What are the best solar inverters?
Solar panels capture energy from the sun and generate direct current (DC) electricity. However, most of the energy you need for your home is alternating current (AC) electricity. A solar inverter is an extremely important part of a home solar system, as it is responsible for converting DC electricity into AC electricity.
Solar panels and solar batteries need an inverter to transmit the energy to your home. This is even true of the Tesla Powerwall solar battery, which has a built-in solar inverter but still needs an additional inverter to be compatible with a solar panel system. Without a solar inverter, your solar panels wouldn’t be able to power your home or business.
If you are interested in purchasing a residential solar system, SaveOnEnergy can guide you in your search for the best solar inverters of 2023. Keep reading to learn more.
The best solar inverters in 2023
Solar energy is rapidly increasing in popularity across the country. The industry’s growth has encouraged solar manufacturers to ramp up the number of solar power inverters available. We factored in cost, size options, warranty, and efficiency levels of available solar inverters to present you with the best solar inverters available on the market.
- Cost: A mid-sized solar panel system may require an inverter costing between $1,000 and $1,500. The cost of your inverter will be influenced by factors like its size and brand.
- Size options: The size of the inverter you need to buy will be dependent on the overall size of your solar panel system. A typical residential solar panel system in the U.S. is 5 kilowatts. Most string inverters range between 3 and 7 kilowatts (kW), making them an ideal choice for a homeowner looking to go solar.
- Warranty: Many manufacturers offer product warranties on solar inverters. The industry standard for a solar inverter warranty is 5–10 years. If you want to protect your inverter over the long term, you can often buy extended warranties from manufacturers at an extra cost.
- Peak efficiency: An inverter uses some of the power generated by your panels to convert DC electricity to AC electricity. A solar inverter’s peak efficiency is the maximum percentage of electricity it can transmit after it uses the electricity it needs to function. The industry average for peak efficiency is 97%.
Most solar customers remain connected to the power grid to be able to draw power when their panels don’t produce enough for their homes. Whether you choose to remain on-grid or install a battery to go off-grid, you’ll need to pick a solar inverter. Here’s a look at the best solar inverters on the market for 2023.
Fronius Primo Solar Inverter ($1,337–$3,399)
The Fronius Primo Solar Inverter was initially released in 2012. Since then, it has remained one of the most popular solar inverters. Fronius provides different inverter size options (measured in kilowatts) to ensure they work for various homes. The inverter’s peak efficiency is 97.9%, aligning with the industry standard. The Fronius Primo Solar Inverter features a 10-year warranty. Customers can pay more to extend it up to 20 years. The inverter’s performance is improved by a built-in cooling system.
SMA Sunny Boy Inverter ($1,260-$1,920)
The SMA Sunny Boy Inverter only includes a 5-year warranty, which is slightly below the industry standard. However, SMA sells an optional 10-, 15-, or 20-year extended warranty. Aside from the warranty period, the SMA Sunny Boy Inverter is on par with many of its competitors. It has a lower average price range than some of the other options on this list. Its size options are more limited than other inverters on the market, although the units pair well with the average solar system size for many homeowners. Like many other inverters, this solar inverter offers system monitoring with Wi-Fi so you can keep on top of its performance.
SolarEdge HD-Wave Inverter ($1,300-$2,900)
The SolarEdge HD-Wave Inverter is another solar inverter with a wide range of sizes at varying price points. The warranty for the SolarEdge Inverter is 12 years, slightly above the industry average. One of the most appealing features of this inverter is its 99.2% peak efficiency level, higher than what competitors offer. You should keep in mind that all SolarEdge inverters require an additional DC optimizer fitted to each panel, which pushes up the total cost of your system. The benefit of this extra investment is that your panels can work at full capacity.
Sungrow SG Premium Inverter ($900-$1,070)
The Sungrow SG Premium Inverter is currently among the cheapest solar inverters. Customers can choose a size ranging from 3 kW to 10 kW, which makes it suitable for most residential solar panel systems. The Sungrow SG Premium includes a 10-year warranty. You can purchase extended warranties at an additional cost. With a peak efficiency of 98.4%, the Sungrow SG Premium Inverter is a good choice for customers looking for an affordable and reliable solar inverter.
Enphase IQ7+ Microinverter ($165+ per unit)
The Enphase IQ7+ Microinverter differs from the other inverter options for solar energy on this list because it is a microinverter instead of a string inverter. Microinverters are much smaller and only monitor individual solar panels, allowing for easier expansion in the future. If one of your solar panels fails, the others will not be affected. The Enphase IQ7+ Microinverter’s price point can appear attractive. However, you need to purchase several units to pair with each solar panel in your system. Enphase offers a warranty of up to 25 years on its microinverters, which is above the industry average. These microinverters are also highly efficient and more lightweight than string inverters.
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How to choose the right solar inverter
There are several factors to consider when shopping for an inverter for your solar system.
Grid-tied or off-grid inverters
When you purchase solar panels, you’ll need to determine if you want to connect your solar system to the power grid (a grid-tied system) or go off the grid entirely (an off-grid system). Gaining more energy independence is an enticing perk of a solar system. However, most solar system owners stay connected to the grid for increased reliability and lower their energy costs with net metering. Some states require solar owners to remain tied to the power grid.
Grid-tied systems and off-grid systems require different inverters. In an off-grid system, a charge controller will send the DC electricity to a solar battery bank. Then, the inverters convert the DC power to AC power. Grid-tied systems don’t require a battery; instead, the DC electricity goes straight into the inverter to convert to AC electricity. From there, it immediately powers your home.
Hybrid solar systems that use a battery bank and remain connected to the power grid are also available. If your solar system is hybrid, search for a compatible inverter that connects with a battery bank and the grid.
Types of solar inverters
The three most common types of inverters are string inverters, string inverters with optimizers, and microinverters. String inverters are usually the most cost-effective option. String inverters with optimizers and microinverters often cost more than standard string inverters but offer more flexibility. Visit our guide about how solar inverters work for a detailed look at the different types of inverters.
Solar inverter size
The size of your solar inverter needs to correspond with your solar panel system’s size. If you install a 5-kilowatt (kW) system, you should invest in a solar inverter that is around the same size and can handle the capacity. You can ask your solar installation company for advice on a solar system and inverter size suitable for your home.
Solar inverter warranties
Solar inverters typically include a product warranty to protect you against defects or poor manufacturing. The industry standard for solar inverter warranties is between five and 10 years. Many manufacturers also offer extended warranties at an extra cost. Read the fine print on an inverter warranty to ensure it covers product defects, mechanical issues, and unusual wear and tear.
Solar manufacturer brand
Before purchasing a solar inverter, it’s a good idea to read reviews about the manufacturer. Customer testimonials and product reviews can help you narrow your search and eliminate solar inverter brands that do not hold up well.