Fronius Primo 5.0-1 Int Inverter Review | Premium but worth it.

Find out whether the Fronius Primo 5.0-1 Int Inverter is right for you. We look in-depth into the company, pros & cons, and suitability

Fronius is a market leader providing top-notch technology dedicated to renewable energy sources. The company started in 1945 and derives its connection from Austria. It currently represents 28 countries with representatives in 60+ countries. It is a technology leader dedicated to innovation. The company follows the goal of sustainability via innovation, quality, & first-rate services.

The Primo 5.0-1 inverter houses a hinge-based mounting system that makes it light in weight. This ensures a streamlined system installation that is possible within 15 minutes. This industry-leading design comes with:

  • Seamless monitoring
  • AFCI
  • Data logging
  • Mobile monitoring
  • Web monitoring

This machine is ready for future standards and codes. The Primo 5.0-1 is a communicative machine for owner & occupiers. The diverse nature of the manufacturer also has stability and strength. Further, it imparts healthy & sustainable growth.

Fronius products undergo strenuous tests under stringent conditions.

What are the main features of Fronius Primo 5.0-1 Inverter?

With the Fronius Primo 5.0-1 Inverter, you get access to some amazing features such as:

  • Smart Grid Ready
  • Integrated Data Communication
  • Zero Feed-In
  • SnapInverter Technology
  • Dynamic Peak Manager
  • Ethernet/WLAN DC-Circuit Breaker & LAN (Including Display)
  • Protection Category: IP 65
  • Euro Efficiency about 97.1 percent
  • Nominal Power: 5000 W AC
  • DC Voltage Power: 1000 V
  • 2 Year basic warranty followed by 5-year post-registration warranty
  • 20-year optional warranty

Discussing the SnapInverter Technology

The Fronius Primo 5.0-1 inverter comes with futuristic yet simple SnapInverter technology. This is a standardized inverter mounting system that makes maintenance and installation easy. A unique feature that makes this design special is the separate connection section. 

The inverter’s back portion is separate from the one above where all the electrical elements are fitted. A complete dismounting for Fronius isn’t necessary. This can be evidently seen in the video above. 

This is followed by the power set stage. Fronius’s innovative hinge system ensures that installation & servicing is innovative. You can place your inverter in a wall bracket & secure the same. You also don’t have to remove your inverter completely during servicing. Removing its power stage can work. This ensures the cabling is in place.

What is Fronius Primo’s Integrated Data Communication Technology?

Fronius offers a completely integrated data logging for communication package. It uses interfaces like:

  • Ethernet
  • Web server
  • WLAN
  • Energy management

This inverter brings you an ideal PV system’s operation overview. The technology provides 3rd party connectivity to interfaces like:

  • Modbus TCP SunSpec
  • Fronius Solar API
  • Modbus RTU SunSpec

Fronius’ open interfaces also allow parallel operation with Fronius’s Solar.web platform.

Is Fronius Primo 5.0-1 a flexible design?

Fronius 5.0-1 is a combination of high-performing attributes making it simple & flexible. 

In terms of flexibility, the inverter design is easy to dismantle for maintenance, installations, or repairs. Additionally, it is light in weight to ensure portability for the users. 

The inverter also comes with an internet monitoring system to allow the users to track the solar data from anywhere.

For the inverter, there are 2 key performance metrics known as the MPP trackers. These metrics work in combination with a high voltage system & a wide range of input voltage for DC power.

MPP or Maximum Power Point Trackers helps maximize power extraction under varying weather conditions. They also optimize the match between the inverter and the solar panels for maximum power generation. 

Even with nominal inverter output, Fronius can generate maximum power for the end-customers. In case the panel roof orientations are misaligned and do not receive maximum sunlight, the flexible inverter design allows effective power usage from the existing sunlight exposure.

What is the Dynamic Peak Manager?

Fronius’ Dynamic Peak Manager (DPM) is the latest MPP tracking dynamic algorithm. It adapts to the energy usage behavior. The machine also allows you to focus on the system’s optimal operating dynamics. This inverter’s special attribute is its peak manager. It checks characteristic curves of the solar power input on a regular basis. It also helps find the GMPP or Global Maximum Power Point in the partial shade.  This means you can easily track the average power being produced by your inverter by tracking the maximum input and minimum input ratio. 

Is the Fronius Primo 5.0-1 Smart Grid Ready?

The Smart Grid Technology allows a two-way communication between the customers and the utility service provider. This two-way tracking feature allows the customers to track or detect any changes to the energy production. Smart Grid inverters also have self-healing features in case of errors. 

Fronius is a design for the future. This is why it is an ideal choice for users that need smart grid-ready designs. These inverters adhere to the future grid’s technical requirements. The device also has futuristic functions like Advanced Solar Grid Features.

These include a series of varying control functions ensuring best reactive power feed-in. This aids in the effectiveness. Further, these functions also ensure grid operational stability with a high-density PV system. Further, it prevents any unwanted interruptions in the feed.

What is Zero Feed-In?

Zero feed-in is a technology where a power meter installed in the building helps determine its effective power load. The users can set a limit for the maximum power load. This helps avoid any overloading issues to the power grid. 

Grid operations today make use of the feed-in limit for the PV power input. This happens even before a particular system establishes a connection with the grid. The Dynamic grid power reduction feature helps with the management of feed-in power.

The inverter also supplies its household consumers with energy. Hence it reduces the system output for efficiency. This helps inverters adhere to the greatest set energy limit. With the zero feed-in features, no power flows to the grid. The operator can function with no overload.

How does Fronius Primo incorporate active cooling?

Fronius 5.0-1’s active cooling feature relies on the presence of more than one fan. This helps avoid any random inverter hot spots. Further, the active cooling feature helps regulate the air within the inverter. It also helps keep the power electronics temperature low.

This ensures that the devices last for a lifetime with optimized yield & reduced costs. Fronius manufacturer provides the active cooling features as a standard for all devices.

Fronius Primo 5.01 Int Technical Data

Input Data

Total MPP Trackers (Numbers)2
Module Array or Maximum Short Circuit Current27/27 A
Maximum Input Current18/18 A
Voltage Range (Input-DC)80 to 1000 V
Input Voltage (Nominal)710 V
Feed-in Initial Voltage80 V
Voltage Range (MPP)240 to 800 V
DC Connections (Total)2 + 2
Maximum Photovoltaic Generator Power7.5 kWpeak

 Output Data

Nominal AC Output4600 W
Maximum Output Power5000 VA
Output Power (AC)21.7 A
Voltage Range (AC)180-270 V
Grid Connection1~NPE 220/230 V
Frequency50/60 Hz
Power Factor0.85-1 ind/cap

 General Data

Weight (Kilograms)21,5 kg
Width431 mm
Protection Class1
Protection DegreeIP 65
AC/DC Overvoltage Category2-Mar
Inverter Design TypeTransformerless
InstallationOutdoors and Indoors
CoolingRegulated
Ambient Temperature-40oC to +55oC
Humidity Permitted0 to 100 percent
Maximum Altitude4.000 m
Connection Tech4x DC+ & 4x DC
 & Screw Terminals of 2.5-16 mm2
AC Connection Tech3-Pin AC Screw Terminals 2.5 to 16 mm2
Compliance and CertificatesDIN V VDE 0126-1-1/A1
 IEC 62116
 IEC 62109-1/-2
 IEC 61727
 AS 4777-3
 AS 4777-2
 G59/3
 G83/2
 CEI 0-21
 VDE AR N 4105

 Protection Devices

Overload BehaviorPower Limitation, Shift in Operating Point
Insulation Measurement (DC)Yes
Disconnector (DC)Yes

Fronius Primo Comparison (Primo 5.0-1 vs. Primo 6.0-1 vs. Primo 8.2-1)

FeaturePrimo 5.0-1Primo 6.0-1Primo 8.2-1
MPP Trackers222
Maximum Input Current12.0 A/ 12.0 A18.0 A/ 18.0 A18.0 A/ 18.0 A
Maximum DC Connections2+22+22+2
Maximum PV Output7.5 kWpeak9.0 kWpeak12.3kWpeak
Dimensions645 X 431 X 204 mm645 X 431 X 204 mm645 X 431 X 204 mm
Weight21.5kg21.5kg21.5kg
Protection DegreeIP 65IP 65IP 65
Protection Class111
Inverter DesignTransformerlessTransformerlessTransformerless

FAQs

Is your Fronius Primo 5.0-1 Battery Ready?

The latest Fronius model, Primo 5.0-1, is a single-phase inverter that isn’t battery-ready. The company is planning for a better device in the future with a battery-ready feature.

Battery-ready in simple terms means that your inverter is ready for the future needs. In case you need to generate more power, the installer can add additional batteries to the device. This might not be possible with Fronius Primo as of now. 

How is Fronius Primo different from Fronius SYMO?

The Primo series by Fronius has all the necessary features with a versatile 5kW design. The Symo is a tad restrictive. These restrictions do not come into play when using the 10kW Symo variant. The Primo works best with Solar.Web variant and its Smart Meter feature are cherries on the top.

Is the Fronius Primo inverter noisy?

The Fronius Primo 5.0-1 can be a bit noisy during peak production hours. This is because of the fan that is present in the model for cooling purposes. Noises can go as high as 55 decibels during peak hours. So, make sure you keep the inverter in a section far away from the place where you spend most of your time at.

How to read the Fronius Smart Meter?

The Smart Meter by Fronius comes with a bidirectional meter. It optimizes self-consumption while recording the load curve of the household. The Smart Meter is easy to read with accurate measurements & rapid communication technology. It uses the RTU Modbus Interface.

The dynamic feed-in regulatory feature implements fast with higher accuracy.

Conclusion

Fronius’s advanced design enables grid stability with the highest solar power density. It also prevents any shutdown of the system if the grid parameter exceeds thresholds. Each inverter by Fronius is a best-in-class option that also helps with arc detection. It ensures the utmost safety for the users. It is also a cost-effective solution for the end-users.


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