KOSTAL PLENTICORE G3 8.5 vs SMA Sunny Tripower Smart Energy 8.0
AC power: KOSTAL PLENTICORE G3 8.5 8.5 kW, SMA Sunny Tripower Smart Energy 8.0 8 kW. The KOSTAL PLENTICORE G3 8.5 is better on 7 of 14 comparable points.
Who wins where
- KOSTAL PLENTICORE G3 8.5
- SMA Sunny Tripower Smart Energy 8.0
Biggest differences
| Fact | PLENTICORE G3 8.5 | Sunny Tripower Smart Energy 8.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 10 years | 5 years |
| MPPT voltage min. | 170 V | 330 V |
| MPP trackers | 3 | 2 |
| Max. input current per MPPT | 17 A | 12.5 A |
| Weight | 22.3 kg | 30 kg |
| Noise | 39 dB(A) | 30 dB(A) |
Score per area = position (0–100) relative to all 238 models in this category; higher is better.
| Technical specifications | KOSTALPLENTICORE G3 8.5 | SMASunny Tripower Smart Energy 8.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| AC power | 8.5 kW ✓ 1 | 8 kW 2 |
| Max. PV array power | 12.75 kWp ✓ 1 | 12 kWp 2 |
| MPP trackers | 3 ✓ 1 | 2 2 |
| Efficiency | ||
| Max. efficiency | 98.14 % 1 | 98.2 % ✓ 2 |
| European efficiency | 97.49 % 1 | 97.8 % ✓ 2 |
| Noise | ||
| Noise | 39 dB(A) 1 | 30 dB(A) ✓ 2 |
| Electrical | ||
| MPPT voltage min. | 170 V ✓ 1 | 330 V 2 |
| MPPT voltage max. | 800 V 1 | 800 V 2 |
| Max. input current per MPPT | 17 A ✓ 1 | 12.5 A 2 |
| Phases | 3 1 | 3 2 |
| Connectivity & smart | ||
| Hybrid (battery-ready) | Yes 1 | Yes 2 |
| Backup power | Yes 1 | Yes 2 |
| Wi-Fi / monitoring | Yes 1 | Yes 2 |
| Dimensions & weight | ||
| IP rating | – | IP65 2 |
| Width | 409 mm 1 | 500 mm 2 |
| Height | 561 mm 1 | 598 mm 2 |
| Depth | 237 mm 1 | 173 mm 2 |
| Weight | 22.3 kg ✓ 1 | 30 kg 2 |
| Warranty & lifespan | ||
| Warranty | 10 years ✓ 1 | 5 years 2 |
Sources
- PLENTICORE Hybrid inverter - G3 4.0-20 kW, 09 / 2025 — KOSTAL Industrie Elektrik GmbH · accessed 29 Sept 2026
- Sunny Tripower 5.0 / 6.0 / 8.0 / 10.0 Smart Energy – datasheet, STPxx-3SE-40-DS-en-22 (status 07/2025) — SMA Solar Technology AG · accessed 27 Sept 2026