• PLENTICORE and PIKO MP plus inverters combined with BYD storage solutions are put to the test in HTW Berlin’s 2021 Electricity Storage Inspection
• Greater efficiency through improved control speeds
• AutoUpdate allows existing systems to benefit too
• Excellent profitability with AC and DC system designs
• Maximum power and utilisation capacities ensure the best self-consumption options
• KOSTAL offers all-round flexible solutions (AC/DC systems, 1/3-phase devices)

The last three years have already delivered outstanding results. This year, KOSTAL and its PLENTICORE series inverters successfully proved themselves for the fourth time in the System Performance Index (SPI). For the first time, the PIKO MP plus single-phase inverter from KOSTAL in combination with a BYD battery also underwent the storage inspection and excelled.

2021 SPI: A brief explanation of the storage test

The solar storage systems research group at HTW Berlin compares the system properties annually on the basis of test reports provided by independent measurement laboratories. According to efficiency guidelines, storage systems are tested on the basis of simulations and evaluated with the so-called SPI.

For KOSTAL, the PLENTICORE plus inverter in the 5.5 and 10 kW power classes, the PLENTICORE BI 10/26 battery inverter and the PIKO MP plus 4.6-2 in combination with BYD battery boxes of the premium HVS design were put through their paces on the efficiency test rig.

In addition to KOSTAL inverters, fifteen other manufacturers took part. A total of 20 storage solutions were scrutinised.

For inverters in the 5kW and 10kW power classes, two reference situations were used to gauge the devices. In the first variant, a 5 kWp solar system with a home consumption of 5010 kWh per year was investigated. The second variant included a system setup with the same home consumption, operation of a 10 kWp solar system, supplying 2664 kWh a year to a heat pump and an electric car with an annual consumption of 1690 kWh.

2021 SPI: All the results at a glance

PLENTICORE plus 10 kW: Powerful performance – minimal conversion losses

The KOSTAL PLENTICORE plus scored a System Performance Index of 93.7 in the 10 kW version with coupled BYD Battery-Box of the Premium version HVS 12.8. The control and dimensioning losses were minimal at 0.1 per cent. The standby consumption of the inverter and associated components were also impressive. The system delivered a highly usable storage capacity of 12.8 kWh and high conversion efficiencies of almost 96 percent for charging and discharging. With this result, PLENTICORE plus 10 kW achieved 3rd place and the outstanding energy class A.

PLENTICORE BI 10 kW/26: Large storage for powerful consumers

The 10 kW/26 amp version of the PLENTICORE BI AC battery inverter in combination with the BYD Battery Box was also impressive in every respect thanks to its good efficiency. Here, KOSTAL achieved a gain of almost 0.8 percentage points in the SPI through system improvements and achieved a very good system efficiency with an outstanding 92.7 percent. Storage management for high-performance consumers is thus of very high quality.

The KOSTAL BYD system also excels with the lowest losses in conversion, dimensioning, control and energy management. The usable battery capacity of this configuration is over 12 kWh, which ensures fast charging and discharging cycles at a current of 26 amps. In this storage test, the PLENTICORE BI 10 kW/26 achieves the best SPI result among the AC-coupled systems.

PLENTICORE plus 5 kW: High efficiency, powerful performance

In the 5 kW class, the PLENTICORE plus with BYD Battery-Box HVS 7.7 also demonstrated its great efficiency. The PLENTICORE-BYD combination achieved impressive test results with an SPI of 91.2 percent. Further improvements in the control dynamics could be achieved through optimised software. These in turn had a positive effect on the overall result. The high efficiency of the inverter and high-voltage battery impress with strong performance of the entire system. In the 2021 SPI, the PLENTICORE plus 5 kW achieved a ranking among the top 3 in this power class.

PIKO MP plus: Lucrative performance in entire system

The PIKO MP plus 4.6 2 showed its strengths in both DC operation and AC operation, achieving high efficiency values in the single-phase range with an SPI of 90 percent (DC) and 89.6 percent (AC).

In addition to the high efficiencies, the good inverter efficiency, fast settling time and low standby consumption of the battery are key to the all-round lucrative performance of the entire system. Thus, the PIKO MP plus was even able to clearly outperform the established market leaders despite only participating in SPI for the first time.

2021 SPI: How all KOSTAL customers benefit

The results in the HTW test confirm that KOSTAL inverters with a storage solution from BYD are the right choice. PLENTICORE plus, PLENTICORE BI and PIKO MP plus, for example, were able to demonstrate their extremely profitable system operation with a very high self-consumption proportion by connecting BYD storage systems. Strong performance and high efficiency, with minimal conversion losses and low standby consumption. With inverters from KOSTAL, high PV yields and the best self-consumption options can be achieved.

Activate AutoUpdate now

In conjunction with KOSTAL’s AutoUpdate, existing customers of a PLENTICORE plus or PLENTICORE BI also benefit from this SPI commendation. Simply activate AutoUpdate and set up the latest software for the PLENTICORE plus or PLENTICORE BI. The software is therefore always up-to-date for KOSTAL customers and – as the test was also able to prove – always ensures the best results.

AutoUpdate: Watch video now and activate

With the PLENTICORE plus as an excellent hybrid inverter, the PLENTICORE BI as a powerful battery inverter in the three-phase connection range and the PIKO MP plus as a single-phase all-round inverter, all customer requirements are covered perfectly in terms of system design, storage connection and flexible system configuration.