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Primo 12.5-1 vs Symo 12.5-3 480 13 of 19 identical Swap Change inverters

Fronius Primo 12.5-1 vs Fronius Symo 12.5-3 480

Fronius Primo 12.5-1
Fronius International
Fronius Primo 12.5-1
12.5 kW Grid-tie
Open inverter page Datasheet PDF
VS
Fronius Symo 12.5-3 480
Fronius International
Fronius Symo 12.5-3 480
12.495 kW Grid-tie
Open inverter page Datasheet PDF
The verdict

Symo 12.5-3 480 leads on the differences that matter

The largest is max efficiency: 1.4 pp more efficient. 13 of 19 comparable parameters are identical, with 13 more left out because at least one datasheet does not publish them.

See all 6 differences
How alike are they
13 of 19 comparable
parameters are identical
identical differs not published
01

What actually differs

6 of 19 parameters
Parameter Primo 12.5-1 Symo 12.5-3 480 Difference
Max efficiency 96.7 % 98.1 % 1.4 pp more efficient
Weight 37.4 kg 35.5 kg 1.9 kg lighter
CEC efficiency 96.5 % 97.0 % 0.5 pp more efficient
Grid connection Single-phase 3-phase Single-phase vs 3-phase
Max AC current 52.1 A 15.0 A 37.1 A apart
Start voltage 80 V 200 V 120 V earlier start
02

Full specification

Parameter Primo 12.5-1 Symo 12.5-3 480 Difference
AC output
Rated AC power 12.50 kW 12.49 kW Effectively the same
Max AC power 12.50 kW 12.49 kW Effectively the same
Grid connection Single-phase 3-phase Single-phase vs 3-phase
Nominal AC voltage 240 V - Not published by Fronius International
Max AC current 52.1 A 15.0 A 37.1 A apart
PV input
Max PV power - - Neither datasheet publishes this
DC/AC ratio - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Max DC voltage 1000 V 1000 V Same
MPPT voltage range 200-800 V - Not published by Fronius International
Start voltage 80 V 200 V -120 V for Primo 12.5-1
MPP trackers 2 - Not published by Fronius International
Strings per tracker - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Max input current per tracker 33.0 A - Not published by Fronius International
Efficiency
European efficiency - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Max efficiency 96.7 % 98.1 % +1.4 pp for Symo 12.5-3 480
CEC efficiency 96.5 % 97.0 % +0.5 pp for Symo 12.5-3 480
Battery
Battery input - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Battery voltage - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Max charge current - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Backup power - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Physical
Weight 37.4 kg 35.5 kg -1.9 kg for Symo 12.5-3 480
Weight per kW 3.0 kg/kW 2.8 kg/kW Effectively the same
Dimensions 724x511x226 mm 724x511x226 mm Same
Ingress protection NEMA 4X NEMA 4X Same
Cooling forced-air forced-air Same
Noise - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Max operating temperature 60 °C 60 °C Same
Connectivity and safety
Wi-Fi Yes Yes Same
Ethernet Yes Yes Same
Arc fault protection Yes Yes Same
Integrated DC switch Yes Yes Same
Warranty
Warranty 10 yrs 10 yrs Same
03

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04

Written summary

Every figure here is from the manufacturers' own datasheets - a dash means the value is not published, never an estimate.