Sofar Solar Tri 8 kW Hybrid Inverter – ESI-8K-T1

The Sofar Solar ESI-8K-T1: the three-phase hybrid inverter for large residential and commercial installations

The Sofar Solar ESI-8K-T1 is the 8,000 W three-phase hybrid inverter from the ESI range. It is designed for homes of 120 m² and above, as well as professionals and small businesses wishing to generate, store and manage their solar energy in three-phase. Its key features: 3 independent MPPT trackers supporting up to 16 kWp of panels, fully passive cooling (no fans) and IP66 protection — the highest level of protection against dust and water splashes.

What this inverter actually does

• It converts the energy from your solar panels into three-phase 380/400/415V AC electricity with a maximum efficiency of 98% and 3 independent MPPT trackers to optimise each string separately
• It stores surplus energy in Sofar BTS 5K lithium batteries (high-voltage LiFePO4, 350–435 V) for use in the evening, at night or in the event of a grid outage
• It secures your power supply with a switchover to backup power in under 10 ms — imperceptible to your electronic devices and household appliances
• It monitors your installation in real time via the SolarMan Smart app (iOS / Android), with built-in Wi-Fi at no extra cost
• It feeds surplus energy back into the grid if your contract allows

With 20 to 30 solar panels (8 to 16 kWp) and a Sofar BTS storage system of 10 to 20 kWh, a house of 120 to 200 m² or a small business can achieve 65 to 80% self-consumption, representing an estimated saving of between €1,000 and €2,000 per year depending on consumption patterns.

3 independent MPPTs: maximise the output of every section of your roof

Each of the 3 MPPTs operates completely independently. If your panels are spread across multiple orientations (south, east, west) or if some are partially shaded, the ESI-8K-T1 optimises the output of each string separately — without a underperforming section affecting the others.

The MPPT voltage range of 160 to 950 V offers great flexibility in string design, with a maximum PV input current of 25 A per MPPT.

Passive cooling: zero noise, zero maintenance

The ESI-8K-T1 relies exclusively on natural convection to dissipate heat — no mechanical fans. Three key benefits:

• Silent operation: no fan noise during operation, even at full load
• Increased reliability: the absence of moving mechanical parts eliminates the main source of failure in inverters
• IP66 protection: can be installed outdoors, in an unheated plant room, in a garage or in a garden shed

Scalable storage: from 5 to 30.72 kWh

The ESI-8K-T1 is exclusively compatible with Sofar BTS 5K lithium batteries (LiFePO4, 5.12 kWh per module, 400 V high voltage). Between 1 and 6 modules can be connected in parallel:

• 1 module (5.12 kWh): basic backup, small household
• 2–3 modules (10–15 kWh): full family home
• 4–6 modules (20–30 kWh): large house, small business or high consumption

⚠️ Important: the inverter operates without a battery in direct self-consumption mode. In the event of a grid outage without a battery connected, it shuts down (standard anti-islanding protection). Storage can be added after installation.

Monitoring: SolarMan Smart

Wi-Fi is built into the inverter — no additional dongle is required for basic monitoring. The SolarMan Smart app (iOS / Android) allows you to:

• View real-time production, consumption and battery status
• Check your daily, monthly and annual savings
• Diagnose faults remotely
• Manage multiple installations from a single account

Additional connectivity options: LAN (wired), RS485 / CAN (battery and meter communication), optional 4G for sites without Wi-Fi.

Installation

Installation must be carried out by a qualified electrician. Key points:

• Weight: 30 kg — two people are required for wall mounting
• Dimensions: 708 × 440 × 170 mm
• IP66 protection — suitable for outdoor installation or in unprotected indoor locations
• Passive cooling, silent operation
• PV start-up voltage: 200 V — power generation possible from the first hours of daylight
• Operates without a battery immediately upon installation
• RS485 and CAN compatible for communication with meters and batteries

SolarMan Smart

SofarSolar is redefining the future of energy with smart inverters. Equipped with advanced monitoring features, our inverters come with a WiFi Stick as standard, paving the way for seamless connectivity. Choose your path to efficiency with options such as Ethernet, GPRS or LTE dongles. Transform every installation into a digital symphony, where solar power becomes a connected, smart and sustainable experience. SofarSolar, your partner for smarter and brighter energy.

Apple Store - Solarman Smart

Android - Google Play - Solarman Smart

Setup steps:

1. After launching the app, register as a new user or enter your current SOLARMAN login details.
2. Create a new system and enter the system data.
3. Scan the barcode on the logger stick to assign an inverter to the system.
4. Go to the newly created system to configure the logger stick (device/logger).
5. Press the button on the WiFi dongle for 1 second to activate the dongle’s WPS mode so that the smartphone can connect to the WiFi dongle.
6. Now select your local WiFi network for internet access and enter your WiFi password.
7. The WiFi dongle is now configured with the access details.

The future of energy in your home

The Sofar Solar ESI-8K-T1 is more than just an inverter: it is the heart of your energy self-sufficiency. With its 8 kW output, scalable storage and responsiveness, it ensures your home is always powered, more economical and more environmentally friendly.