The WHES Three-Phase Hybrid Inverter series, encompassing models from 5kW to 13kW, stands as a sophisticated and versatile core component for modern residential and light commercial energy systems. Marketed under the tagline "Small in Size, Big on Power," this product line is engineered to seamlessly integrate photovoltaic (PV) solar generation, battery energy storage, and grid interaction into a single, efficient unit. It is the central intelligence of the ECOS Smart Home ecosystem from WHES, designed to maximize self-consumption of renewable energy, ensure power resilience, and provide intelligent energy management. This series is ideal for properties with three-phase electrical supply seeking to achieve a high degree of energy independence and operational efficiency.
Core Functionality and Design Philosophy
A hybrid inverter serves a dual, critical role: it converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) for use by home appliances or for export to the grid, while simultaneously managing the charging and discharging cycle of a connected battery storage system. The WHES series excels in this role by prioritizing power density, flexibility, and smart grid interaction. Its compact physical footprint belies its substantial power handling capabilities, a design achievement that simplifies installation in space-constrained environments. The inverter's operation is governed by the proprietary EC OS, which enables advanced features like remote monitoring, system optimization, and integration into broader smart home and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) frameworks.
Technical Performance and Key Specifications
The series includes six primary models: WH-THA502 (5kW), WH-THA602 (6kW), WH-THA802 (8kW), WH-THA103 (10kW), WH-THA123 (12kW), and WH-THA133 (13kW). Their performance is characterized by several standout features:
- High PV Compatibility and Oversizing: A major strength is its exceptional compatibility with contemporary, high-power solar modules. Each PV input string supports a maximum current of 18A, making it fully compatible with 182mm and 210mm cell formats. The inverters support a Maximum PV Over-configuration of 1.67 times their rated power. For instance, the 10kW model (WH-THA103) can accept up to 15,000W of DC solar input. This oversizing capability is crucial for maximizing energy harvest during early morning, late afternoon, or cloudy conditions, ensuring the solar array produces at or near its full potential for more hours of the day. The ultra-wide MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) voltage range of 180-980V further enhances this, allowing for optimal string design to capture "every ray of light from dawn to dusk."
- Advanced Battery Management and Grid Interaction: The inverter is designed to work with high-voltage battery systems, supporting a battery voltage range of 160V to 600V. It facilitates efficient energy transfer with a maximum charge and discharge current of 25A. On the grid side, the series demonstrates flexible power handling. The "Max. Apparent Power from Grid" can be double the nominal output (e.g., 17.9kW for the 10kW model), allowing for powerful grid charging if needed. It features a configurable AC output power factor adjustable from -0.8 to +0.8, meaning it can provide reactive power support to help stabilize the local grid voltage—a valuable feature for grid services.
- Unparalleled Backup Power Performance (EPS): A critical feature for energy security is the Emergency Power Supply (EPS) functionality. The WHES hybrid inverter provides an ultra-fast EPS switching time of less than 10 milliseconds, ensuring a seamless transition to backup power that prevents any disruption to sensitive electronic equipment. The EPS output is robust, with a peak apparent power of up to 16kVA for 60 seconds to handle motor start surges from appliances like air conditioners or pumps. Remarkably, it supports up to 110% unbalanced output across the three phases, which greatly increases the practical self-consumption ratio of solar energy in a home where loads are rarely perfectly balanced, optimizing the use of every watt generated.
Product Advantages Categorized
The document summarizes the inverter's benefits under four key pillars: Powerful, Flexible, Efficient, and Friendly.
- Powerful: This is defined by its high 18A per-string input current compatibility with modern PV modules and the ultra-wide MPPT voltage range, ensuring maximum energy yield from the connected solar array under diverse conditions.
- Flexible: Flexibility is demonstrated in two major ways. First, the support for up to 110% three-phase unbalanced output maximizes self-consumption in real-world conditions. Second, the capability for up to 5 units to operate in parallel transforms this residential product into a scalable, cost-effective solution for larger commercial applications, offering a potential combined power output of up to 65kW.
- Efficient: The series boasts high conversion efficiencies, minimizing energy losses. Key metrics include a PV Europe efficiency of 97%, a battery charge efficiency (by PV) of up to 98.5%, and a battery discharge efficiency of 97.7%. These high efficiencies ensure that more of the captured solar energy is available for use, improving the overall economics of the system.
- Friendly: User and installer experience is paramount. The inverter operates at less than 25dB, making it exceptionally quiet and suitable for installation near living spaces without causing noise pollution. Its IP65 ingress protection rating allows for safe and reliable installation either indoors or outdoors, providing significant siting flexibility for the installer.
General Specifications and Compliance
Physically, the unit is compact with dimensions of approximately 510mm (W) * 205mm (D) * 480mm (H) and a net weight of around 30.5 kg. It operates reliably across a wide temperature range of -25°C to +60°C and at altitudes up to 3,000 meters. It employs natural convection cooling, eliminating fan noise. Communication with batteries and meters is via RS485 or CAN bus, and the user interface is provided through an LED display and a companion mobile APP. The inverter topology is non-isolated for high efficiency, and it includes comprehensive protection features (over/under voltage, DC isolation, reverse polarity, anti-islanding, etc.).
Critically for market access, the product series is designed and certified to comply with a comprehensive suite of international and regional standards, including IEC 62109, IEC 62040, AS/NZS 4777.2, EN 50549-1, VDE 4105, G99/98, and CEI 0-21, among others listed. This broad compliance facilitates its deployment in key markets across Europe, the UK, Australia, and beyond, providing assurance of safety, reliability, and grid compatibility to customers and regulators alike.
Conclusion
The WHES Three-Phase Hybrid Inverter series (5-13kW) is a technologically advanced, robust, and intelligent solution that sits at the heart of a modern prosumer energy system. It successfully bridges the gap between high-performance requirements and user-friendly operation. By offering exceptional PV compatibility with oversizing, ultra-fast and capable backup power, unique three-phase load flexibility, and high operational efficiencies—all packaged with quiet operation and outdoor durability—it empowers homeowners and businesses to take definitive control of their energy production, consumption, and security. As the cornerstone of the WHES ECOS ecosystem, it is more than an inverter; it is a future-proof platform for smart, sustainable, and resilient energy management.
