Would you like to maximise the production of your photovoltaic installation?
We imagine that you would, but achieving this requires paying attention to both the quality of the panels and to the solar inverters, the element of the system that transforms the solar energy into electricity suitable for consumption.
However, there are different models on the market depending on their efficiency, type of installation, guarantees and other factors, which make the search for the most suitable model a lengthy one.
For this reason, our solar energy experts have analysed the main brands and have created a list of the best solar inverters of the moment together with an updated guide that will give you the keys to choose the most suitable model for your needs.
The 5 best solar inverters on the market.
Throughout the article we will detail the characteristics of each inverter.
Here you have the best rated inverters based on our analysis and research to find the most effective and that, to date, we use with our clients.
Fronius Primo
The Austrian brand Fronius inverters have maintained their position at the top of the solar inverter ranking.
Why are they one of the market favourites?
Thanks to their performance and reliability, without forgetting a great technical support and repair service in case of failure or breakdown.
Source: Fronius
Although these components do not usually cause problems, it is important that they offer good customer service in Spain to facilitate communication or, alternatively, within the European framework.
These qualities have made the company a good alternative for both residential and industrial self-consumption.
Focusing on the Fronius Primo inverter, it has an efficiency of around 98%, but it is not only characterised by its high efficiency, but also by its quality and low incidence rate.
Although there are several models in this line, the difference lies in the power of the PV system.
We can distinguish several powers in a range between 3 kW and 8.2 kW, making it an interesting option for houses with a standard energy consumption.
With active cooling system
What does this mean?
Active ventilation prevents hot spots and regulates air circulation inside the device. This keeps the temperature at a low level.
On the other hand, it has Snapinverter technology, which facilitates the assembly of the inverter as well as maintenance.
Furthermore,its Superflex design gives the device versatility, so that we can optimise production even if there are several roof orientations or shades.
Other outstanding features of this model:
- It has a wireless WLAN connection, Ethernet, web server and energy management. What’s more, it includes a multitude of interfaces to track your home’s PV production and consumption.
- It is compatible with new developments in electricity grids thanks to its Smart Grid Ready technology.
- Several electricity companies currently require the power with which the surpluses produced are fed into the grid to be adapted, and the Fronius Primo inverter is capable of carrying out this adaptation.
Finally,its monitoring tool will give you access to determine which appliances consume excess energy and analyse and optimise energy consumption to get the most out of your installation.
Fronius Symo
The Fronius Symo inverter is used for three-phase installations. It is true that they are less used in homes, but we can find them in large homes or with electrical appliances that require this type of installation.
In addition, they are an ideal option for roofs with several orientations or installations with irregular surfaces.
Like the Fronius Primo, it offers intelligent monitoring solutions.
In this case, the power range is wider due to the type of installation. It varies between 3 kW and 20 kW. At the same time, it is compatible with system outputs from 4.5 kWp to 15 kWp.
And when it comes to efficiency, it exceeds 98%.
Finally, an important point not to forget is the warranty. Fronius offers 7 years for these components, but this can be extended to 9 or 10 years if you register on the website.
Huawei SUN2000 inverter
Huawei is known for marketing inverters with a good price-performance ratio.
Source: Huawei
The Korean company also presents solutions for single-phase and three-phase installations with the following power ratings:
- Single-phase installations: SUN2000-2/3/3.68/4/4.6/5/6KTL-L1.
- Three-phase installations: SUN2000-3/4/5/6/8/10KTL-M1.
Firstly, single-phase inverters – most common in homes – have nominal power ratings of between 2 kWh and 6 kWh. Three-phase inverters, on the other hand, are rated between 3 kWh and 10 kWh.
Both models are hybrid and exceed 98% efficiency. They also work in isolated installations. This is one of the features we like the most because of its versatility.
Be careful because, in addition to working for various installations, they have a failure rate of less than 0.5% and their active arc flash protection reduces the risk of fire.
Other points to mention about the Huawei solar inverter are:
- It comes with a 10-year warranty in Europe.
- It is compatible with the Huawei Smart Power Sensor energy meter. This element helps to better monitor photovoltaic production.
- Its FusionSolar application provides real-time data and intelligent consumption control.
Enphase microinverters
Enphase microinverters deserve to be part of this list thanks to their adaptability to any type of roof.
The reason is that this device is an ideal option for shaded roofs in most of the year, avoiding losing performance day after day.
Because if a solar panel fails, it does not affect the rest of the installation, but only the individually connected panel.
For this reason,they are a good alternative if: You have partial shading for a large part of the year.
- You have partial shade during a large part of the year.
- Your house has several orientations.
- You want to extend the system in the future.
Source: Enphase
Below we show you the characteristics of the Enphase microinverters:
- They are compatible with a wide range of 60 and 72-cell modules.
- The models used for households are IQ7, IQ7+ and IQ7A. Their installation is simpler and faster, hence the meaning of the letter Q for Quick. Its translation means quick.
- Unlike the other inverters, the American company offers one of the most attractive warranties with up to 25 years of coverage. Please note that they must be connected to the Envoy device, otherwise it will be 23 years.
Note: IQ microinverters require an Envoy-S for performance monitoring. Q accessories only work with this Enphase range, i.e. the IQ series.
Reliable, versatile and safe
On the other hand, their reliability is demonstrated by a failure rate of less than 0.05%. .
Safety is also one of its main pillars. By installing them individually in each panel, the risk of high voltages is reduced.
And that’s not all.
Because their power allows them to produce energy independently. This means that if a module is affected, the production of the rest of the panels will not be reduced and the installation will continue to function.
In addition, if in the future you need to expand the system because your consumption needs change, microinverters facilitate this modification.
You may also want to take a look at our article on the differences between micro inverters and inverters.
Sungrow Investor.
The Sungrow inverters have certain peculiarities that we do not see in other models.
This Asian brand is one of the few companies to include a backup box function in the inverter itself.
But they are also hybrid systems able to store energy and convert it. They are designed to optimise resources and avoid excess energy surpluses to the grid.
Source: Sungrow
And that is not all.
Because, unlike other devices, it is one of the manufacturers that has more compatibility with other brands such as, for example, BYD, Axitec or LG batteries.
On the other hand, what has caught our attention is that it is compatible with a home management system (HEMS). This method will revolutionise the way we manage energy.
We explain why.
A HEMS is a system that monitors and controls the generation, storage and consumption of energy in the home with a clear objective:
Optimise energy production.
In this way, we achieve:
- Reduce costs
- Maximise self-sufficiency
- Minimise emissions
It also offers high performance and maximum efficiency of up to 98%, as well as fast charging and discharging to improve self-sufficiency results.
To monitor the system, we have the iSolarCloud app. It ensures that everything is in perfect working order and, in the event of any problems, the system will immediately report them to technical support.
It also displays data in real time and you have 24/7 monitoring both online and on the integrated display.
On the other hand, the Sungrow inverter has a 10-year warranty with the possibility of a 5-year extension if you pay a small amount more. Anyway, it meets the deadlines of most devices.
Finally, here are the models we use at SolarMente:
- SH3.0/3.6/4.0/5.0/6.0RS: single-phase installations.
- SH5.0/6.0/8.0/8.0/10RT: three-phase installations.
Comparison of the best solar inverters in 2023.
Here we show you a summary table with the main characteristics of the solar inverters we have analysed.
Note: if you see the table on your mobile phone, scroll with your finger to see it in full.
| Model. | Fronius Primo | Fronius Symo | Huawei SUN2000 | Enphase | Sungrow |
| Efficiency | 98% | 98% | 97,5% | 98% | |
| Type of installation | Single-phase | Three-phase | Single-phase and three-phase | Single-phase and three-phase | Single-phase and three-phase |
| Warranty | 7 years* (extendable) | 7 years* (extendable) | 10 years | 25 years | 10 years (extendable) |
| Extendable? | Limited by installed power | Limited by installed power | Limited by installed power | Yes | Limited by installed power |
| Compatibility with other brands | BYD Batteries | BYD Batteries | Huawei batteries only | Enphase batteries only | BYD, LG, Axitec Batteries |
Tips for choosing the best solar inverter
If you are going to install solar panels on your roof and want to maximise the yield of your system, you need to consider which solar inverter is right for you.
Often we focus only on the quality of the photovoltaic modules and we are not aware that the inverter is an essential element for the operation of the installation and enjoy the electricity from solar energy.
That is why it is key to choose the right model for you.
How do you know which is the best inverter for your home?.
If you are not sure, don’t worry. We help you with the following guide that includes the main features to check.
Efficiency
The first criterion to be taken into account is efficiency, i.e. the ability of the device to transform the energy generated by the solar panels into electricity suitable for domestic consumption. Therefore, the lower the losses, the more efficient the inverter.
Take a look.
Here is an example to help you understand it better.
If you install a photovoltaic system with an inverter with an efficiency of 97%, this means that, in the conversion from direct current to alternating current, it loses 3% of electricity.
In our list of the best solar inverters, all devices exceed 97% efficiency.
Pay close attention to this criterion to avoid problems in the future.
Warranties.
Most of these devices have a useful life of around 12 years, but their warranty is established between 6 and 12 years with the possibility of extension according to the conditions established by the manufacturers of solar inverters.
Some, such as Enphase microinverters, come with a 25-year warranty.
It is important to check the product guarantees, but don’t forget to pay attention to the stability of the company. Find out about their track record, financial strength and quality of materials.
Price
Let’s not forget that price is one of the main factors we look at when buying any product.
And although we tend to go for the cheapest, it is not advisable to focus all our attention on this criterion.
Remember that it is a component of the installation that should last at least 10 years and, if you go for the cheapest, it can sometimes be more expensive.
It is a question of choosing the best inverter for your roof in terms of price and quality.
Remember that the cheapest inverters do not always include all the necessary components that those with superior quality already do.
Is it compatible with other components?
The compatibility of an inverter shows whether it can be synchronised with other system components such as solar batteries or electric car chargers.
Check whether they can be used with other brands or only with items from the same manufacturer.
It is important to know the compatibility of the inverters if you want to add elements to the installation at a later date.
Some manufacturers limit the use to their own products, others, however, extend the range to models from other companies.
Can the installation be extended? .
The million-dollar question could not be missed.
“Can I expand the system with any solar inverter?
Yes, but the process is more tedious with a central device than if you choose a microinverter.
If you want to avoid complications and have sufficient budget, microinverters make scaling up easier.
Remember that they are individual devices that are added to each solar panel. As your energy needs change, you can add more modules to your roof.
However, string inverters allow you to increase the installation up to a set limit.
Unfortunately, if the inverter capacity is exceeded, you will have to purchase a new component to produce power from the increased system.
Quality of the monitoring
Knowing how the manufacturer’s monitoring platforms work is essential.
Is the interface simple?
What is the point of installing solar panels on your house if you cannot analyse production and consumption?
To save money easily, it is important to understand the applications and to know the data in real time. If it is working, if there are any faults, which devices are consuming the most energy.
Companies are aware and are paying more and more attention to this function.
Technical Support
It may not be the first criterion you look at, but let’s not forget that customer support is critical if any breakdown occurs.
There are a couple of things to consider.
Firstly, make sure that the brands work with a reputable, transparent and trustworthy solar company, i.e. the company you hire to carry out your installation.
If you decide to switch to self-consumption with us, either by:
- The purchase of your installation.
- The rental of your solar panels (solar subscription).
We will be available to guide you through the process in case of any incident.
And secondly, find out if the manufacturer has technical service in Spain or Europe. In this way, the response time is reduced and the solution to the fault can be executed faster.
The world’s leading inverter manufacturers.
The factors we have just seen, such as efficiency, warranties and prices, influence the ranking of the world’s leading inverter manufacturers.
According to a study carried out by Wood Mackenzie, the top 10 positions occupy 82% of the world market, where more than 40% is distributed between the first two positions.
Here is a list of the largest manufacturers of solar inverters for homes:
- Huawei
- Sungrow
- Fronius
- Growatt
- Ginlong Solis
- GoodWe
- SMA
- SolarEdge
- ABB
- Enphase
- Delta
- Solax Power
- Ingeteam
At SolarMente, we look for the highest quality devices on the market. Those that last their entire useful life, without the need for repairs every few years.
For this reason, we work under rigorous quality standards that seek to acquire the materials that achieve maximum profitability.
Are you sure about which solar inverter to choose? .
In this article we have compiled the best solar inverters based on tests carried out by our team of solar experts.
There is no perfect inverter for every home.Each roof has particular characteristics that make each installation different. The choice will be made on the basis of the roof and energy needs.
Therefore, there is no one answer better than another.
That is why, at SolarMente, we design customised self-consumption installations. We offer you the inverter that provides the best performance for your system.
