KOSTAL PLENTICORE M G3 8.5kW8.5kW three-phase hybrid inverter, upgradeable to 12.5kW

Overview

The PLENTICORE M G3 is the mid-size KOSTAL third-generation hybrid inverter with a basic power of 8.5kW and up to 12.75kWp of PV. Two inputs take 17A and the third 30A, which can serve either a high-current string or a high-voltage battery with up to 12.75kW charge and discharge power. Activation codes raise the output to 10kW or 12.5kW (up to 18.75kWp), and with a battery it supplies three-phase backup of up to 12.5kVA.

• Three sizes: 4.0–7.0kW, 8.5–12.5kW, 15–20kW
• Power and battery input unlockable later by activation code
• 3 MPP trackers, 1000V max., up to 30A per input
• Three-phase backup with KOSTAL BackUp Switch
• Works with KOSTAL HELIVOR HV and listed HV batteries
• IP65, 2×LAN, Wi-Fi, Modbus TCP/SunSpec

How it works

PLENTICORE G3 is a three-phase, transformerless inverter for 230/400V grids that can be operated as a PV inverter, a hybrid inverter with a high-voltage battery, or a pure battery inverter. Its third DC input is a combined input for either PV or battery. A paid activation code releases the battery function, so a system can start as PV only and add storage later.

The inverter comes in three sizes with a basic power of 4.0kW (S), 8.5kW (M) or 15kW (L). Each size can be raised in two further steps by a paid power upgrade: the S to 5.5 and 7.0kW, the M to 10 and 12.5kW, and the L to 17.5 and 20kW. Maximum PV power and DC input limits follow the activated level.

Key features

Three independent MPP trackers work over a 75–900V range with 1000V maximum system voltage. DC inputs take 17A on the S, 17/17/30A on the M and 30A each on the L, which suits high-current modules. European efficiency ranges from 97.20% to 97.72%. The IP65 housing measures 409×561×237mm, is fan-cooled at 39dB(A) and accepts a retrofit type 2 DC surge protection module.

With a battery and an external KOSTAL BackUp Switch (switch-over under 5 seconds) or an automatic backup box (under 30 seconds), the inverter supplies a three-phase backup grid of up to 7.0, 12.5 or 20kVA depending on size. Multi Device Control lets one PLENTICORE G3 act as host for up to three inverters, from software 3.06.10.

Installation and compatibility

Mount the inverter on a vertical wall with 200mm clearance above and below and 100mm at the sides, up to 2000m altitude. AC protection is B16/C16 for the S, B25/C25 for the M and B32/C32 for the L, and a type A or type B residual current device rated up to 300mA may be used; type A compatibility is enabled by default. DC connectors are SUNCLIX, AC uses spring-type terminals.

Battery operation and home-consumption metering need an approved energy meter on Modbus RTU, such as the KOSTAL Smart Energy Meter. Released batteries include KOSTAL HELIVOR HV, BYD Battery-Box HVS, HVM and HVB, Pylontech Force-H1 to H3, Dyness Tower and Stack100, LG RESU FLEX, VARTA.wall, AXITEC AXIstorage, M-TEC Energy Tower and ZYC SIMPO HV, within the 95–820V battery input range.

Monitoring and settings

Commissioning runs through a wizard on the display, a smartphone browser or the KOSTAL Solar App. Monitoring in the KOSTAL Solar Portal and app is free, and installers can be granted remote access. Interfaces include two LAN ports, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Modbus TCP/SunSpec, four digital outputs for load control and SG Ready. Software updates install automatically. The 10-year warranty combines 5 years from activating KOSTAL Smart Warranty with 5 more on registering the system in the portal.

Questions and answers