A solar array is never complete without a solar inverter. However, some brands are more trusted than others. There are a lot of solar inverter brands to choose from, so it can be hard to figure out which is the best if you’re unfamiliar with the Australian solar landscape.
With more than a decade of experience in solar panel and inverter installation, I’ve learned that not all solar inverters are equal. There are some stand-out brands on the Australian market that will offer you the best performance and reliability for your solar PV system.
This article will look at the top solar inverter brands in Australia, giving you a rundown of which models are available. I’ve also included some background on each brand, any unique features they offer, and what kind of warranty you’ll get when buying a solar inverter.
The best solar inverter brands in Australia are Fronius, SMA, Q CELLS, SolarEdge, Enphase, Sungrow, GoodWe, and Huawei. Each brand has unique features, pros, and cons that will suit different solar PV system requirements.
Although each has a competitive advantage, the best solar inverter brand for one is not necessarily the best for another. It’s always best to speak to your solar installation company about which solar inverter you need to ensure it’s the right solution for your solar PV system overall.
However, to give you some guidance, this article will cover the top solar inverter brands in Australia and provide information on choosing the best solar inverter for you.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Why Do I Need a Solar Panel Inverter?
Homeowners and businesses need a solar panel inverter for their solar system to make the energy they get from the sun usable. An inverter transforms direct current (DC) from your solar array to alternating current (AC), which is used to power your home or business.
Solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity, which is a steady one-directional flow of electric charge. An inverter is an apparatus that converts DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity. AC electricity flows in two directions in the power system’s circuitry, changing from positive to negative charge. This allows the inverter to control electrical flow.
Most home appliances sold in Australia use AC electricity to operate properly. Without an inverter, you cannot convert the DC output from your solar array to the AC requirement of your appliances, machines, or gadgets. This means the energy generated by solar panels is useless without a solar inverter.
At the beginning of their solar journey, many Australians don’t know what a solar inverter is or what role it plays. However, using solar panels to power your home is impossible without an inverter. This technology is critical, and choosing the right solar inverter is key to getting the best performance from your solar PV system.
Because an inverter is an integral part of a solar power system, you’ll need the right one for your array. But with all those brands in the market, doing so can be quite challenging.
We have made a comprehensive guide of what we think are the best solar inverters in Australia, including specifications and details for each brand or model.
How Do I Choose the Right Solar Inverter?
Technically speaking, installers will help you choose the right solar inverter by considering your existing solar array, geography, and site conditions. On top of that, there are more preferential criteria like your budget and which brand you’re comfortable with.
Let’s break down these criteria.
1. Your Solar Array
The general rule of thumb is that the rating of your solar system should match the rating of your inverter. However, it’s common to oversize your solar array within a ratio of 1.33 to keep your PV system running at maximum efficiency – for instance, installing a 5kW inverter for 6.6kW of solar panels.
Making sure your inverter suits your solar PV system size is the most important factor to consider. You should also speak to your solar installer about future plans, like expanding your solar array.
2. Your Geography
The location of your solar array also impacts your choice of solar inverters. Let’s say you live in a place where it’s sunny most of the time. Your 6-kilowatt solar array system will generate more power for your home than a similar array in an area with more clouds or shade.
Due to the different levels of generated DC electricity, your inverter should be able to handle that load. Thus, if you live in a sunny area, your inverter’s output would be closer to your solar array wattage. But if you live in an area that does not receive too much solar radiation, you might need to install an inverter of lesser maximum output than your solar array’s wattage.
3. Site-Specific Conditions
The site of the inverter is also something that you need to consider. Terrain features, environmental conditions, the location of your array, and the design specifics of your solar array must all be considered when choosing the right solar inverter.
Key factors include your solar system’s positioning, orientation, angle, and tilt. Thus, the capacity of your ideal solar inverter may be slightly higher or lower than your solar array’s actual wattage. Professional installers will note all these factors to help you choose your inverter.
4. Type of Inverter
Your purpose can help determine the type of inverter you need. For instance, residential areas can only use microinverters or string inverters, while larger regions call for central inverters.
Additionally, your preferred design or look can also help you decide on a suitable inverter. For example, microinverters are highly flexible in design and can deal with overshadowing.
5. Budget and Brand
Of course, budget is always a consideration when choosing something. Luckily, you have many choices, since affordable converters don’t necessarily mean bad-performing ones. You can see a range of reputable brands that perform well on our list below.
What are the Best Solar Inverter Brands in Australia?
The right solar inverter allows you to enjoy significant savings and a degree of independence from the local grid. However, you can’t just buy the first solar panel inverter brand that strikes your fancy. To reap the maximum benefits of your solar panel system, it must be the right kind of inverter.
We checked what homeowners and installers are using, and here’s a list of Australia’s best and most trusted solar inverter brands.
1. Fronius
Fronius is a household name in the Australian solar industry. As innovators in solar technology, these inverters offer a lot of industry-leading features which can maximise the efficiency of your system.
About Fronius
With 75 years in business and three decades of experience in solar inverters and battery chargers, Fronius has made missteps and recoveries that deservingly put it at the top of the solar inverter game. The brand boasts 28 offices globally, with 19 dedicated to harnessing solar energy.
Fronius Solar Inverter Range
Since launching their pioneering grid-connected solar inverter in 1995, Fronius has become one of the industry’s foremost manufacturers.
Fronius is best known for its SnapINverter technology, which standardised a hinge system on a wall-mounted unit. This allows for ease of access—no need to remove the entire unit off the wall bracket.
Another great innovation from Fronius is its GEN24, which allows for “24 hours of sun.” It manages the electricity output of your solar panels by charging a battery system while still operating from the grid.
The company also offers an inverter range at a discount with hybrid features disabled. Once you’re confident you’re getting your money back, you can enable or unlock the hybrid features for an additional fee.
Fronius Solar Inverter Models
| Model Number | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (mm) | Max Efficiency | Max Output |
| Fronius Galvo 1.5 (3.1 kW) | 16.4 kg | 645 x 431 x 204 (LxWxH) | 95.9% | 1,500 W |
| Fronius Primo 3.0 (8.2kW) | 21.5 kg | 431 x 645 x 204 (WxHxD) | 98% | 3,000 W |
| Fronius Symo 3.0 (20.0kW) | 19.9 kg | 645 x 431 x 204 (LxWxD) | 98% | 3,000 W |
| Fronius Eco | 35.7 kg | 510 x 725 x 225 (WxHxD) | 98.3% | 27,000 W |
Fronius Solar Inverter Warranty
Fronius offers a 5-year warranty for parts and labour and a 5-year extension for parts only if you register at Solar Web within 30 months of the dispatch of any Fronius inverter. If you’d like to extend that, a 10-, 15-, and 20-year warranty is possible to purchase from the installer within 30 months of the dispatch from Fronius’ factory. The maximum warranty for Fronius solar inverters is up to 25 years.
Fronius Solar Inverter Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (6509 ratings)
2. SMA Solar Inverters
SMA Solar Technology AG brands include Sunny Boy for the residential market, Sunny Tripower and Sunny Highpower for the commercial market, Sunny Central for utility-scale solar farms and other large-scale applications, and Sunny Island for off-grid and battery applications.
About SMA
Based and founded in Germany in 1981, SMA Solar Technology manufactures and distributes solar energy equipment for residential and commercial use. They also manufacture solar energy systems for industrial-scale applications and solar farms.
With over 40 years in the solar industry, SMA has developed and manufactured quality solar inverters, battery inverters, EV-charging solutions, monitoring and control systems, and digital solutions apps and software for the design, operation, and servicing of PV and energy systems.
SMA Solar Inverter Range
SMA’s competitive advantage is the SMA Sunny Portal, a free built-in monitoring system for residential and commercial buildings. It is also the largest and most advanced solar monitoring platform globally.
For an additional cost, homeowners and companies can also gain valuable insight into their electric consumption through an SMA smart metre. It will even allow homeowners to install or upgrade their solar system to a size higher than what’s permitted and limit the energy returned to the grid—legally, of course.
SMA Inverter Models
| Model Number | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (mm) | Max Efficiency | Max Output |
| SMA Sunny Boy (1.5kW-6kW) | 17.5 kg | 435 x 470 x 176 (WxHxD) | 97% | 3,000 W |
| SMA Sunny Tripower (3kW-25kW) | 61 kg | 661 x 682 x 264 (WxHxD) | 98.4% | 25,000 W |
| SMA Sunny Tripower Core 1 (50kW) | 84 kg | 569 x 733 x 621 (WxHxD) | 98.1% | 50,000 W |
| SMA Highpower Peak 1 (75kW) | 77 kg | 570 x 740 x 306 (WxHxD) | 98.8% | 75,000 W |
SMA Solar Inverter Warranty
SMA offers the standard 5-year warranty, but you can purchase up to 10 years of warranty extension for approximately 15% to 20% of your inverter’s value.
SMA Solar Inverter Reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (1387 ratings)
3. Q CELLS Solar Inverters
Backed by German efficiency, Q CELLS solar inverters helped pioneer the solar industry. Their range of highly efficient models has helped countless residences and businesses save money and benefit from the huge potential that is solar energy.
About Q CELLS
Established in 1999, Hanwha Q CELLS Co., Ltd. and Hanwha Q CELLS & Advanced Materials Corp. operate under the name Q CELLS in Australia. (The Hanwha Group was already in operation way back in 1952 and is a huge name in South Korea.)
Q CELLS promises renewable products and services to deliver clean power for all, with an international presence in the solar market. Hanwha Q CELLS is one of the world’s largest photovoltaic cell manufacturers, and the company also manufactures crystalline silicon solar cells and panels. Thus, it has gained a credible reputation in the solar industry.
Q CELLS Solar Inverter Range
Founded in Germany, Q CELLS provided some of the most efficient solar products in Germany and South Korea during the infancy of the solar energy industry. Now with a business in Australia, Q CELLS offers its solar systems and inverters for residential, commercial, industrial, and utility applications. The Q.HOME range of solar inverters brought to you by Q CELLS are compact, highly efficient models that provide improved quality of life and value to any home in Australia.
Q CELLS Solar Inverter Models
| Model Number | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (mm) | Max Efficiency | Max Output |
| Q.HOME CORE A4 | 61.1 kg | 460 x 700 x 221 (WxHxD) | 96.35% | 5,000 W |
| Q.HOME CORE H4 | 61.1 kg | 460 x 700 x 221 (WxHxD) | MPPT 99.9%PV to Grid 97%PV to Battery 97.8%Battery to Grid 96.3% | 5,000 W |
| Q.HOME ESS HYB-G2 | 52.3 kg | 467 x 721 x 212 (WxHxD) | 95.28% | 5,000 W |
Q CELLS Solar Inverter Warranty
Q CELLS offers a 10-year product warranty. As for performance, Q CELLS offers a 10-year coverage or a warranty if the battery reaches an energy throughput of 11.838 MWh for each 4kWh.
4. Solaredge
Solaredge Technologies Inc is a manufacturer and provider of solar inverters, power optimisers, and monitoring systems for solar energy arrays.
About SolarEdge
Established in 2006, SolarEdge may not have the decades to back it up, but it certainly makes up for it with its award-winning technology and patents, global outreach, and bankability. In fact, SolarEdge is one of the global leaders in smart energy technology.
SolarEdge Solar Inverter Range
SolarEdge is one of the first—if not the first—to integrate an EV charger into their solar inverters. The brand also has a built-in consumption metre for tracking and energy insight and a monitoring and control app, mySolarEdge.
SolarEdge inverters also use module-level Maximum Power Point Tracking technology to maximise energy generation efficiently. That can be incredibly good or very bad, depending on where you stand. That’s why the brand is a bit polarising for installers.
Solaredge Inverter Models
| Model Number | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (mm) | Max Efficiency | Max Output |
| HD-Wave Genesis SE3000H | 10 kg | 370 x 450 x 174 (WxHxD) | 99.2% | 3,000 W |
| HD-Wave Genesis SE5000H | 11.4 kg | 370 x 450 x 174 (WxHxD) | 99.2% | 5,000 W |
| HD-Wave Genesis SE6000H | 11.9 kg | 370 x 450 x 174 (WxHxD) | 99.2% | 6,000 W |
| HD-Wave Genesis SE8250H | 17.6 kg | 370 x 540 x 185 (WxHxD) | 99.2% | 8,250 W |
| HD-Wave Genesis SE10000H | 17.6 kg | 370 x 540 x 185 (WxHxD) | 99.2% | 10,000 W |
SolarEdge Solar Inverter Warranty
SolarEdge offers a 12-year warranty for their inverters, which can be extended to 20 or 25 years. They also offer a 25-year power optimiser warranty.
Solaredge Solar Inverter Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (1746 ratings)
5. Enphase Solar Inverters
Headquartered in California, USA, Enphase is known for its inverter technology, which makes its products operate at safer voltages and with a higher fault tolerance than string systems.
About Enphase
Founded in 2006, Enphase Energy designs and manufactures software-driven home energy solutions, including solar generation, home energy storage, and monitoring and control of your solar systems. They are an American NASDAQ-listed firm.
Enphase Solar Inverter Range
Enphase started making waves in the solar industry because of its microinverter technology. Currently, Enphase is the only credible microinverter manufacturer selling its products in Australia.
It boasts 48 million microinverters installed in 2.5 million homes around the globe. Virtually any solar panel is compatible with the Enphase microinverter, but the most efficient solar systems use the brand’s battery technology.
Because of Enphase’s reputation, installers choose them for their reliability, flexibility, and safety—safer voltages and fault tolerance.
Enphase Inverter Models
| Model Number | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (mm) | Max Efficiency | Max Output |
| Enphase IQ 7A (IQ7A-72-2-INT) | 1.08 kg | 175 x 212 x 30.2 (WxHxD) | 96.5% | 366 VA |
| Enphase IQ 7 (IQ7-60-E-INT) | 1.08 kg | 175 x 212 x 30.2 (WxHxD) | 96.5% | 250 VA |
| Enphase IQ 7+ (IQ7PLUS-72-E-INT) | 1.08 kg | 175 x 212 x 30.2 (WxHxD) | 96.5% | 295 VA |
| Enphase IQ 7X (IQ7X-96-E-INT) | 1.08 kg | 175 x 212 x 30.2 (WxHxD) | 96.5% | 320 VA |
Enphase Solar Inverter Warranty
Enphase only offers limited warranties. For the most part, it’s 10 years within 4 months of dispatch from Enphase, covering workmanship and materials. Owners are encouraged to check the fine print as there may be differences in the coverage for systems activated from June 2018 to August 2019, September 2019 to April 2020, and April 2020 onwards.
Enphase Solar Inverter Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (1542 ratings)
6. Sungrow Solar Inverters
Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. is among the world’s leading brands in solar inverters.
About Sungrow
The company was founded in 1997 and has been the forerunner in the R&D of solar inverters. Sungrow has been a strong brand for 25 years, delivering solar-energy products in over 150 countries.
Sungrow has a diverse portfolio, with products and services ranging from residential, commercial, and industrial utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) inverter solutions and energy storage systems. They also have floating PV plant solutions, EV charging solutions, NEV driving solutions, and renewable hydrogen production systems.
Sungrow Solar Inverter Range
Sungrow’s strong R&D investment allows them to provide high-quality inverters and energy storage solutions for residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale applications.
As of June 2022, Sungrow is known as the world’s most bankable inverter brand. Sungrow has been independently recognised for their stability and consistent financial returns since their inception in 1997, making them one of the most profitable, if not the most profitable, solar inverter brands in Australia. Its Solar Analytics and tech support are something that homeowners and companies trust, which is a leading contributor to their widespread success.
Sungrow Inverter Models
| Model Number | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (mm) | Max Efficiency | Max Output |
| SG2.0RS-S | 6 kg | 320 x 225 x 120 (WxHxD) | 97.8% | 2,000 W |
| SG3.0RS | 10 kg | 410 x 270 x 150 (WxHxD) | 97.9% | 3,000 W |
| SG5.0RS | 10 kg | 410 x 270 x 150 (WxHxD) | 97.9% | 4,999 W |
| SG5.0RS-ADA | 19 kg | 490 x 340 x 170 (WxHxD) | 97.8% | 4,999 W |
| SG8.0RS | 19 kg | 490 x 340 x 170 (WxHxD) | 97.8% | 8,000 W |
| SG10RS | 19 kg | 490 x 340 x 170 (WxHxD) | 97.8% | 10,000 W |
| SG3K-D | 11.5 kg | 360 x 390 x 133 (WxHxD) | 98.4% | 3,000 W |
| SG5K-D | 11.5 kg | 360 x 390 x 133 (WxHxD) | 98.4% | 4,990 W |
| SG2K-S | 8.5 kg | 300 x 370 x 125 (WxHxD) | 98.2% | 2,000 W |
| SG2K5-S | 8.5 kg | 300 x 370 x 125 (WxHxD) | 98.2% | 2,500 W |
| SG3K-S | 8.5 kg | 300 x 370 x 125 (WxHxD) | 98.2% | 3,000 W |
Sungrow Solar Inverter Warranty
Sungrow inverters come with a 5-year warranty, while their premium inverters come with a 10-year warranty. In both cases, owners can purchase an extension.
Sungrow Solar Inverter Reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (1792 ratings)
7. Goodwe Solar Inverters
GoodWe designs, manufactures, and distributes single and three-phase solar inverters and energy storage solutions for residential and commercial uses.
About GoodWe
GoodWe was founded in Suzhou, China, in 2010 and established in Australia just two years later. Since then, Jiangsu GoodWe Power Supply Technology Co Ltd has become a popular supplier in Australia, establishing an office in Melbourne.
GoodWe Solar Inverter Range
GoodWe is one of the top 6 PV inverter suppliers in 2021, according to IHS Markit, as well as producing the Global No. 1 storage inverter in 2020, according to Wood Mackenzie.
GoodWe products and services range from residential, commercial, industrial, and utility solutions and applications. It also has energy storage and PV building solutions. In fact, it is known to provide one of the most comprehensive ranges of solar inverters from 0.7 kW to 250 kW.
Goodwe Inverter Models
| Model Number | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (mm) | Max Efficiency | Max Output |
| Goodwe XS Series (0.7-3kW) | 5.8 kg | 295 x 230 x 113 (WxHxD) | 97.2% – 97.6% | 3,000 W |
| DNS Series (3-5kW) | 13 kg | 354 x 433 x 147 (WxHxD) | 97.8% | 3,000 W – 5,000 W |
| EH Series (3.6-6kW) | 17 kg | 354 x 433 x 147 (WxHxD) | 97.6% | 3,600 W – 6,000 W |
| GoodWe SDT G2 Series (4-6kW) | 15 kg | 433 x 354 x 147 (WxHxD) | 98.2% – 98.3% | 4,000 W – 6,000 W |
| GoodWe MS Series (5-10kW) | 22.5 kg | 511 x 415 x 175 (WxHxD) | 97% – 97.7% | 5,000 W – 10,000 W |
| Goodwe SMT Series (25-36 kW) | 40 kg | 480 x 590 x 200 (WxHxD) | 98.7% – 98.8% | 12,000 W – 20,700 W |
| Goodwe MT Series (50-80 kW) | 50 kg – 65 kg | 586 x 788 x 264 (WxHxD) to 586 x 788 x 267 (WxHxD) | 98.7% – 99% | 50,000 W – 80,000 W |
GoodWe Solar Inverter Warranty
Products come in 5- to 10-year warranty periods. The standard warranty for CEC-approved inverters is 5 years. DNS and MS series GoodWe inverters have an additional 5-year parts-only warranty. The warranty period covers parts replacement, but owners will still be required to pay for labour, delivery, and any taxes or duties. Warranties can be extended up to 25 years, depending on the model of the inverter, and can be done conveniently online.
Goodwe Solar Inverter Reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (1147 ratings)
8. Huawei Solar Inverters
Chinese multinational technology company Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Started in 1987. This telecommunications giant also has products and services for the solar industry.
About Huawei
The Chinese electronics company Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. designs, develops, creates, and distributes a wide variety of consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment, and energy-storage devices. It has overtaken Ericsson as the largest telecommunications manufacturer in the world. It is the second largest manufacturer of smartphones, next to Samsung.
Huawei Solar Inverter Range
Huawei integrates AI, Cloud, and the latest ICT technologies with PV for optimal power generation, creating products with Smart O&M and grid-supporting capabilities. They offer residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale products and services.
Huawei’s main line of inverters is single or three-phase inverters. They have hybrid battery charging with built-in battery chargers. They also have multiple MPPTs (Maximum Power Point Tracking), and owners have the option to use power optimisers. To track the degradation of your solar panelHuawei inverters also have an inbuilt IV curve tester. This piece of technology does sweeping tests of your solar system, checking the current and voltage at different points within the test across your entire solar system.
Huawei Solar Inverter Models
| Model Number | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (mm) | Max Efficiency | Max Output |
| SUN2000-2/3/4/4.6/5/6KTL-L1 | 12 kg | 365 x 365 x 156 (WxHxD) | 98.2% – 98.4% | 3,000 W – 9,000 W |
| SUN2000-5/6KTL-M1 | 17 kg | 525 x 470 x 146.5 (WxHxD) | 98.4% – 98.6% | 5,000 W – 6,000 W |
| SUN600-5/6KTL-L0 | 12 kg | 365 x 365 x 156 (WxHxD) | 97.8% – 98.4% | 5,000 W – 6,000 W |
Huawei Solar Inverter Warranty
Huawei inverters come with a 10-year warranty covering spare parts, logistics, and the cost of replacements. Owners can also extend that warranty to 20 years for an upfront fee.
Huawei Solar Inverter Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (396 ratings)
What Are the Different Types of Solar Inverters?
There are different solar inverters: string inverters, string + optimisers, microinverters, central inverters, and hybrid inverters. They can be categorised into grid-tie inverters, off-grid or standalone inverters, and hybrid inverters.
Knowing these types and their features can help you decide which one is best for your home or business. Once you have an understanding of how a solar inverter works, you’ll be able to better
Here are the three grid-tied solar inverters you need to know:
Microinverters
As their name implies, microinverters are inverters for solar power systems designed for residential and small-scale commercial use. Usually, each microinverter is installed in an individual solar panel, which eliminates the need to install a separate inverter.
Categorised as module-level power electronics (MLPE), microinverters convert DC to AC by attaching to a single solar panel. They have lower power ratings but higher overall costs.
Because of the way micro inverters are set, if one of the panels is shaded or malfunctions, the system will still work, albeit at a slightly lower efficiency level. The other inverters can still convert DC power generated from the other solar panels to AC. In addition, you can check the performance level of each solar panel.
Micro inverters are still considered recent technology. Thus, they’re generally more costly than their counterparts. This is offset by increased and more independent energy generation.
Pros of Micro Inverters
The advantages of micro inverters include:
- Maximum control due to its panel-level MPPT (maximum power point tracking)
- Highly reliable because of its MPPT
- Increased system availability as one broken solar panel will not compromise the entire solar system
- Specificity in monitoring, which is helpful for repair and maintenance
- Lower DC voltage, which makes it safer than other types
- Flexible enough not to suffer from sites that get plenty of shadows
- Design can be simpler and more flexible
- Allows the use of different models of makes, which is good for repairs and upgrades
Cons of Micro Inverters
The disadvantages of micro-inverters include:
- Comparatively expensive
- More complex installations can lead to higher installation costs
- Some brands have issues in extreme heat
- Higher maintenance costs
String Inverters
String inverters are classic types of inverters that have been used for a long time for residential and commercial applications. String inverters convert DC to AC by connecting to multiple solar panels. In this setup, the solar panel arrays are arranged into rows or groups, forming a “string.” The string is then connected to an inverter specifically for that purpose.
Pros of String Inverters
The advantages of string inverters include:
- Highly efficient
- Low-cost
- Works great in direct sunlight
- Robust
- Has three phase variations
- Has remote system monitoring capabilities
- Offers some design flexibility
- Well-supported
Cons of String Inverters
The disadvantages of string inverters include:
- No panel-level MPPT (maximum power point tracking)
- No panel-level monitoring
- Poses a safety hazard because of their high voltage
Central Inverters
As its name implies, a central inverter concentrates electrical power in a single place. Central inverters operate like a massive string inverter. They convert DC to AC by depending on single-stage power conversion.
Universally, these inverters are large, use long wires, and convert a massive amount of power per solar array unit. They are most often used in industrial applications, buildings, field installations, and other large applications.
Sometimes, string inverters connected to a group of panels are linked together with a recombiner. Recombiners consolidate the output from the stringed arrays and feed them into the central inverter.
Pros of Central Inverters
The advantages of central inverters include:
- They’re highly efficient, making them an excellent long-term investment
- They have a comparatively lower price per watt
- A fast installation process will mean your solar technicians will have it up and running sooner
Cons of Central Inverters
The disadvantages of central inverters include:
- The systems are fairly large, which can compromise aesthetic design
- These units can be noisy, which may be a deterrent for some
- The entire system may fail because of a single point
How Much Do Solar Inverters Cost in Australia?
Solar inverters can vary widely in cost depending on maximum output, size, brand, and other factors. One major factor in the cost of solar inverters is their size, which is rated in kilowatts or kW; the higher the kW, the higher the price.
Let’s compare the more affordable Sungrow as our base, with the most expensive brand Enphase as our ceiling.
For 5 kW inverters, you’re looking at anywhere from $800 (Sungrow) to $2,600 (Enphase). For 10 kW inverters, it’s somewhere between $2,500 (Sungrow) to $13,500 (Enphase). For 15 kW, it’s more or less $3,000 (Sungrow) to $20,000 (Enphase). For 20 kW, it ranges from $3,000 (Sungrow) to $26,000 (Enphase).
What Do Solar Inverter Warranties Cover?
The coverage of solar inverter warranties varies depending on the manufacturer and product. For most manufacturers, parts and labour are covered. Check the fine print or clarify with your supplier to be sure.
Like many other devices and electronics, solar inverter brands are covered with a warranty. What is covered depends on the brand, as warranty coverage can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
In general:
- The inverter itself is covered from 5 to 25 years
- Power optimisers for string inverters can have up to 25-year coverage
- Extended warranties are not included but can be purchased as an option
- Labour costs and workmanship are not typically covered
- Shipping of replacement parts is usually covered
- Exceptions, limitations, and warranty fulfilment depend on the terms & conditions
It’s best to ask the brand for more specific details regarding the warranty for the solar inverter that you bought and installed.
Related Questions
Do All Solar Panels Need Solar Panel Inverters?
Yes, all solar panels need inverters. The primary role of an inverter is to convert the current flow of your solar panel, which is DC or Direct Current, to the current flow used by your appliances, which is AC or Alternating Current. Without inverters, you cannot use solar energy to power your appliances at home.
Can I Install a Solar Panel Inverter Myself?
It’s best to leave the installation of solar panel systems and inverters to professionals. Like working on high-voltage electrical components, installing solar panel inverters requires a high degree of expertise and know-how. Consequences of improper installation range from voiding your warranty and inefficient functioning to inverter failure and personal injury.
What is a Hybrid Solar Inverter?
A hybrid solar inverter converts DC to AC just like any other converter. However, it can also reverse-send extra DC power back to the battery for storage. This stored energy can be used when you need more power. Alternatively, the extra power could be routed and sold back to the local grid.
You can have a hybrid inverter directly integrated into your solar battery. This way, you can easily monitor your solar array’s energy output.
What is the Most Expensive Solar Inverter Brand?
The most expensive solar inverter brand in Australia is the microinverter company Enphase. The same 20-piece 345 W panel setup would cost $10,309 with Enphase inverters, while it is lower by almost $100 and $700 with SolarEdge and SMA inverters, respectively.
Disclaimer:
This article is published in good faith and for general informational purposes only. JFK Electrical does not make any warranties about the ongoing completeness and reliability of this information. Always seek personalised advice on solar energy to ensure any recommendations suit your property and scenario.
John Lyons, the owner of JFK Electrical Solar & Air, started his career in the electrical industry in 1997. With years of experience gained in the industry across multiple continents, he relocated to Australia and decided to specialise in solar and air conditioning. After deciding he wanted to be closer to his family, John began his own local electrical business in Mandurah, using his extensive knowledge and training in the industry. At JFK, John’s number one goal is to provide tailored solutions to his customers. And thanks to his experience and commitment to his customers, JFK Electrical is now one of the most trusted local businesses in Mandurah for solar and electrical services.
