Compact hybrid backup, hardened against EMP: Sol-Ark 8K
Why You'll Love The Sol-Ark 8K-48-ST-EMPKIT
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Resilience most inverters don't offer. The included EMP hardening kit is designed to protect your system against electromagnetic pulses, solar flares and lightning strikes — guarding the most expensive box in your setup against the events you can't control.
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8kW of real hybrid power. It runs grid-tied, off-grid or as backup, delivering 8,000W of continuous 120/240V power with a 16,000VA surge to start the motors and appliances that matter.
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You'll barely notice the grid go down. A 4ms transfer time means the switch to battery power happens faster than your lights can flicker.
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Your choice of batteries, charged quickly. A 185A charger works with lithium or lead-acid 48V banks from 50Ah to 9,900Ah, with 3-stage charging and equalization.
Your life, with the Sol-Ark 8K-48-ST-EMPKIT
Not every home needs a whole-home monster of an inverter. Plenty of setups — a right-sized house, a cabin, an off-grid build, an essential-loads backup — just need Sol-Ark's engineering in a smaller, more affordable package. With the protection built in.
That's the 8K-48-ST-EMPKIT. It delivers 8,000W of continuous 120/240V power, manages solar, battery, grid and generator together, and hands over to battery in four milliseconds when the grid drops — all wrapped in an EMP hardening kit that comes standard.
Lightning is the everyday version of that risk, and it damages solar electronics somewhere every season. EMP events and solar flares sit further out, but the consequence is the same: your inverter gone, and your home back on the grid's terms. This unit is built for people who would rather not find out the hard way.
One thing worth being straight about: the 8K has 63A of grid pass-through and doesn't parallel with additional units. It's built to back up essential loads and right-sized homes rather than a full 200A whole-home service. If you need to run everything at once, one of Sol-Ark's larger models is the better call — give us a shout and we'll point you at it.
Within that brief, there's real capability behind the compact footprint.
Two MPPTs take up to 11,000W of solar, and you can AC-couple a further 9,600W to fold in panels you already own. It talks to your batteries over CANBus and RS485 MODBUS, includes an external battery temperature sensor, and starts a generator automatically when needed. It's IP65 / NEMA 3R rated for indoor or outdoor mounting, runs under 30 dB, and carries a 10-year warranty with Wi-Fi and LAN monitoring included.
The Sol-Ark 8K-48-ST-EMPKIT in a nutshell:
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EMP hardening kit included — designed to guard against electromagnetic pulses, solar flares and lightning strikes.
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8kW output, 16kVA surge, 4ms transfer — dependable backup for essential loads and right-sized homes.
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Up to 11kW PV plus 9,600W AC coupling — plenty of solar headroom for a new array or a retrofit.
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185A charger on 48V, lithium or lead-acid — your choice of battery, charged quickly.
Sol-Ark 8K-48-ST-EMPKIT specifications
Model / SKU
Sol-Ark-8K-48-ST (base inverter 8K-2P) with EMP hardening kit
Max Allowed PV Power (STC)
11,000W
MPPT Voltage Range
150 – 500V (rated operating range 175 – 425V)
Startup Voltage / Max Input Voltage
125V / 500V
MPP Trackers & Strings
2 trackers, 2 PV strings per MPPT
Max Operating Input Current per MPPT
18A (self-limiting)
Max AC Coupled Input
9,600W
Nominal AC Voltage
120/240V, 120/208V, 220V — 50/60Hz
Real Power, Max Continuous
8,000W (33A max output current)
Peak Apparent Power (off-grid)
16,000VA for 10s / 25,000VA for 100ms @ 240V
Max Grid Pass-Through Current
63A
Power Factor Output Range
+/- 0.9 adjustable
Backup Transfer Time
4 ms
Efficiency
97.5% max / 96.5% CEC
Design
Transformerless DC — single unit (not stackable)
Battery Technologies
Lithium / lead acid — 48V nominal (43 – 63V operating range)
Battery Capacity
50 – 9,900Ah
Max Battery Charge / Discharge Current
185A
Charging Controller
3-stage with equalization — 96.0% grid-to-battery charging efficiency
Battery Monitoring & Generator
External battery temperature sensor included; integrated 2-wire Automatic Generator Start (AGS)
BMS Communication
CANBus & RS485 MODBUS
Protection
Integrated PV DC disconnect, ground fault detection, rapid shutdown control, arc fault detection, PV lightning protection, reverse polarity protection, 63A AC output breaker, 250A battery breaker/disconnect; DC Type II / AC Type II surge protection
Certifications
UL1741-2010/2018, UL1741SB, IEEE1547a 2003/2014, FCC 15 Class B, CA Rule 21, HECO Rule 14H
Enclosure & Environment
IP65 / NEMA 3R — -25 to 55°C (derating above 45°C), under 30 dB at 25°C, 60W no-load idle consumption
Monitoring
Wi-Fi & LAN hardware included
Dimensions (H × W × D)
750 × 450 × 254 mm (29.5 × 17.7 × 10 in)
Weight
35.4 kg / 78 lbs
Warranty
10 years
Let the experts help you find your perfect hybrid inverter
Not sure whether the Sol-Ark 8K-48-ST-EMPKIT is the right size for your loads, or whether you need a larger model? We're here to help you make that call before you buy.
Chat via Email — support@kratopower.com
Chat on the Phone — +1 (888) 855-7286
Sol-Ark 8K-48-ST-EMPKIT documents and materials
Disclaimer: EMP hardening is designed to provide additional protection against electromagnetic pulses, solar flares and lightning strikes, but no protective system can guarantee against damage in all circumstances.
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and should not be taken as professional, electrical or medical advice. The Sol-Ark 8K-48-ST-EMPKIT is a high-voltage, grid-interconnected product weighing 78 lbs, and must be installed by a qualified, licensed electrician in line with the manufacturer's installation manual and your local codes; grid-tied and generator-connected use may also require permits and utility approval. This unit has 63A grid pass-through, does not parallel with additional units, and is intended for essential-loads and right-sized backup rather than a full 200A whole-home service. Every situation is different, so if you have any doubt, please consult a qualified professional before purchasing or installing. Products are used at your own risk.
