Solar Inverters

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Let’s begin by understanding what a solar inverter is. A solar inverter is a remarkable piece of technology that plays a pivotal role in the conversion of Direct Current electricity (DC electricity) generated by your PV (photovoltaic) panels into Alternating Current electricity (AC electricity). AC electricity is the form of power used by all your home appliances and electronics.

Solar inverters serve as the essential gatekeepers in the solar power generation process. Without them, a solar power system would be akin to expensive black roof tiles. Beyond their primary function, solar inverters also act as vital safety mechanisms and supervisors. They continuously monitor system performance and convert DC electricity into safe AC output, preventing dangerous voltage levels.

As illustrated in the image above, solar inverters interface with every component of your solar system, earning them the title of the system’s ‘brains.’

It’s generally advisable to allocate a significant portion of your budget to the solar panel inverter and opt for more cost-effective solar panels if budget constraints are a concern.

Selecting the Right Solar Panel Inverter:

With a multitude of brands and various inverter types vying for your attention, making an informed choice can be challenging.

Which PV inverter is the best fit for your home, and why should you choose it? If this seems overwhelming, our summary below of the different types of solar inverters should provide some clarity.

String Inverters:
- Reliable, cost-effective, and scalable
- The most widely used type of solar inverter in Australia and globally
- Solar panels are connected in a string-like configuration
- Typically wall-mounted, either inside or outside the home, sheltered from the elements
Micro Inverters:
- Expensive, intricate, and innovative
- Connected to individual solar panels, responsible for DC conversion and monitoring for each panel
- Offers optimization opportunities, reducing the impact of issues in one panel on the entire system
- For example, if a tree shades one panel in a string inverter system, the entire string’s performance is negatively affected
Optimized String Inverters:
- Often seen as a compromise between string and micro inverters
- Each panel has its own optimizer, which feeds data back to a single string inverter
- Aims to address the weaknesses of both string and micro inverter systems by regulating the DC electricity output of each solar panel
Hybrid Inverters:
- Versatile and practical
- Enable the integration of batteries into the solar panel system through DC coupling
- Store, monitor, and utilize solar power, particularly during nighttime hours or in off-grid scenarios like power outages
Battery Inverters:
- Ideal for enhancing or modifying an existing system
- Separate battery inverters facilitate the addition of battery storage capabilities to the solar panel system.”

This should help clarify the distinctions among various solar inverter options and guide your selection process.

	Pros	Cons	When to Use Them
String Inverters	Most affordable Proven in Australia and extremely reliable – most used type of inverter globally Troubleshooting and maintenance costs are reduced. Inverters are the most likely point of failure in a solar panel system, only have to monitor 1 inverter	Poor efficiency across entire solar panel system in partial shade Shorter lifespan than micro inverters	For those with an unobstructed space looking for an affordable, simple solar power solution
Hybrid Inverters	Constant power supply during outages and typical downtimes when solar panels aren’t producing power when paired with a battery Allows you to store excess electricity produced by your solar system, which can then be used at night once the panels are no longer generating electricity when paired with a battery All in one inverter that cuts out the need for separate solar and battery inverters when installing batteries. Ensures your system is ‘battery ready’ in the future	Lack adoption and support A more expensive option if you don’t plan on adding a battery at the same time	For residents planning on including solar battery storage with their installations or in the near future
Micro Inverters	Longer lifespan than any other type of inverter — up to 25 years — though exposure to harsh Aussie sun can definitely reduce this Extremely easy to expand and adjust system with more, less or different solar panels Provides control at panel level — solar panels can face different directions and power production can be monitored individually	More expensive Very few companies offering micro inverters are operating in Australia	For those with roofs that are partially shaded or have multiple pitches / orientations where a string inverter would not be suitable Those with more capital to invest who want to ensure maximum production from each panel and are able to wait for ROI

Comparing Solar Inverter Systems

While solar panel systems can offer a return on investment over a few years, it’s essential not to rush the decision. These systems typically range from $4,500 to $10,000, and selecting the most suitable solar inverter for your system is a critical decision.

At Renewable Quotes, we’ve leveraged our expertise to thoroughly assess numerous solar inverter systems, presenting you with the top-rated solar inverters in the current industry.

Picking a solar inverter system: pros and cons

	Inverter	What We Love	What We Don’t Like
Top-End Choice	FRONIUS Primo 5.0-1 AUS	Unique snap-in design improves longevity and serviceability Active-cooling feature enables the solar inverter to operate in harsher conditions whilst maintaining high performance Well-designed solar app and sleek monitoring system	Requires a paid subscription to use all features in solar monitoring app
Best All-Rounder	SMA SB5.0-1AV-41	German engineering that’s highly reliable Competitively priced 24/7 service with automated monitoring and alerts from SMA on every single one of their inverters	Only offers a 5-year warranty
Most Budget-Friendly	SUNGROW SG5K-D Premium	Very affordable, approximately half the price of Fronius’s Inverter Established and proven in the Australian market, recommended by many Australian solar inverter installers Simple integration with powerful solar analytics	Saving money on panels is more advised than on inverters
Best Micro Inverter	ENPHASE IQ-7 Series	Reduces effects of redundancies in individual solar panels, and allows for more flexible system design Reduces risks associated with high voltage by converting DC to AC instantly and effectively 10-15 year warranty	More expensive than different types of inverters, such as string and hybrid inverters

FAQs

What is the lifespan of a solar inverter and can I get a warranty?

The average lifespan of a string inverter (most common in Australia) is 10-15 years. To ensure adequate protection is provided to Australians invested in solar inverters, most providers offer warranties of up to 10 years, with options to extend. Remember! Always double-check to see if parts and labour are included in your warranty.

Is my inverter battery-ready?

“Battery-ready” inverters are essentially another term for a hybrid inverter. If you have opted for a hybrid inverter when choosing between different types of inverters, then your solar panel system is 100% battery ready, yes. However, it is possible to make alterations to any system and make them technically battery-ready—one such method is to simply add a second inverter called a battery inverter to your existing solar inverter, for example.

What should I look for in a solar inverter quote?

A proven track record in Australia, both of the company in question and of the particular solar inverter. This is important as reviews of inverters that perform well in other climates might not translate to the harsh heat of Australia.

Also, make sure the developer of the solar inverter or the third-party installing has positive reviews of tradesmanship and client testimonials from real Australians, longer than or at least industry standard warranties on offer and that the solar inverter being quoted complies with the Australian Standard (AS4777). This can be checked on Clean Energy Council.

Sound like a mouthful? Why not get free quotes on your solar inverter system from Solar Market? We make sure all of these needs are met and more!

Where is my solar inverter in my solar panel system?

This depends on the type of solar inverter being used in your system. Micro-inverters will typically be installed underneath each individual solar panel; hybrid and string inverters are likely to be mounted on a residential wall—inside or outside, safe from exposure to the elements and easily accessible for ease of maintenance. Your technician will inform you of the current or planned location of your solar panel inverter

How much does a solar inverter cost within my solar panel system?

Based on a 5kW version of the different types of inverters we reviewed above, prices are likely to range from $1,000 (SunGrow) to $2,000 (Fronius). This is estimated to account for 15-35% of the complete cost of a solar system.

What are grid-tied solar inverters?

This one sounds more complicated than it actually is.

A grid-tied solar inverter simply refers to a solar inverter that is connected to the energy grid.

So basically 99% of rooftop solar inverters in Australia

Unless you’re living way out in the bush, off grid, in a home totally cut off from mains electricity, you’re going to have a grid-tied solar inverter.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, what does it mean?

When your solar inverter is grid-tied it’s able to feed any excess energy that’s not being used by you to run your lights and appliances back through the poles and wires to be used by the rest of the grid that has need for it.

Your energy provider pays you for this energy that you export with what’s known as a feed-in tariff (FiT).

Your solar inverter is constantly monitoring your usage and communicating with the grid to ensure it remains stable and to make sure you’re maximising the benefit you get form the energy your solar panels are producing.

Solar Inverters

Selecting the Right Solar Panel Inverter:

Pros

Cons

When to Use Them

String Inverters

Hybrid Inverters

Micro Inverters

Comparing Solar Inverter Systems

Picking a solar inverter system: pros and cons

Inverter

What We Love

What We Don’t Like

Top-End Choice

FRONIUS Primo 5.0-1 AUS

Best All-Rounder

SMA SB5.0-1AV-41

Most Budget-Friendly

SUNGROW SG5K-D Premium

Best Micro Inverter

ENPHASE IQ-7 Series

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