A Victron off-grid system uses solar panels to power your home and charge batteries, providing energy day and night. When solar is insufficient (e.g., during cloudy weather or winter), a backup generator automatically starts to supply power and recharge the batteries. This ensures reliable electricity, prevents battery overuse, and supports high-demand periods. A generator adds peace of mind, especially in regions with variable sunlight.

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Victron 5kva Inverter Charger with 3.2kw of Solar Power and 9.6kwh Lithium Battery. OG17

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Who's It For?

An off-grid power system is for those living or operating off-grid with no access to mains power. A Victron off-grid system is designed to supplement a generator to provide power more sustainably, store energy from the sun for later use and to offset fuel costs.

System Overview

Key Components in the System

Solar Panels:

  • These capture sunlight and convert it into electricity.
  • Solar energy powers your home and charges the batteries during the day.

Battery Bank:

  • Stores energy generated by the solar panels.
  • Supplies power at night or when solar production is low (e.g., cloudy days).

Victron Inverter/Charger:

  • Converts DC power from the batteries or solar panels into AC power used by household appliances.
  • Manages the charging of batteries from solar or the generator.

Generator:

  • A backup power source that kicks in when the solar panels can’t produce enough energy, and the batteries are depleted.
  • Provides additional power during prolonged cloudy weather, winter, or high energy demand.
  1. Victron Smart Controller:
  • Oversees the entire system, ensuring power flows efficiently between solar, batteries, and the generator.

How the System Works

Normal Operation:

  • During sunny days, solar panels generate power for immediate use and charge the batteries.
  • Excess solar energy is stored in the batteries for use during the night or when the sun isn’t shining.

When Solar Isn’t Enough:

  • On cloudy days or during winter, when solar production is low, the system uses stored battery power.
  1. Backup Generator:
  • If the batteries run low, the generator automatically starts (if enabled) to provide power and recharge the batteries.
  • Once the batteries are sufficiently charged, the generator turns off, and the system goes back to using solar.

Why a Generator is a Good Backup

Reliable Energy During Extended Cloudy Periods:

  • In regions like the UK, where sunlight hours can be very low in winter, a generator ensures you’re not left without power.

Covers Peak Loads:

  • If your energy demand suddenly spikes (e.g., using heavy appliances), the generator can provide the extra power without overloading the system.

Battery Longevity:

  • Running batteries down to very low levels frequently can shorten their lifespan. A generator prevents this by recharging the batteries when needed.

Peace of Mind:

  • It ensures you always have power, even during unforeseen circumstances like prolonged bad weather or high energy demand.
  1. Scalability:
  • If you add more devices or appliances in the future, the generator can compensate for increased energy needs until you upgrade your solar or battery system.
Which Version Do I Need?

The capacity of the Victron inverters (3kVA, 5kVA, 8kVA, 10kVA) determines the total load they can handle at a given time. Here’s a breakdown of the typical household or power requirements they might power, depending on the size of the inverter:

3kVA Inverter

Typical Applications:

  • Suitable for small households or basic setups.
  • Can power essential appliances:

Lights (10–15 LED lights)

Ceiling fans (3–5)

TV (1–2 units)

Refrigerator (1 medium-sized unit)

Laptop/PC (1–2 units)

  • Load Limitation: Cannot support high-load appliances like electric stoves, air conditioners, or water heaters simultaneously.
  • Total Load Capacity:
  • ~2400W (assuming an 80% efficiency and typical 220-240V supply).

5kVA Inverter

Typical Applications:

  • Suitable for medium-sized households.
  • Can power a mix of essentials and a few high-consumption devices:

Lights and fans (as above)

TV, refrigerator, and a single air conditioner or washing machine.

Kitchen appliances like a microwave or kettle (if not used simultaneously with other high-power devices).

  • Load Limitation: May struggle with simultaneous use of multiple heavy appliances.
  • Total Load Capacity:
  • ~4000W.

8kVA Inverter

Typical Applications:

  • Ideal for large households or small commercial setups.
  • Can power:

Multiple air conditioners (up to 2–3 units).

Refrigerator, lights, and fans.

Washing machine, microwave, and other kitchen appliances.

Entertainment systems and computers.

  • Load Limitation: Can handle most residential needs but not all heavy appliances simultaneously.
  • Total Load Capacity:
  • ~6400W.

10kVA Inverter

Typical Applications:

  • Suitable for large homes or offices with high power demands.
  • Can power almost all household appliances simultaneously:

Multiple air conditioners (3–5 units).

Refrigerators, freezers, and kitchen appliances.

Electric stoves, geysers, or water heaters.

Entertainment systems and home automation setups.

  • Load Limitation: Limited primarily by the battery bank or grid support.
  • Total Load Capacity:
  • ~8000W.
Product Details

Pre-Built Victron Energy Off-Grid Solar and Battery system. Victron Energy MultiPlus 5Kva Inverter Charger, 100Amp Transfer Switch, 70 Amp Battery Charger with 8 large  Q-Cell Mono Solar Panels 405w (3.25kw) The board is built and programmed at our facility here in Devon to include the Victron Cerbo GX and Touch Screen  for monitoring either by the screen or remotely ,Lynx Distributer and relevant Fusing, Slave Consumer Unit ,Isolation Switches, all relevant Cabling.

An Inverter/Charger with device networking built-in, the MultiPlus-II GX communicates with a solar charger, batteries, and other devices to control a grid-connected, off-grid, or remote power installation. Capable of parallel operation for increased power output, or battery charge-rates, the MultiPlus-II GX can also be configured for three-phase supply. A host of advanced features - such as uninterrupted power supply, setting load limits, and supplementing limited grid-power availability with battery power - can all be controlled straight from your phone or smart device. Remote monitoring is also possible.

The MultiPlus-II combines the functions of the MultiPlus and the MultiGrid.
It has all the features of the MultiPlus, plus an external current transformer option to implement PowerControl and PowerAssist and to optimize self-consumption with external current sensing (max. 32A).  It also has all the features of the MultiGrid with built-in anti-islanding and an increasingly long list of country approvals.

PowerAssist

The MultiPlus-II will prevent overload of a limited AC source, such as a generator or shore power connection. First, battery charging will automatically be reduced when otherwise an overload would occur. The second level will boost the output of a generator or shore side supply with power taken from the battery.

ESS: Energy Storage Systems

The MultiPlus-II is the key component in a Victron ESS system, providing the flexibility to combine with MPPT Solar Chargers or Grid-tie PV Inverters. For examples and more detailed information see the Victron Energy ESS (Energy Storage System) manual.

Uninterrupted AC power (UPS function)

In the event of a grid failure, or when shore or generator power is disconnected, the inverter within the Multi is automatically activated and takes over the supply to the connected loads. This happens so fast (less than 20 milliseconds) that computers and other electronic equipment will continue to operate without disruption.

Remote Monitoring and Control

Monitor and control your Multi and system or systems' locally (LAN) or remotely via the internet from anywhere in the world, using the free VRM app and free VRM portal website. Access can be from a phone, tablet, laptop or PC for multiple operating systems. There is no end to the level of control, via the required Color Control GX or Venus GX, from adjusting your Multi to auto starting a back generator and more...

LFeLi-4 8100TCAN (48V 100Ah) Battery 9.6kWh

Intra-system balancing
Flame retardant system to UL94V-0
Complete with Battery Management System built-in
Built-in automatic protection for over-charge, over-discharge & over-temperature conditions
Environmental Friendly, without any heavy metals
Easy installation, can be in 19-inch standard cabinet or be wall-mounted
Thousands of cycles, under normal conditions
High energy density and conversion efficiency
Good high temperature performance
Low self discharge rate of 2 years before required recharging
Safe Lithium Iron Phosphate Technology
Can use most standard VRLA chargers for this system
High cycle times and long service life

 

UD0323

Shipping & Collection

Tracked Delivery:

  • Free tracked delivery via Pallet on all pre-built boards.

Collection:

  • Free to collect from our warehouse.

Pre-Order:

  • All of our boards are made bespoke for the customer. This process usually takes 1-2 weeks to assemble the boards. We ask customers to allow a 3 week window from date of order.

Shipping Policy

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How Much Will I Generate?

See how much solar you could generate in the UK based on your selected configuration.

Built In-House

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Generator Fuel Savings Calculator

Running a solar & battery off-grid system can reduce generator usage by up to 93%. Calculate how much you could save per year by running an off-grid solar & battery system alongside your diesel generator. With an average 4 person household with a heat pump using 10,000 litres of diesel a year, you'll be surprised at how quickly a system can pay itself off.

Yearly Cost with Generator Only: £0

Yearly Cost with Generator and Solar: £0

Yearly Savings with Solar: £0

Payback Period for Solar System: 0 years