Zendure SolarFlow solar kit that demystifies self-consumption
Producing your own electricity at home is no longer an unattainable dream. With the Zendure SolarFlow , solar energy is finally entering a new era: one of simplicity, autonomy, and above all, practicality. This new generation solar kit stands out for its ease of installation , its ultra-complete design and its ability to adapt to the real needs of French households .
Gone are the preconceived ideas that switching to solar energy would require heavy work, complex administrative procedures or the intervention of expensive professionals. We tested the Zendure SolarFlow in real conditions , and our verdict is unequivocal: this intelligent system has everything it takes to revolutionize residential self-consumption , even for the uninitiated.
Whether you are a complete novice or already aware of energy issues , this kit has been designed to support you at every stage of your transition to clean, sustainable and economical energy . Compact, modular, connected , it allows you to produce, store and consume your own electricity , simply and independently.
Ready to dive into the world of modern self-consumption? Let's discover together what the Zendure SolarFlow panel really has in its panel.
Table of Contents
At the heart of the system: connectivity and energy conversion
Once the solar panels are installed and correctly oriented, the next step is to connect the various components of the system. And this is where the Zendure SolarFlow kit truly shines. Its technical design is based on a simple, intuitive, and comprehensive architecture, designed for uncomplicated home use.
The microinverter: the brain of the installation
The central element of the system, the micro-inverter converts the direct current produced by the panels into 220-240 V alternating current, perfectly compatible with residential electrical installations in France. This small, compact and IP67-certified box can be used outdoors without fear, even in cases of high humidity or bad weather.
The Zendure kit's microinverter can manage the power of one to two solar panels. It transfers this power directly to the home network via a standard AC outlet. A built-in Wi-Fi antenna also allows the device to connect to your home network so you can track electricity production and consumption in real time via the dedicated mobile app.
Installation is very simple: the "plus" and "minus" cables from the solar panels are connected to the microinverter using MC4 connectors . The latter is then connected to a standard wall outlet. Once powered up and exposed to the sun, the panels immediately begin producing energy, without any advanced technical configuration.
The Hub and the battery: optimizing your energy production
When your production exceeds your immediate consumption, the Zendure system allows you to store the excess using a central hub and a modular battery.
The hub, designed to centralize all connections, receives the solar panel input on one side, the microinverter on the other, and finally the battery. This system intelligently distributes the energy produced: it is either injected into your home network or stored in a battery for later use.
The battery included in the kit, the AB1000 model , offers a capacity of 960 Wh . This capacity corresponds to approximately one hour of autonomy for a large television or several hours for smaller devices. For those who want increased autonomy, the system allows the addition of several stackable batteries, up to four units, bringing the total capacity to 3840 Wh.
The absence of traditional ports (USB, 230 V, etc.) on the battery is not an oversight, but a conscious technical choice. By removing these elements, Zendure was able to design a lighter, more waterproof battery, and perfectly suited to outdoor installation. It is resistant to splashes, humidity, and temperature variations, making it a reliable product for all seasons.
Simple connectivity, clear indicator lights
All necessary cables are included in the kit , including extension cables that compensate for the sometimes limited length of standard solar cables. Assembly between the panels, hub, inverter, and battery is quick and easy, without any special tools. Indicator lights on the hub and microinverter allow you to check that the system is working properly. A green light indicates normal operation, while flashing Wi-Fi means that the network connection has yet to be finalized, which is completely normal at this stage.
In just a few minutes, the entire system is ready to go. It produces, stores, and powers your home with solar electricity, with an efficiency and simplicity that makes self-consumption finally accessible to everyone.
The Zendure app: your production dashboard
The experience offered by the Zendure solar kit isn't limited to the hardware. It's intelligently extended through a well-designed mobile app, a true control center for your solar installation. Once the station is connected to the Wi-Fi network, the app gives you access to a clear graphical interface, structured around a real-time diagram. This allows you to visualize instantaneous solar production, energy distribution between the battery and direct consumption, as well as the state of charge.
The interface stands out for its readability. At a glance, you can monitor the performance of your panels, identify production peaks, check the battery charge, or even estimate the remaining autonomy. During our tests, we recorded production peaks reaching 704 W with two connected panels, a particularly satisfactory performance for an autumn day. Beyond immediate visualization, the application offers a complete history: daily, weekly, monthly, and annual production. This history is a valuable tool for tracking the evolution of your self-consumption and adapting your usage over time.
Smart and customizable energy management
The Zendure solar kit doesn't just provide data. It offers several energy management modes, allowing you to adapt the system's behavior to your consumption profile. These features help optimize the use of the energy produced, especially if you have a peak/off-peak contract or specific needs depending on the time of day.
The "Energy Plan" mode allows you to define priority time slots. For example, you can schedule an accelerated battery recharge between noon and 2 p.m., when solar production is at its peak. This stored energy can then be used in the evening, when energy demand is higher. In our tests, a battery could reach a full charge in just 1.5 hours under optimal sunlight conditions.
Appointment mode allows you to finely control the amount of energy sent to your home at different times of the day. For example, you can decide to inject 800W during the day to power teleworking equipment, then reduce this power to 200W in the evening. This mode offers an interesting alternative to the system's default behavior, which systematically sends a minimum of 100W to the home even if the battery has priority.
Bypass mode takes over when the battery is full. Until the charge reaches 100%, the system simultaneously powers the house and the battery. Once the battery is charged, all production is redirected to direct consumption. This mode maximizes the use of every watt produced without wasting any energy.
Smart Association mode works in conjunction with Zendure smart plugs. These plugs measure the actual consumption of the devices they're connected to and transmit this data to the app. The system then automatically adjusts the amount of energy injected, taking into account your actual needs. It's also possible to manually customize these settings if you want to maintain control.
The "Smart CT" mode , which we haven't yet been able to test, relies on the use of a smart current sensor. This device measures the overall consumption of your home and allows the system to dynamically adjust the distribution of solar energy. This approach offers even more precise control, especially in the context of multi-device management or a more complex electrical configuration.
The app also includes advanced battery protection settings. For example, you can limit the maximum charge to 90 or 95%, or set a minimum discharge to 10 or 11%, to optimize the lifespan of LiFePO₄ cells.
Finally, it's worth noting that Zendure is not the manufacturer of the microinverters included in the Zendure solar kit . These typically come from third-party partners like Omiles. This provides some flexibility: you can, if you wish, opt for a microinverter of a different brand or with a different power, depending on your needs or the configuration of your panels.
Profitability: a promising investment with the Zendure solar kit
Profitability is a key criterion when considering investing in a solar kit. In France, solar energy production varies greatly by region, with a gap of approximately 30% between the North and the South. An indicative map shows annual production ranging from 800 to 1000 kWh in the North, up to 1200 to 1400 kWh in the Mediterranean region.
For a 400 Wp solar panel, the average annual production ranges from 360 kWh in the North to 560 kWh in the South. It is important to remember that an 800 Wp kit (peak power) does not mean a continuous production of 800 W, but the maximum power under optimal conditions.
Let’s do the math to better understand:
In the North (360 kWh per panel): with two panels, or 720 kWh per year, and an average electricity cost of €0.23/kWh, the savings made are approximately €165.6 per year.
In the South (560 kWh per panel): with two panels, or 1120 kWh per year, the savings rise to around €257.6 per year.
The Zendure solar kit adapts to different budgets and needs. For example, a kit consisting of a microinverter and four 200W flexible panels (for a total of 800Wp) costs around €699. Here's what that means in terms of return on investment (ROI):
Northern France : approximately 4 years and 5 months.
South of France : approximately 2 years and 6 to 7 months.
If you choose the more complete kit, including the Hub and the 1 kWh storage battery, the initial cost is higher, and profitability is affected:
Northern France : around 10 and a half years.
South of France : approximately 6 and a half years.
These figures do not yet include the major advantage of the battery supplied with the Zendure solar kit : it allows you to store excess energy produced during the day in order to consume it in the evening, thus avoiding waste and optimizing your savings.
Furthermore, these estimates do not take into account the expected rise in electricity prices in France. For comparison, a kWh costs around €0.40 in Germany, compared to €0.23 in France, which suggests that EDF prices will continue to rise. Therefore, investing in a solar system with storage like the Zendure solar kit is a smart strategy to protect yourself against future increases in energy costs.
Simplified installation: Quick and easy assembly.
Complete and scalable kit: Add batteries for more autonomy.
Connectivity, waterproof: Micro-inverter and IP67 battery, ideal for outdoor use.
Intuitive application: Clear diagrams, advanced energy management.
Fast profitability: Investment optimized with increasing electricity prices.
Flexibility: Compatibility with other brands of microinverters.
Application: Less precise control of energy distribution.
Cost with battery: Longer profitability, but justified.
Comparison with the competition and conclusion
We compared the Zendure SolarFlow solar kit to a competing model, the Anker kit, installed under similar conditions to ensure a fair assessment. The performance of the two systems is very close, with a slight advantage for the Zendure solar kit.
On a typical day, the Zendure solar kit produced 1.877 kWh, compared to 1.65 kWh for the Anker kit. This difference confirms that, despite possible variations in the brands of microinverters or panels used, energy production remains generally competitive between the two solutions.
Thus, the final choice between these solar kits will be made primarily based on the price offered and the features offered by the management application. The Zendure solar kit stands out in particular for its more comprehensive user interface and more sophisticated energy management modes, which can make the difference for a user wishing to optimize their self-consumption.
In summary, the Zendure solar kit combines performance, ease of installation and energy intelligence, making it a very serious option for anyone who wants to switch to solar self-consumption without complications.
Conclusion
The Zendure SolarFlow solar kit stands out as a powerful yet affordable solar self-consumption solution. Its ease of installation, significant modularity, and intuitive app make it an ideal choice for those looking to reduce their dependence on fluctuating electricity prices.
Performance is excellent, delivering reliable production even under varying conditions. While the app could benefit from more refined settings for even more personalized management, it remains a powerful tool for tracking and optimizing your energy production.
Whether you choose the basic kit, geared towards rapid profitability, or the complete version with storage battery for increased autonomy, the Zendure SolarFlow solar kit represents a relevant and sustainable investment, perfectly suited to French households looking for greener and more controlled energy.
Our best articles on solar energy
Allpowers R2500: a credible alternative to the electrical grid? Faced with rising electricity costs
Sunology plug and play kits are increasingly becoming a practical solution
Discover the results of the autopsy of a solar battery. We shed light on the mechanisms of
We all find ourselves facing the same problem one day: a power outage.
Whether it's outdoor adventures, recreational vehicles, or home emergency, the
In recent years, producing your own electricity has become accessible even to individuals.