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STP8.0-3AV-40 vs SG8.0RT-20 8 of 20 identical Swap Change inverters

SMA Solar STP8.0-3AV-40 vs Sungrow SG8.0RT-20

SMA Solar STP8.0-3AV-40
SMA Solar
STP8.0-3AV-40
8 kW 97.7 % euro Grid-tie
Open inverter page Datasheet PDF
VS
Sungrow SG8.0RT-20
Sungrow
SG8.0RT-20
8 kW 98.0 % euro Grid-tie
Open inverter page Datasheet PDF
The verdict

SG8.0RT-20 leads on the differences that matter

The largest is max dc voltage: 100 V apart. 8 of 20 comparable parameters are identical, with 12 more left out because at least one datasheet does not publish them.

See all 12 differences
How alike are they
8 of 20 comparable
parameters are identical
identical differs not published
01

What actually differs

12 of 20 parameters
Parameter STP8.0-3AV-40 SG8.0RT-20 Difference
Max DC voltage 1000 V 1100 V 100 V apart
Max input current per tracker 20.0 A 25.0 A 5.0 A more headroom
Weight 20.5 kg 17.0 kg 3.5 kg lighter
European efficiency 97.7 % 98.0 % 0.3 pp more efficient
Weight per kW 2.6 kg/kW 2.1 kg/kW 0.4 kg/kW lighter
Nominal AC voltage 230 V 400 V 170 V apart
Max efficiency 98.3 % 98.5 % 0.2 pp more efficient
Max AC current 12.1 A 13.3 A 1.2 A apart
MPPT voltage range 260-800 V 160-1000 V 260-800 V vs 160-1000 V
Strings per tracker 2 1 1 string apart
Dimensions 497x460x176 mm 480x370x195 mm 497x460x176 mm vs 480x370x195 mm
Cooling natural forced-air natural vs forced-air
02

Full specification

Parameter STP8.0-3AV-40 SG8.0RT-20 Difference
AC output
Rated AC power 8.00 kW 8.00 kW Same
Max AC power 8.00 kW 8.00 kW Same
Grid connection 3-phase 3-phase Same
Nominal AC voltage 230 V 400 V 170 V apart
Max AC current 12.1 A 13.3 A 1.2 A apart
PV input
Max PV power 15.00 kW - Not published by Sungrow
DC/AC ratio 1.88 - Not published by Sungrow
Max DC voltage 1000 V 1100 V 100 V apart
MPPT voltage range 260-800 V 160-1000 V 260-800 V vs 160-1000 V
Start voltage 175 V 180 V Effectively the same
MPP trackers 2 2 Same
Strings per tracker 2 1 1 string apart
Max input current per tracker 20.0 A 25.0 A +5.0 A for SG8.0RT-20
Efficiency
European efficiency 97.7 % 98.0 % +0.3 pp for SG8.0RT-20
Max efficiency 98.3 % 98.5 % +0.2 pp for SG8.0RT-20
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 20.5 kg 17.0 kg -3.5 kg for SG8.0RT-20
Weight per kW 2.6 kg/kW 2.1 kg/kW -0.4 kg/kW for SG8.0RT-20
Dimensions 497x460x176 mm 480x370x195 mm 497x460x176 mm vs 480x370x195 mm
Ingress protection IP65 IP65 Same
Cooling natural forced-air natural vs forced-air
Noise 30 dB - Not published by Sungrow
Max operating temperature 60 °C 60 °C Same
Connectivity and safety
Wi-Fi Yes - Not published by Sungrow
Ethernet Yes - Not published by Sungrow
Arc fault protection - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Integrated DC switch Yes Yes Same
Warranty
Warranty 5 yrs - Not published by Sungrow
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.