SMA Sunny Tripower 6.0 kW Three-Phase Inverter 2 MPPT
6 kW three-phase SMA Sunny Tripower string inverter, 2 independent MPPTs, generator up to 9 kWp and just 17 kg: it can be installed by one person.
Maximum efficiency 98,2%, IP65 for outdoor use, SMA ShadeFix shading management and free SMA Smart Connected monitoring. Below 11,08 kW, the external interface panel required by CEI 0-21 is not needed.
The SMA Sunny Tripower STP6.0-3AV-40 inverter is a 6 kW three-phase transformerless string photovoltaic inverter, with 2 independent MPPTs and an array of up to 9 kWp. It weighs 17 kg, the lightest in its category, and can be wall-mounted without lifting equipment or a second person: it is the classic choice for residential systems on three-phase supplies, villas, professional offices and small businesses.
Below 11,08 kW: no interface panel required
With 6 kW of rated power, the system remains below the 11,08 kW threshold of CEI 0-21. This is the difference that has the greatest impact on the quote: the interface protection integrated into the inverter is sufficient, and the external panel with SPI relay, dedicated interface device and test report, which becomes mandatory for larger sizes, is not required. Only the standard protections on the AC and DC sides need to be provided. The inverter is CEI 0-21 certified, and the SMA compliance documentation is what accompanies the grid connection application to the distributor.
STP6.0-3AV-40 technical specifications
| Rated AC power (230 V, 50 Hz) | 6.000 W |
| Rated / maximum apparent power | 6.000 VA / 6.000 VA |
| Maximum PV array power | 9.000 Wp STC (DC/AC ratio 1,5) |
| Maximum input voltage | 850 V |
| MPPT range / rated voltage | 260-800 V / 580 V |
| Minimum / start-up voltage | 125 V / 175 V |
| Independent MPPTs / strings per MPPT | 2 / 1 |
| Usable current per input / short-circuit current | 12 A / 18 A |
| Rated / maximum output current | 3 x 8,7 A / 3 x 9,1 A |
| AC connection | Three-phase 3/N/PE, 220/380 - 230/400 - 240/415 V |
| Maximum / European efficiency | 98,2% / 97,6% |
| Standard protections | DC disconnector on input side, grid and ground fault monitoring, DC reverse polarity protection, all-current-sensitive RCMU, protection class I |
| Protection rating | IP65, climate class 4K4H |
| Operating temperature | -25 °C / +60 °C |
| Noise level / night-time consumption | 30 dB(A) typical / 5 W |
| Cooling | Natural convection, fanless |
| Connections | DC SUNCLIX, AC connector, WLAN, Ethernet, RS485, Modbus SMA and SunSpec, Webconnect |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) / weight | 435 x 470 x 176 mm / 17 kg |
| Warranty | 5 years, extendable to 10 with product registration on the SMA portal |
| Certifications | CEI 0-21, EN 50549-1, IEC 62109-1/-2, VDE-AR-N 4105, CE |
Pay attention to current and strings: the real limit
Each MPPT accepts only one string and a usable current of 12 A. This is the constraint that matters most today: many latest-generation TOPCon and back contact modules operate at 13-15 A at the maximum power point, so on this inverter they would be limited during peak irradiance hours. With high-current modules, it is better to choose half-cell formats with lower current, or consider a size from the X series. With traditional 10-11 A modules, the limit is not noticeable and the permitted 9 kWp can be achieved with two strings of about 9-10 modules each.
What you can do with it in everyday life
An 8 kWp system paired with this inverter produces, in Central Italy and with good exposure, around 10.000-11.000 kWh per year. A family of four typically consumes 3.500-4.500: the rest goes to the grid, unless consumption is shifted to sunny hours or a storage system is added. With 6 kW available, you can run the heat pump, washing machine and oven together during the day without drawing from the grid. However, one thing must be checked first: a three-phase meter is required. This inverter cannot be installed on a standard single-phase domestic supply of 3 or 6 kW, and a supply change must be requested from the distributor.
Monitoring and management
- SMA ShadeFix: intelligent tracking that searches every few minutes for the best operating point in the presence of partial shading
- SMA Smart Connected: free monitoring via Sunny Portal, with automatic fault notification to the owner and installer
- Commissioning from a smartphone or tablet via the integrated web interface, with no physical display to check on the wall
- With an SMA Energy Meter or a Sunny Home Manager 2.0, dynamic feed-in limitation and household load control can be added
Frequently asked questions
Can I install it if I have a single-phase meter?
No. It is a three-phase inverter and must be connected to a 3/N/PE three-phase supply. On a single-phase supply, the supply must first be changed through the distributor, or a single-phase inverter must be chosen, permitted in Italy up to 6 kW.
How many panels can I connect to the Sunny Tripower 6.0?
Up to 9.000 Wp, i.e. about 18-20 modules of 450-500 W, but on only two strings: one per MPPT. The two strings can have different orientations, not arbitrary lengths, and each must remain within 12 A usable current and 800 V MPP voltage.
Is the interface panel with SPI required?
No, not for this size. CEI 0-21 requires the external interface protection system with dedicated device and test report only above 11,08 kW. With 6 kW, the protection integrated into the inverter is sufficient for connection purposes.
What is the difference compared with the Sunny Tripower X series?
The X series has 3 MPPTs with 2 strings each, 24 A per tracker, the System Manager function to manage up to 5 inverters, and ArcFix arc-fault protection. The 6.0 is simpler and lighter, designed for residential use: 2 MPPTs, 1 string per MPPT and no system management function.
Is it noisy if I place it near a bedroom?
Very little: the typical noise level is 30 dB(A), and cooling is by natural convection, without fans. It is still preferable to install it in a garage, technical room or outdoors, both for heat dissipation and for accessibility in case of maintenance.
