PLENTICORE plus from KOSTAL – for efficient use of solar power

The KOSTAL PLENTICORE plus G2 three-phase hybrid inverter truly lives up to its name. Thanks to its wide range of applications, it is the ideal solution for both standalone power generation and for combining photovoltaics with storage. With up to three MPP trackers, it allows for flexible configuration of roof surfaces with varying orientations and ensures optimum energy yield.

In addition to conventional solar energy, energy from a CHP unit or a combined heat and power plant can also be integrated into the system and stored. The battery can be connected directly during the initial installation or easily retrofitted at a later date. This flexibility ensures maximum investment security and allows the system to be expanded as required.
 

The second-generation PLENTICORE plus is particularly smart. The built-in Wi-Fi makes initial commissioning and monitoring much easier. There are also two LAN ports available, which can be used to network multiple inverters in a daisy-chain configuration – ideal for larger systems.

For even greater flexibility, the unit features four digital outputs. This allows additional loads such as heat pumps, air conditioning units or charging stations to be controlled precisely and integrated intelligently into the energy management system.

With the open, standardised EEBus interface, the inverter can be flexibly integrated into modern energy management systems. Furthermore, the VDE-compliant coupling switch can be activated directly within the unit.

The PLENTICORE plus G2 thus remains what it has always been: reliable, smart and easy to use – a powerful all-rounder for future-proof energy systems. 

With a maximum input current of 15 amps per MPP tracker, the PLENTICORE plus G2 is optimally designed for today’s high-performance PV modules. Modules based on modern cell technologies now deliver high currents that can be efficiently processed. This enables better utilisation of available roof space, increases planning flexibility and boosts yield potential – particularly for complex system designs. And thanks to the DC channel power of 7.5 kW, it is possible to cover household consumption from the battery with up to 7.5 kW. 

Particular emphasis is placed on simple installation and operation. The entire commissioning process, including battery activation, is conveniently carried out via the app. The battery menu is integrated into the top-level menu – similar to the G3 generation – ensuring intuitive navigation. The new ‘Battery Info’ overview menu centralises all relevant information.

Key system data is immediately visible on the display, ensuring that system operators always have a clear overview. An integrated Wi-Fi bridge also improves range and ensures stable communication. 

As a Hybrid inverter, the system intelligently combines solar power generation with battery storage. The high current draw enables rapid charging of connected high-voltage batteries such as the KOSTAL HELIVOR HV. At the same time, stored energy can be fed into the domestic grid at high power when consumption rises – for example, when operating several high-power appliances or charging an electric vehicle. This significantly increases self-consumption and cost-effectiveness.

Features of the HELIVOR HV:

• Easy installation: Plug & Play, plug-in connections, screwless module connections
• Space-saving & lightweight: compact design, ideal for indoor and outdoor installation (IP65)
• Flexibly expandable: from 6.4 to 230.4 kWh via modular towers and parallel connection
• Maximum performance: high charging and discharging power with KOSTAL PLENTICORE inverter
• Robust & safe: lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology, VDE and CE certified
• Investment security: 10-year warranty from KOSTAL
   

With the AutoUpdate feature, your PLENTICORE inverter is always state-of-the-art.

Once activated and set up, the inverters install every new software update fully automatically: this ensures that every new feature, bug fix, compatibility update and performance optimisation is always up to date.

All KOSTAL PLENTICORE inverters are supplied with the default setting “manual software update”. If you wish to update automatically, you must actively select this function on the inverter. You can find out how to do this here.

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When combined with the BYD Battery Box, the PLENTICORE plus achieved top marks for system efficiency across several performance classes in PV storage systems. This was tested – or rather, proven – on multiple occasions during the independent energy storage inspection carried out by HTW Berlin.

Furthermore, as a Hybrid inverter, the PLENTICORE plus offers optimal acquisition costs. Unlike pure battery inverters, no additional equipment is required, as the PLENTICORE plus handles energy management for both the PV system and the battery simultaneously. This allows for effective savings on acquisition costs.

The PLENTICORE plus, available in power classes ranging from 3 to 10 kW, can operate as a standalone solar inverter or in hybrid mode when connected to a battery storage system. The PLENTICORE plus features three DC inputs, each with a maximum input current of 13 amps.

This means that the PLENTICORE plus 10 can be used to connect up to 16 modules (and more) from the new 400W module generation.

Heat pumps are ideal appliances because they allow for what is known as load shifting. This means that the consumption of available energy can be precisely timed.

This is a major advantage, particularly when it comes to hot water supply. If the PV system also has surplus energy, this can be used to trigger a switch-on recommendation or to raise the setpoint temperature. Particularly during the transitional periods in spring and autumn, not only water heating but also the building’s heating system can be operated using the greatest possible proportion of solar energy.

In combination with the KOSTAL PLENTICORE plus G2 inverter, this offers an ideal route towards achieving self-sufficiency.

The heat pump utilises the surplus power that would otherwise be fed into the public grid. The heat pump’s controller reads the surplus power via the network and ensures that the heat pump never consumes more than the available power. This is a clear advantage over the SG Ready interface, which only allows for imprecise control. When used in combination with SG Ready, it can sometimes even happen that the heat pump draws power from the grid. The electricity savings are therefore greater with network-based control.

The central control unit for Solvis hybrid heating systems is the SolvisControl 3 (SC-3 for short). This can be used to operate various heat generators, such as the heat pump, solar thermal systems, conventional heat generators, a pellet heating system, PV2Heat systems and/or a third-party heat generator.

Thanks to its network interface and Modbus TCP support, direct communication between the PLENTICORE plus inverter and the Brunner Smart Home module is possible without any problems. Alternatively, the KOSTAL Smart Energy Meter can also be used, for example if several inverters are installed in a system.

The Brunner heat pump monitors the battery charging process and, depending on the settings, uses only the surplus energy that would otherwise be fed into the grid once the batteries are fully charged. The conversion of surplus PV yield into heating energy is carried out using the Brunner BWP 4/14 green or BWP 3/13 heat pump. The battery storage unit cannot be discharged unintentionally by the heat pump, as the BSH control system immediately detects any draw from the battery and regulates the heat pump accordingly. What makes this special is that the heat pump can dynamically adjust its output range, e.g. in the event of a surplus of solar energy.

The PLENTICORE hybrid inverter from KOSTAL and the S-series heat pump from NIBE can be easily connected via Wi-Fi or a network to ensure seamless communication. The heat pump’s software communicates with the Hybrid inverter via a standardised Modbus/TCP interface using the Sunspec protocol. This ensures that the available output of the PV system is matched with the power required by the heat pump, allowing the available electricity to be utilised optimally.

The demands on solar energy generation and storage are growing. The aim is to generate and use as much renewable electricity as possible – this protects the environment and saves costs. And the higher the level of self-consumption of self-generated electricity, the greater the degree of self-sufficiency.

This is precisely why so many system operators rely on high-quality solar modules and an intelligently controlled, highly efficient hybrid inverter or battery inverter. The strengths of the Hybrid inverter from KOSTAL are clear: it converts solar energy into usable electricity and stores surplus solar energy in a battery. This means that available electricity reserves can be accessed even during periods of low sunshine or at times of peak demand.
To ensure high energy generation, it is also possible to connect several Hybrid inverters from KOSTAL in a network, thereby maximising output and yield.

Smart connections – this is a top priority for KOSTAL Solar Electric. This is now evident in the compatibility between KOSTAL’s PLENTICORE inverters and the RESU FLEX battery storage systems from LG Energy Solution (LGES; KRX: 373220).

As demands for self-sufficient energy supply from renewable sources with a high degree of flexibility continue to rise, the main challenge for the KOSTAL-LGES system lies in achieving efficient performance. The KOSTAL PLENTICORE plus and PLENTICORE BI inverters, together with LGES storage systems, form a modern tandem for greater independence in solar energy generation. The RESU FLEX high-voltage NMC battery offers a usable storage capacity of 8.6 kWh to 17.2 kWh.

The PLENTICORE and the H1 or H2 series (both IP55) from Pylontech form a flexible and efficient combination for storing solar energy. With its modular storage solution, Pylontech offers the option of upgrading the battery storage system at a later date. The voltage range varies between 144 and 384 volts depending on the model. The charging and discharging current is 13 amps. High energy demand in the morning and evening is balanced by the storage system using the peak solar energy production around midday, thereby smoothing out peaks and enabling grid-stabilising effects through feed-in.

Greater safety thanks to rapid shutdown in the event of a system malfunction or during a fire service operation

The TS4 components can be integrated via the wireless interfaces CCA (Cloud Connect Advanced), TAP (TIGO Access Point) or RSS transmitters into a controlling TIGO Energy Intelligence platform, which centrally evaluates the status of the TS4 modules. This delivers two key benefits: the system status of the individual solar modules is continuously monitored, and the system can also be manually shut down, for example during a fire service operation.

In addition to cloud-based monitoring of the system, the use of TIGO is also recommended where fire safety measures are required.

Here, users benefit from TIGO and KOSTAL monitoring via digital platforms such as the KOSTAL Solar Portal and TIGO Cloud Connect, which are available free of charge.

System owners and PV planners are in agreement when it comes to KOSTAL inverters in combination with energy storage systems, electric vehicles, heat pumps and an energy management system that also supports smart home applications perfectly: KOSTAL Solar Electric ranks among the best-in-class companies in this field – among both installers and system operators.

KOSTAL is therefore well known among end customers and installers alike, and is also in high demand and frequently recommended. This once again underlines KOSTAL’s outstanding performance against the competition: the focus is not only on product quality, efficiency and service, but the brand also embodies a holistic, system-wide approach in a unique way.

The PLENTICORE plus, as a hybrid inverter, has three connections, one of which can be used as a battery input and the other two as PV inputs.

Any surplus solar energy is temporarily stored in the battery and can be used at a later time. This measurement data is recorded by the KOSTAL Smart Energy Meter. The PLENTICORE plus handles battery management based on this measurement data. Once the battery is fully charged, surplus solar power is fed into the public grid.

A high-voltage battery from leading manufacturers such as BYD, BMZ or Nilar can be connected directly during installation and activated using an activation code.

The PLENTICORE plus hybrid inverter can store electricity from solar panels as well as process energy from other connected AC sources, such as a wind turbine or an existing solar installation.

If you already generate electricity from an AC energy source, you can expand this system with the PLENTICORE plus hybrid inverter and a battery. An AC energy source could be, for example, a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, a micro-CHP plant, a wind turbine or an existing solar installation. This allows you to generate sustainable electricity and store it for later use, thereby increasing your self-consumption.

In addition to the potential savings on electricity costs, photovoltaic systems with efficient storage systems also contribute to climate protection. After all, the reduction in CO2 emissions depends largely on the efficiency of the system.

By maximising the use of self-generated solar power and avoiding conventional electricity from fossil fuel generation, highly efficient PV storage systems can thus demonstrate CO2 savings compared to a PV system without battery storage.