That's interesting because what I heard was that when you enter into a net metering arrangement anywhere in California you agree not to upload to the grid from battery. Despite a glut of power from solar panels during the day, California mandates that all new construction must have solar panels installed.