Key Points
- Hybrid inverters are a powerful new technology that is used in a variety of solar energy scenarios, being a combination of a solar inverter and a battery in a single unit.
- A hybrid inverter may be right for you if you are looking for a comprehensive, efficient solution that has advanced power management capabilities.
- Hybrid inverters have a higher initial investment cost, but come with dozens of improvements over standard inverters.
- If you invest in a hybrid inverter, you will get access to advanced monitoring tools, reduce your reliance on the grid, and enhance your power generation.
What is a hybrid solar inverter?
Relatively new to the market, hybrid inverters are a powerful piece of solar technology that combine the benefits of a traditional solar inverter with the flexibility of a battery inverter, but in one unit.
It allows your solar system to intelligently offload excess energy into batteries, optimizing your daytime energy production and nighttime energy consumption.
Since their release on the market, they have seen widespread adoption in the solar industry because of their benefits for homeowners and installers.
Ideal for grid-uncertain situations, hybrid inverters are primarily used for grid-tie solar systems and battery backup systems to keep you online when the electricity utility fails.
Hybrid inverters are a great solution for homeowners who want a solar power system that is easily upgradeable, and that comes with a battery backup component.
How does a hybrid solar inverter work?
A hybrid solar inverter is a combination of a solar inverter and a battery in a single unit.
Equipped with an advanced battery monitoring system (BMS), it can intelligently manage power from your solar panels, solar batteries and the utility grid at the same time.
Traditional grid-tie inverters convert direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity. They will send some energy to your home, and sell any excess electricity back to the grid for a profit.
Battery inverters handle the process of converting DC electricity stored in your battery system into AC electricity that can be used to power your home.
When combined, you get a streamlined system that improves upon a lot of the functions of a traditional solar inverter.
Hybrid inverter modes and uses
Most hybrid inverters on the market today can be programmed to function in four different modes:
Should I invest in a hybrid inverter?
A hybrid solar inverter will require a larger initial investment, but it can be worth the extra cost if you are hoping to include solar battery storage with your installation.
Hybrid inverters will effectively eliminate issues from intermittent sunlight and an unreliable utility grid. Compared to other types of inverters, it performs exceptionally well in non-standard scenarios.
They excel at efficient power generation and management and allow you to closely monitor your system to ensure it’s performing optimally with connected smartphone apps.
One of the best features of this system is its ability to draw power from the grid to charge your battery storage system if necessary, meaning you will always have access to power.
Additionally, hybrid inverters will allow you to store energy for future power consumption with ease. Most hybrid inverters can easily connect with a robust backup system to protect your home during outages.
Numbers assume a 1500 square foot house in California with 15 to 18 panels, no labor, permits or additional costs included. Inverters typically cost around 6% to 10% of the total solar installation cost. Assuming standard installation cost of 15,000, with 11,280 kWh in yearly usage.
Pros and Cons of a Hybrid Inverter
Pros
- Great for complex energy needs: Hybrid inverters are great if you have complex energy needs. Modern solar systems, especially ones with batteries, won’t work without a hybrid inverter.
- Individual panel-level monitoring: With a hybrid inverter + power optimizer setup, you’ll be able to monitor each individual panel to understand exactly where every kilowatt of energy goes.
- Easily scalable: Scaleability is also a concern for many homeowners. In many cases, hybrid inverters are used in large commercial projects, as they provide an efficient and reliable way to manage power generation and usage.
- Power resiliency: The overall resiliency of a hybrid system is higher than what you would get from a traditional solar system. Your home will receive a more reliable flow of power, and you’ll be more grid-independent.
Cons
- High cost: These extra features do not come without a price tag, which is the biggest downside of a hybrid inverter. Most solar inverter setups will cost between 5% to 7% of the entire installation cost, whereas a hybrid setup will typically cost between 7% to 10%. See the chart above for more information.
- Complex configuration: Depending on what type of inverter setup you use, hybrid inverters can be complicated to configure at first, but this can be effectively negated by working with the right solar partner.
What are the Top 3 Hybrid Inverters?
Exide Hybrid Inverter 3.5 KVA /48 V
Exide is one of the most renowned names in the battery inverter and UPS segment.
The company has been around for almost 100 years, with over a dozen changes to their name and business model.
Starting as an import company, they now have 7 manufacturing plants in India, and others in Sri Lanka and Singapore.
They are the largest battery manufacturer in India, and the only brand that supplies batteries to the Indian Navy.
They have a wide range of storage solutions from 2.5Ah to 20,200Ah capacities, and have rave reviews online.
Fronius Primo Hybrid Inverter 3kW to 8.2kW
Fronius has one of the best names in solar, and is widely considered to be the world’s leading string inverter manufacturer.
Their reputation is rooted in their excellent service, high quality, and their incredible reliability.
Keep in mind that solar inverters are the most complex component in a solar system, therefore it is the most likely to develop problems.
Inverter failures can be extremely frustrating for installers and customers alike, and will often result in a complete shutdown.
SolarEdge Hybrid Inverter 2.5kW to 10kW
Based in Israel, SolarEdge Technologies supplies a wide range of inverters for residential, commercial and small utility-scale solar installations.
In the industry since 2006, they are unique in the inverter market because they do not manufacture conventional string inverter systems.
Instead, they build “intelligent inverter systems” complete with power optimizers. Their mission is to optimize power generation at the panel level.
Their products have an impressive market share in Australia, with a growing foothold in Europe.
They are known for their panel-level monitoring and great customer service.
Can A Hybrid Grid-Tied Inverter Help Me Go Off-Grid?
The vast majority of home solar panel systems remain tied to the electricity grid. To go completely off-the-grid, you need to install enough battery capacity to power your home for multiple days at a time.
This means that your panels must be able to generate and retain enough electricity to keep you online during a grid outage.
If you are hoping to go completely off the grid, a hybrid inverter can help. Why? They are engineered to manage your solar panels, battery storage, and draw electricity from any backup sources of power, like an on-site generator at the same time.
Is a hybrid solar inverter worth it?
Despite the higher initial cost, a hybrid inverter can pay off in the long run by making your solar inverter system more efficient.
If you invest in a hybrid inverter, you will get access to advanced monitoring tools, reduce your reliance on the grid, lower your carbon footprint, and enhance your power generation.
A hybrid inverter can also keep your family safe during periods of rolling grid outages. The UK is currently planning for rolling power cuts in winter 2023, and while that scenario is unlikely in North America, investing in a hybrid inverter now can help you weather the storm.
If you want to learn more about inverter technology to find the right system for you and your home, connect with our team at Spark Change for an assessment.