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172-21 vs 180-21 17 of 20 identical Swap Change inverters

SMA Solar Sunny Highpower PEAK3 SHP 172-21 vs SMA Solar Sunny Highpower PEAK3 SHP 180-21

SMA Solar Sunny Highpower PEAK3 SHP 172-21
SMA Solar
Sunny Highpower PEAK3 SHP 172-21
172 kW 98.9 % euro Grid-tie
Open inverter page Datasheet PDF
VS
SMA Solar Sunny Highpower PEAK3 SHP 180-21
SMA Solar
Sunny Highpower PEAK3 SHP 180-21
180 kW 98.9 % euro Grid-tie
Open inverter page Datasheet PDF
The verdict

3 differences, none of them an advantage

The largest is rated ac power: 8.00 kW apart. 17 of 20 comparable parameters are identical, with 12 more left out because at least one datasheet does not publish them.

See all 3 differences
How alike are they
17 of 20 comparable
parameters are identical
identical differs not published
01

What actually differs

3 of 20 parameters
Parameter 172-21 180-21 Difference
Rated AC power 172.00 kW 180.00 kW 8.00 kW apart
Max AC power 172.00 kW 180.00 kW 8.00 kW apart
Max PV power 344.00 kW 360.00 kW 16.00 kW apart
02

Full specification

Parameter 172-21 180-21 Difference
AC output
Rated AC power 172.00 kW 180.00 kW 8.00 kW apart
Max AC power 172.00 kW 180.00 kW 8.00 kW apart
Grid connection 3-phase 3-phase Same
Nominal AC voltage - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Max AC current 151.0 A 151.0 A Same
PV input
Max PV power 344.00 kW 360.00 kW 16.00 kW apart
DC/AC ratio 2.00 2.00 Same
Max DC voltage 1500 V 1500 V Same
MPPT voltage range - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Start voltage - - Neither datasheet publishes this
MPP trackers 1 1 Same
Strings per tracker - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Max input current per tracker 180.0 A 180.0 A Same
Efficiency
European efficiency 98.9 % 98.9 % Same
Max efficiency 99.2 % 99.2 % Same
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 99.0 kg 99.0 kg Same
Weight per kW 0.6 kg/kW 0.6 kg/kW Same
Dimensions 830x770x462 mm 830x770x462 mm Same
Ingress protection IP65 IP65 Same
Cooling forced-air forced-air Same
Noise 69 dB 69 dB Same
Max operating temperature 60 °C 60 °C Same
Connectivity and safety
Wi-Fi - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Ethernet Yes Yes Same
Arc fault protection - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Integrated DC switch - - Neither datasheet publishes this
Warranty
Warranty 5 yrs 5 yrs Same
03

More useful comparisons

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SMA Solar Sunny Highpower PEAK3 SHP 172-21 vs Huawei SUN2000-185KTL-H1
9 differences, the largest is rated ac power
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SMA Solar Sunny Highpower PEAK3 SHP 172-21 vs SMA Solar Sunny Highpower Storage SHPS 180-21
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SMA Solar Sunny Highpower PEAK3 SHP 180-21 vs Growatt MAX 180KTL3-X MV
10 differences, the largest is mpp trackers
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Growatt
SMA Solar Sunny Highpower PEAK3 SHP 180-21 vs Growatt MAX 185KTL3-X HV
9 differences, the largest is rated ac power
04

Written summary

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