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SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5) vs GW1500-SS 10 of 22 identical Swap Change inverters

SMA Solar SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5) vs GoodWe GW1500-SS

SMA Solar SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5)
SMA Solar
SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5)
1.5 kW 96.1 % euro Grid-tie
Open inverter page Datasheet PDF
VS
GoodWe
GW1500-SS
1.5 kW 97.4 % euro Grid-tie
Open inverter page Datasheet PDF
The verdict

12 differences, and they point both ways

The largest is european efficiency: 1.3 pp more efficient. 10 of 22 comparable parameters are identical, with 10 more left out because at least one datasheet does not publish them.

See all 12 differences
How alike are they
10 of 22 comparable
parameters are identical
identical differs not published
01

What actually differs

12 of 22 parameters
Parameter SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5) GW1500-SS Difference
European efficiency 96.1 % 97.4 % 1.3 pp more efficient
Max DC voltage 600 V 500 V 100 V apart
Max efficiency 97.2 % 97.8 % 0.6 pp more efficient
Max PV power 3.00 kW 1.80 kW 1.20 kW apart
DC/AC ratio 2.00 1.20 0.80 more oversizing headroom
Weight 9.2 kg 12.0 kg 2.8 kg lighter
Weight per kW 6.1 kg/kW 8.0 kg/kW 1.9 kg/kW lighter
Max AC power 1.50 kW 1.65 kW 0.15 kW apart
Start voltage 80 V 125 V 45 V earlier start
Max AC current 7.0 A 8.0 A 1.0 A apart
MPPT voltage range 160-500 V 125-450 V 160-500 V vs 125-450 V
Dimensions 357x460x122 mm 332x370x148 mm 357x460x122 mm vs 332x370x148 mm
02

Full specification

Parameter SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5) GW1500-SS Difference
AC output
Rated AC power 1.50 kW 1.50 kW Same
Max AC power 1.50 kW 1.65 kW 0.15 kW apart
Grid connection Single-phase Single-phase Same
Nominal AC voltage 230 V 230 V Same
Max AC current 7.0 A 8.0 A 1.0 A apart
PV input
Max PV power 3.00 kW 1.80 kW 1.20 kW apart
DC/AC ratio 2.00 1.20 +0.80 for SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5)
Max DC voltage 600 V 500 V 100 V apart
MPPT voltage range 160-500 V 125-450 V 160-500 V vs 125-450 V
Start voltage 80 V 125 V -45 V for SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5)
MPP trackers 1 1 Same
Strings per tracker 1 - Not published by GoodWe
Max input current per tracker 10.0 A - Not published by GoodWe
Efficiency
European efficiency 96.1 % 97.4 % +1.3 pp for GW1500-SS
Max efficiency 97.2 % 97.8 % +0.6 pp for GW1500-SS
CEC efficiency - - Neither datasheet publishes this
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 9.2 kg 12.0 kg -2.8 kg for SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5)
Weight per kW 6.1 kg/kW 8.0 kg/kW -1.9 kg/kW for SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5)
Dimensions 357x460x122 mm 332x370x148 mm 357x460x122 mm vs 332x370x148 mm
Ingress protection IP65 IP65 Same
Cooling natural natural Same
Noise 25 dB 25 dB Same
Max operating temperature 60 °C 60 °C Same
Connectivity and safety
Wi-Fi Yes - Not published by GoodWe
Ethernet Yes - Not published by GoodWe
Arc fault protection - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Integrated DC switch Yes Yes Same
Warranty
Warranty 5 yrs 5 yrs Same
03

More useful comparisons

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SMA Solar SB1.5-1VL-40 (Sunny Boy 1.5) vs Growatt MIC 1500TL-X2
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GoodWe
GoodWe GW1500-SS vs GoodWe GW1500-XS
8 differences, the largest is european efficiency
04

Written summary

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