Essential home backup, done affordably: Sol-Ark Essentials 12K-2P
Why You'll Love The Sol-Ark Essentials 12K-2P Hybrid Inverter
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Sol-Ark engineering at an accessible price. The Essentials 12K-2P brings grid-tied, off-grid and battery-backup capability together in one unit, giving you the brand's proven hybrid platform without the flagship price tag.
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Backup that switches before you notice. A 4ms transfer time and 16,000VA of surge mean the changeover to battery happens faster than your lights can flicker, with the muscle to start motors and appliances.
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Plenty of solar headroom. It takes up to 12,000W of usable PV across two MPPTs, plus 9,600W of AC coupling — so you can oversize an array or fold in panels you already own.
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Room to grow. Stack up to nine units in parallel as your energy needs expand, all backed by Sol-Ark's standard 10-year warranty.
Your life, with the Sol-Ark Essentials 12K-2P Hybrid Inverter
Most people don't need to back up every last circuit in the house. They need the essentials covered — the fridge, the furnace blower, the well pump, the lights, the office — without paying for capability they'll never use.
That's exactly what the Essentials 12K-2P is built for. It delivers 9,000W of continuous 120/240V power, manages solar, battery, grid and generator together, and hands over to battery in four milliseconds when the grid drops. The essentials simply keep running.
On ordinary days it works on your bill — banking solar, leaning on your batteries, and pulling from the grid only when it makes sense.
One thing worth being straight about: the Essentials has 63A of grid pass-through, so it's designed to back up essential loads and right-sized homes rather than a full 200A whole-home service. If you want every circuit live at once, Sol-Ark's larger models are the better fit — just ask and we'll point you at the right one.
Within that brief, it's genuinely capable — and it scales.
Two MPPTs accept up to 12,000W of solar with a 500V ceiling, and you can AC-couple another 9,600W. A 185A charger keeps your 48V lithium bank topped up with 3-stage charging and equalization, and an integrated generator start handles a backup source automatically. When your needs grow, you simply add more units — up to nine in parallel.
It's IP65 / NEMA 3R rated for indoor or outdoor mounting, runs under 30 dB, and comes with Wi-Fi and LAN monitoring so you can keep an eye on everything from your phone.
The Sol-Ark Essentials 12K-2P Hybrid Inverter in a nutshell:
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9kW continuous output, 16kVA surge, 4ms transfer — dependable backup for essential loads and right-sized homes.
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Up to 12kW PV across 2 MPPTs plus 9,600W AC coupling — solar headroom for new arrays and retrofits.
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185A charger on a 48V lithium bank — fast charging with 3-stage control and equalization.
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Stackable up to 9 units — start where your budget is and expand later.
Sol-Ark Essentials 12K-2P Hybrid Inverter specifications
Model / SKU
Essentials 12K-2P (12K-2P-N)
Max Usable PV Power
12,000W (max allowed PV power 13,000W)
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
20A (self-limiting)
Max AC Coupled Input
9,600W
Nominal AC Voltage
120/240V, 120/208V, 220V — 50/60Hz
Real Power, Max Continuous
9,000W (37.5A 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 — stackable up to 9 units in parallel
Battery Technology
Lithium — 48V nominal (43 – 63V operating range)
Battery Capacity
50 – 9,900Ah
Max Battery Charge / Discharge Current
185A
Battery Disconnecting Means
250A / single pole
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
UL 1741 SB, UL 1741 SA, UL 1741 CRD-PCS, IEEE 1547.1-2020, UL 1699B, UL 1998, FCC Part 15 Class B, CSIP, CA Rule 21, HECO Rule 14H (SRD 2.0), CSA C22.2 107.1-16
Enclosure & Environment
IP65 / NEMA 3R — -25 to 55°C (derating above 45°C), operating altitude 2,000 m (6,561 ft), 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 Essentials 12K-2P covers your loads, or whether you need a larger whole-home model? We're here to help you get that decision right before you buy.
Chat via Email — support@kratopower.com
Chat on the Phone — +1 (888) 855-7286
Sol-Ark Essentials 12K-2P Hybrid Inverter documents and materials
Disclaimer: 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 Essentials 12K-2P 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 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.
