Overview of GoodWe – Company History
Jiangsu GoodWe Power Supply Technology Co Ltd, founded in 2010 in Suzhou, China, quickly made a mark in the solar energy industry. Just two years later, in 2012, they expanded to Australia, opening a Melbourne office. GoodWe excels in creating inverters for various applications, including residential, commercial, and energy storage, offering a wide range from 0.7kW to 250kW.
GoodWe’s impressive growth saw it expanding its reach internationally, with over 1200 employees in 15 countries by 2019. That year, GoodWe achieved a global distribution of its inverters to over 100 countries, contributing significantly to a 15GW PV installation capacity worldwide.
2019 was particularly monumental for GoodWe. They were recognized as the top storage hybrid inverter supplier and ranked in the top 5 for single-phase string inverters globally by Wood Mackenzie, a leading energy research firm. The following year, 2020, marked further accolades. GoodWe received the Top Brand PV seal in Australia from EUPD Research for the second consecutive year. Additionally, in February 2020, GoodWe made history as the first non-European inverter manufacturer to earn the VDE-AR-N 4110-2018 certificate from TÜV Rheinland Industrie Service. This success was topped off with their listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in September 2020.
GoodWe’s industry excellence led to a pivotal partnership with General Electric (GE), who awarded them an exclusive licensing contract for global sales, solidifying GoodWe’s position as a solar inverter industry leader.
A Brief Rundown on GoodWe Inverters
A solar system’s inverter converts the DC electricity from solar panels into AC electricity compatible with the grid. There are typically two types of inverters used: string inverters and micro-inverters.
String inverters (such as most of GoodWe’s product range) have traditionally been the standard in the solar industry. They send the power produced by solar panels to a central inverter that changes it from DC electricity to the usable AC electricity that powers homes. Goodwe also specialises in hybrid string inverters which provide the ability to charge a battery as well as use solar power immediately as its created.
Micro-inverters, generally a more expensive solution, provide a small inverter for each solar panel that is installed. This means that each panel operates individually which creates more visibility over performance and can offer some advantages in partly shaded conditions.
GoodWe Inverters Review – Points of Difference
Range of Hybrid Inverter Options
GoodWe offers the market’s broadest range of storage inverters. Their lineup includes single-phase low-voltage hybrid solutions (ES, EM), single-phase AC coupled retrofit solutions (SBP), single-phase high-voltage hybrids (EH), and three-phase high-voltage hybrids (ET). This variety makes GoodWe an ideal choice for installations requiring hybrid inverters or for those planning future battery installations.
Multiple MPP Trackers
Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPTs) determine how many roof orientations a string inverter can handle. Panels on the same MPPT with different tilts will perform as well as the least efficient panel, affecting daily output. GoodWe inverters, offering more MPPTs than competitors across various sizes, are a popular choice. Their MS series is the only single-phase inverter with 3 MPPTs in the Australian market. This makes GoodWe MS ideal for installing panels on multiple orientations, like North, West, and East sides of a house, without resorting to costlier micro-inverter or power optimiser solutions.
DC Oversizing
DC oversizing means installing solar panels with greater capacity than the inverter’s output potential. While it may appear to waste power, considering efficiency losses and the fact that solar panels rarely reach their maximum wattage, oversizing by 33% is cost-effective and allowed by the Clean Energy Council’s guidelines. Oversizing beyond 33% benefits those with a battery, as it enables storing excess DC energy.
Goodwe’s Inverter Range
| The XS Series is GoodWe’s smallest available inverter about the size of an A4 piece of paper and only weighs 5.2kg. It’s a Single-Phase string inverter with 1 MPPT available in sizes ranging from 0.7-3kW. It offers 33% DC oversizing and up to a max efficiency of 97.6%. |  |
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The DNS Series is one of Goodwe’s most popular models with residential customers as their most cost effective option for 6kW systems. The single phase inverter has options rated from 3kW to 5kW and features a maximum efficiency of 97.8%. The inverter has 2 MPPTs and has a quiet operation with its fanless design. |
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The EH Series from GoodWe stands out for its exceptional capacity and broad MPPT voltage range, enhanced by a 33% DC oversizing capability. This series is unique in GoodWe’s portfolio as it’s exclusively designed for residential use and is their only Hybrid Inverter range. |
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| The MS Series is GoodWe’s industry-leading 3 MPPT’s single-phase model available in 5-10kW sizes. It is a small but powerful inverter, weighing up to 22.5kg and offering as much as 100% DC oversizing. |  |
| The MT Series is focused on commercial applications with 3-phase models up to 80kW in capacity. These inverters feature 4 MPPTs and can oversize DC input by as much as 50%. |  |
How Much Does GoodWe Inverter’s Cost?
GoodWe inverters are manufactured in China and have reached a significant scale of production meaning they can offer cost-effective prices.
Indicative pricing
| GoodWe Inverter Model | Indicative Price Range |
| GoodWe XS Series 3KW Inverter | $500 to $600 |
| GoodWe DNS Series 5KW Inverter | $600 to $800 |
| GoodWe MS Series 10kW Inverter | $1,250 to $1,400 |
Remember, inverter costs usually account for only 10-20% of your total system expense. Therefore, investing in a high-quality inverter is often worthwhile for significantly enhancing the efficiency and performance of your Solar Power project.
Compare quotes from up to 7 installers in your area now.
How does Goodwe’s efficiency rank?
An important aspect of getting the most value out of a solar inverter is choosing an appropriately sized inverter to optimise the solar panel system efficiency. To read about the importance of inverter sizing and system efficiency click here.
Residential inverter efficiency standards are generally 95 to 98 per cent, GoodWe inverters meet these standards. The least efficient GoodWe inverter is the NS Series 1kW which still records a 96.5% max efficiency. Asides from this one inverter all GoodWe inverters have at least 97% max efficiency.
Several GoodWe models have over a 98% max efficiency, one of these models is the SDT Series 10kW. This Three-Phase Dual-MPTT string inverter has a 98.3% max efficiency, making it one of the industry’s more efficient inverters.
GoodWe’s Warranty Offer for Australian Customers
In Australia, all CEC-approved GoodWe inverters come with a standard 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. For the DNS and MS series, Goodwe offers an additional 5 years where they will replace the ‘parts-only’. In years 5 to 10 the customers would receive the replacement parts for free, but would still be required to pay for delivery, all labour costs and any taxes/duties.
In 2019 Goodwe launched an online warranty extension service. Customers can conveniently extend their warranty periods up to 25 years depending on the model of the inverter, simply by entering the serial number via their online portal and following the prompts. This needs to be done within 6 months for inverters above 25kW in capacity and within 2 years if below 25kW in capacity
The Limitations of Goodwe’s Inverters
GoodWe inverters underperform compared to micro-inverters or power optimisers in partially shaded conditions. If your roof has shading from trees on the North, East, or West sides, it’s advisable to weigh the pros and cons of alternatives with Solar Choice.
GoodWe’s 5-year full warranty, while competitive, is shorter than many newer 10-year warranties offered by growing Chinese companies in Australia. However, the true value of a warranty depends on the issuing company’s credibility and the ease of the claim process. In these aspects, GoodWe stands out as a promising option.
A Full Range of GoodWe Inverters Available in Australia
The majority of GoodWe’s Inverters are approved by the Clean Energy Council for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which is Australia’s home solar rebate program.
The following GoodWe Inverter Series & sizes are CEC approved:
- GoodWe XS Series 0.7-3kW
- GoodWe DNS Series 3-5kW
- GoodWe EH Series 3.6-6kW
- GoodWe SDT Series 5-10, 15 & (DT) 20kW
- GoodWe SDT G2 Series 4-6kW
- GoodWe MS Series 5-10kW
- Goodwe SMT Series 25-36 kw
- Goodwe MT Series 50-80 kw
- Storage Inverters including ES, EM, SBP, EH, ET series
Goodwe Solar Inverters Pros and Cons
Pros
- Goodwe have one of the biggest ranges of inverters including hybrid options catering to almost every possible installation type
- Goodwe’s MS series features 3 MPPTs which makes them ideal for installations where panels are being installed on 3 different orientations
- Over 10 years trading history in the Australian market
Cons
- The 5 years full warranty with an additional 5 years ‘parts only’ is not as beneficial as a full 10 year warranty which is offered by some other solar inverter manufacturers
Comparison of Common Residential GoodWe Inverters
| GoodWe XS Series 3kW | GoodWe DNS Series 5kW | GoodWe MS Series 10kW | |
| Rated AC Power Output | 3,000W | 4,999W | 10,000W |
| Maximum Continuous Output Current | 14.3A | 21.7A | 45.5A |
| Maximum DC Power | 3,900W | 6,650W | 13,500W |
| Number of MPPTs | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Maximum Inverter Efficiency | 97.6% | 97.8% | 97.7% |
| Dimensions | 295 x 230 x 113 mm | 354 x 433 x 147 mm | 511 x 415 x 175 mm |
| Weight | 5.8kg | 13kg | 22.5kg |
| Warranty | 5 Years | 5 Years | 5 Years |
| Operational Temperature Range | -25°C to 60°C | -25°C to 60°C | -25°C to 60°C |
| Made in | China | China | China |
So, Should I Buy GoodWe inverters?
In some cases, GoodWe may be the only string inverter option that can be used for houses with multiple roof aspects.
Technically speaking, GoodWe’s inverters are able to offer similar characteristics to some of the premium options in the market.
We consider GoodWe to be one of the Chinese inverter manufacturers with a better reputation with a good history in the Australian residential solar market. Their inverters are price more competitively that the European or micro-inverter options so can offer some savings for customers looking to maximise value under a particular budget.
Example of a GoodWe Commercial Solar Project
In March 2020 the largest solar power plant in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil commenced operation. The plant is located on two campuses of the state’s largest university, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo (UFES).
The power plant will generate approximately 7.7 million kWh of electricity a year. This will reduce the largest campus’s electricity consumption by almost 50% and reduce the university’s total power consumption by 30%. Due to the system’s size, the initial investment will be paid back in less than 5 years.
The inverters used in this power plant system are from the GoodWe MT Series. This commercial inverter is ideal for large-scale roof and power plants. The MT Series comes in 50-80kW sizes, it is a three-phase string inverter with 4 MPPT’s that can achieve a max efficiency of 98.8%.
Read more product reviews from Solar Choice
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Reviews from Australians who have installed Goodwe Inverters
I’m happy with the inverter and the app monitoring
No idea, I still don't have a working system
I was looking a a Fronius, but actually dropped back to a Goodwe as it basically did what the Fronius would do (within reason, with 3 mppt functionality nearly getting to the Fronius level efficiency), but at a fraction of the price. I did this because I wanted batteries in the future. I could go something like the BYD modular system OR I heard the Powerwall 3 was coming and I that it would be combined inverter AND battery. So If I rip and replace... I would lose a lot less (If it is economically viable). I just didn't want to wait longer for panel instal. But the Goodwe seems to pull heaps of solar for now and I am happy!
Discreet, tidy look to final installation, seems to work well
So far so good. Working well at this stage.
Review left 3 years after system installed
Wasted Investment: "Choosing GoodWe has been one of the worst investments I’ve made. I’m stuck with a system that doesn’t deliver the savings or performance I was promised, and I regret not going with a more reputable brand.
As above hasn’t been up long enough to comment on it yet
NO issues so far (not incredibly ugly to look at) and WiFi app / system is working well
Inverter functions as planned. Monitoring platform pretty basic, only looks at generation so not really that helpful (would be good if it reported against consumption also)
The inverter and the app gives us all the information we need
Having hiccups with the monitoring could be our internet as it is WIFI. Drops in and out
Seems to run OK. Comms hookup a bit annoying.
It seems good except that I cannot monitor the output on my iPhone.
very easy to monitor output. it is performing as expected.
So far the app and monitoring are going great
App very informative. Took me a bit to work out but watched a YouTube clip with a good explanation.
Yes, we are happy with the Goodwe inverter. The monitoring app works well enough for what you need.
My wifi doesn't seem to be strong enough for the inverter to connect and the app to work. Nexa have been helpful but I think I need to call the app people, as suggested. In saying that, I am not tech savvy, so it could be just me.
I have become aware that the inverter is not compatible with batteries if I decide to get them in time. This is hear say and apologies if its incorrect.
Review left 2 years after system installed
Inverter is performing as advertised. No problems at this stage (touch wood). App not being used at this stage
