Canadian Solar EP Cube HEU2-T12G1Three-phase hybrid inverter (PCS) for EP Cube storage, up to 12kVA, 4 MPPT

Overview

The EP Cube HEU2-T12G1 is the three-phase PCS of Canadian Solar's EP Cube system, sold here without battery modules. It takes up to 24kWp of PV on four MPP trackers, one string each at up to 17A, and supplies 8 to 12kVA depending on the grid code; the Italian datasheet sets 10kVA. Two to eight EP Cube B2-5G2 modules stack beneath it for 10–40kWh. With the optional Smart Gateway it provides three-phase backup with switchover under 20ms.

• Stackable 5kWh LiFePO4 modules, IP67 when stacked
• Three-phase PCS up to 12kVA, 4 MPPT, 24kWp PV
• Single-phase PCS up to 7.6kVA, 2 MPPT, 10kWp PV
• 10–40kWh three-phase, 5–20kWh single-phase (Italy)
• CEI 0-21 and EN 50549-1 certificates published
• 10-year inverter warranty, battery up to 15 years

How the system is built

An EP Cube consists of a PCS, the hybrid bidirectional inverter that handles PV, battery and grid, mounted on top of a stack of EP Cube B2-5G2 battery modules sitting on a base. Each module holds 5kWh of LiFePO4 cells at 51.2V nominal, weighs 42kg and measures 600×266×200mm; the modules are connected in series with the PCS, and the assembled tower is IP67 for the batteries and IP65 for the inverter.

The three-phase PCS (EP Cube HEU2-T12G1) takes 2 to 8 modules for 10–40kWh, with towers of more than four modules split over two columns on a long base. The single-phase HES-EU2-S7 system takes 1 to 4 modules for 5–20kWh in the Italian datasheet. Floor mounting is standard, with an optional wall-mount kit.

Operating modes and backup

The EP Cube runs self-consumption, time-of-use and backup modes, with monitoring and OTA firmware updates through the EP Cube app. On the three-phase system, backup during a grid outage needs the optional EP Cube Smart Gateway; the backup output then supplies up to 12kVA three-phase (10kVA in the Italian datasheet), supports unbalanced loads and switches over in under 20ms. The single-phase system offers 7.6kVA backup with a switching time below 30ms; Canadian Solar lists an AC switch box (ASB1-40) as accessory.

Installation and compatibility

The installation manual asks for a sheltered location away from direct sunlight and rain, at least 300mm on the sides and between units and 200mm above the tower; wall-mounted units need 1,000mm from doors and windows. Operating range is -20°C to +50°C, with charging only from 0°C, and 0°C to 30°C is recommended. The PCS works with new PV arrays and as an AC retrofit to existing systems, and reads an EP Cube smart meter at the grid connection point.

Grid standards in the European datasheets include CEI 0-21, VDE-AR-N 4105, EN 50549-1, G99 and NTS 2.1; Canadian Solar publishes CEI 0-21 and EN 50549 certificates for both the three-phase and single-phase 5kWh systems. Rated AC power is set to the national grid code: the single-phase unit runs at 6kW under CEI 0-21, and the Italian three-phase datasheet gives 10kVA.

Warranty

Under the EU limited warranty statement (version 3.2), the PCS and other EP Cube products carry 10 years and accessories 2 years. Battery modules are warranted to retain at least 80% of initial capacity for 10 years, with an extended product warranty to 15 years or 4.8MWh throughput per kWh, subject to registration and the conditions of the statement. Batteries can be added to an existing system within two years.

Questions and answers