MidNite Solar E-Panel Review

The MidNite Solar E-Panel is a quick and easy way to install an OutBack or Magnum inverter for your home or cabin. It comes standard with the basic over-current protection and disconnects required to install your renewable energy system safely, quickly and to NEC Code. It can also expand to grow as your needs arise.

The picture at right shows an OutBack inverter mounted on an E-Panel. OutBack and Magnum inverters mount on a unique hinged door to keep the footprint of the system as small as possible. Mounting brackets are included to aid in one person installations.

When the pre-wired MidNite E-Panels first came out late in 2005, the choices were easy. You were limited to an OutBack inverter and all you had to do was to pick the correct breaker size. Midnite Solar managed to accommodate many dealer and installer requests, but along with these enhancements come additional choices.

The enclosure of the Outback version is only 9.5 inches wide and 25 inches tall. It's main features are small size and low cost. The picture to the right doesn’t show it, but the insides have undergone a radical change in the form of individual AC busbars rather than the single AC block. This change allows up to 14 connections per circuit rather than only 5.

Another configuration to this series is the availability of an aluminum enclosure vs. the standard steel unit. Steel units are powder coated gray and the aluminum is white. The white aluminum E-Panels are used in places like Hawaii or Maine or wherever salt air is a factor. Aluminum E-Panels also weigh 9 pounds less than the gray steel versions. Some customers just like the look of white, so order aluminum just for that reason.

These E-Panels comes standard with the AC bypass and AC input disconnect pre-wired, din rails for 6 additional 13mm wide AC or DC breakers, battery breaker installed with plus and minus cables for the inverter, 500 amp/50mV shunt, battery plus busbar, battery minus busbar, AC busbars, ground busbar, DC cover, AC flex conduit tubing with couplers, MX60/Classic mounting bracket, grommets and bushings, numerous knock outs for cable entry and exit, lots of hardware for mounting inverter, charge controller etc, wall mounting brackets, installation instructions, wiring diagram mounted on the door, and a tech support phone number. These work well, even at midnight if you use solar panels to charge your batteries during the day.