Best Solar Inverters 2020
Best Solar Inverters on the market in 2020.
The solar inverter is one of the most important parts of a solar system installation. But, it’s also one of the most delicate parts and likely to have issues. That is why it’s essential to buy a quality inverter and install it in a sheltered place, to make sure it will be able to resist and have a long lifespan.
Continue reading and access the list of the best solar inverters available in Australia, so you can be confident that you’ll choose the one that best suits your home and needs.
What is the function of a Solar Inverter?
First of all, here is a simple explanation of the function of the inverter within the solar system:
- A Solar inverter is the part of the solar system that is responsible for transforming the energy produced in a solar system installation, which is transmitted in the form of direct current (DC), into alternating current (AC).In this way, the electrical appliances and other electrical devices will be able to function normally and without any danger.
What to look for in a solar inverter?
It’s as critical to choose solar panels as it’s the inverter. When choosing the inverter for your solar installation you must take into account the following characteristics:
- Maximum transformation power:
It’s the maximum amount of energy that the inverter will be able to transform, and it can be expressed in both (W) and (VA). Although the inverters all come with security measures, you have to choose the model that best suits your electrical installation. If not, it is better to install a separate shutdown and ignition systems, to avoid any electrical overload.
- Protection systems:
Solar inverters must be able to stop production in the event of a short circuit, grid failure or component failure. If this is not possible, you must install a separate shutdown system.
- Optimization:
The inverter must optimize the solar production regardless of the shadows or the type of panel installed. Therefore, you must choose which inverter is most appropriate for your home.
- Data register:
Getting a system that registers production data will allow you to monitor the production of the panels and find out if there are any problems that you should be aware of.
Top solar inverters in the market
On top of our list we have Fronius. Fronius has been involved in renewable energy since 1992, being solar energy their main focus.
In addition to manufacturing solar inverters, Fronius has also worked on different research projects with the sole purpose of making renewable energy ready for the future.
Why Fronius?
This high-end Austrian manufactured brand is one of the top choice for solar installations in homes and businesses.
What customers love about Fronius inverters – apart from their great customer service – is the performance and reliability that this brand offers.
Most of the Fronius’s Inverters are approved by the Clean Energy Council for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which is Australia’s home STC program (financial incentives). You might have heard that the Fronius Symo Hybrid is excluded from this list, but that’s no longer the case. This inverter was recently added to the list of approved inverters on the 12/08/2020.
Fronius Range
There are different models of Fronius inverters. Some of them are designed to cover the needs of residential homes while others are focused on bigger commercial installations.
A unique aspect about Fronius inverters is the SnapINverter.This technology enables easy access to the inverter when service is required, without needing to be removed from the wall.
Fronius Galvo is recommended for household self-consumption systems, with power categories ranging from 1.5 to 3.1kW.
Other features that make this inverter one of the top future-proof in it class are: integrated data-logging, internet connexion by WLAN, or plug-in card technology for retrofitting additional functions.
There are 2 different models:
- Galvo
- Galvo UL
Fronius Primo is one of the latest additions in the SnapINverter. Is a transformerless single-phase inverter making it an ideal option for a residential household inverter with power categories ranging from 3.0 to 15kW.
There are 3 different models:
- Primo
- Primo UL
- Primo GEN24 Plus
The Fronius GEN24 Plus is a hybrid inverter with integrated back-up power recommended for homes that don’t want to risk running out of light in case of power outage.
The Fronius Symo is a transformerless three-phase inverter and depending on the model, these inverters can be used in both residential and commercial installations.
There are 4 different models:
- Symo
- Symo UL
- Symo Hybrid
- Symo GEN24 Plus
The Fronius GEN24 Plus is a hybrid inverter with integrated back-up power recommended for homes that don’t want to risk running out of light in case of power outage.
Fronius Eco is a three-phase inverted designed for large-scale installations. It is lightweight and can be installed in indoors or outdoors.
String collection boxes are no longer required as it has integrated all-pole string fuse holders and optional DC fuse.
Fronius Galvo
- Power: 1.5 ~ 3.1 kW
- Efficiency: 95.9 ~ 96.1 %
- Frecuency: 50Hz, 60Hz
- Suitable for: small household/self-cosumption
Fronius Galvo UL
- Power: 1.5 ~ 3.1 kW
- Efficiency: 95.8 ~ 96 %
- Frecuency: 50Hz, 60Hz
- Suitable for: private households
Fronius Primo
- Power: 3 ~ 8.2 kW
- Efficiency: 97.9 ~ 98.1 %
- Frecuency: 50Hz, 60Hz
- Suitable for: private households
Fronius Primo UL
- Power: 3.8 ~ 15 kW
- Efficiency: 96.7 ~ 96.9 %
- Frecuency: 50Hz, 60Hz
- Suitable for: private households
Fronius Primo GEN24 Plus
- Power: 3 ~ 6 kW
- Efficiency: 97.9 ~ 98.1 %
- Frecuency: 50Hz, 60Hz
- Suitable for: households that want to have backup power in the event of a power outage.
Fronius Symo
- Power: 3 ~ 20 kW
- Efficiency: 98 ~ 98.1 %
- Frecuency: 50Hz, 60Hz
- Suitable for: irregularly shaped or different roof orientations
Fronius Symo UL
- Power: 10 ~ 24 kW
- Efficiency: 97 ~ 98.1 %
- Frecuency: 50Hz, 60Hz
- Suitable for: commercial systems of any size
Fronius Symo Hybrid
- Power: 3 ~ 5 kW
- Efficiency: 97.7 ~ 97.9 %
- Frecuency: 50Hz, 60Hz
- Suitable for: irregularly shaped or different roof orientations
Fronius Symo GEN24 Plus
- Power: 6 ~ 10 kW
- Efficiency: 98.2 %
- Frecuency: 50Hz, 60Hz
- Suitable for: households that want to have backup power in the event of a power outage.
Fronius ECO
- Power: 25 ~ 27 kW
- Efficiency: 98.2 ~ 98.3 %
- Frecuency: 50Hz, 60Hz
- Suitable for: large-scale installations
Another company that we trust, and it’s also on top of our list is Sungrow. This Chinese company was established in 1997 and it has been in the Australian market since 2012. Sungrow offers a wide range of solar inverters, suitable for residential, commercial and large-scale projects.
Why Sungrow?
Sungrow has been in the solar inverter industry for a while and when it comes to choosing a reliable and cost-effective inverter for solar or energy storage systems, Sungrow is one of the favourites. In addition, Sungrow offers 10 years warranty on most new generation inverters.
Sungrow Range
There are different models of Fronius inverter. Some of them are designed to cover the needs of residential homes while others are focused on bigger commercial installations.
Furthermore, Sungrow Photovoltaic Inverters have a range from 3 kW to 6.8 MW and offer greater than 99% efficiency. Ready for whatever size is needed.
These inverters come in a power range between 2.5 kW and 250 kW.
These inverters have a standard size, their containers are 10 or 20 feet, start with 500kW and can reach a maximum power output of up to 6.8MW.
Sungrow’s range offers inverters and energy storage that adapts to different solutions for efficient operation according to the available budget of each client. Sungrow products can be adapted to existing networks without any problem, according to any required standard certification.
SG2K/2K5/3K-S - PREMIUM
- Power: 2 ~ 3 kW
- Efficiency: 98.2%
- Frecuency: 45 ~ 65 Hz
- Suitable for: Residential
SG3K6-D/SG4K-D/SG4K6-D/SG6K-D
- Power: 3 ~ 6 kW
- Efficiency: 98.4%
- Frecuency: 45 ~ 65 Hz
- Suitable for: Residential
SG8K-D - PREMIUM
- Power: 8 kW
- Efficiency: 98.5 %
- Frecuency: 50 ~ 60 Hz
- Suitable for: Residential
SG5/6KTL-MT/SG8/10KTL-M
- Power: 5.5 ~ 11 kW
- Efficiency: 98.2 ~ 98.4 %
- Frecuency: 50 ~ 60 Hz
- Suitable for: Residential
SG10KTL-MT
- Power: 11kW
- Efficiency: 98.6%,
- Frecuency: 45 ~ 65 Hz
- Suitable for: Residential
SG/12/15/20KTL-M
- Power: 13.2 ~ 22 kW
- Efficiency: 98.6 %
- Frecuency: 50 ~ 60 Hz
- Suitable for: Residential
Conclusion
Here we have exposed two of the best solar inverters on the market in terms of power, efficiency and frequency. Analyze all the needs you are looking for in your solar inverter and feel free to leave us a comment or contact us with any questions you might have.
Choosing the right solar inverter will help you optimise and safely convert the energy that your home or business needs. Make sure you choose the best solar inverter for your solar system.