Best Hybrid Inverter: Features and Top Recommendations

Many people interested in solar energy first started looking for hybrid inverter systems. Hybrid inverter systems provide on-grid and off-grid capability within the same unit. This means that if you are connected to the grid, you can keep it like this with this inverter. But you can also benefit from a battery system that can provide load shifting when connected to the grid, or backup energy in the event of a grid outage.

However, hybrid inverters can vary in size, performance, and features. So you may be confused: which one is the best hybrid inverter?

Therefore, in this article, we will focus on hybrid inverters. You can learn what is a hybrid inverter and how to choose the best hybrid inverter from this post. Keep scrolling.

An Introduction To Hybrid Inverters

Hybrid inverters are at the heart of any simple, high-cost solar cell storage system to store excess solar energy to increase self-consumption and provide backup power. These inverters work much like solar inverters, but also have an integrated battery charger and are connected in a simple unit. In order for the system to know when to charge or discharge the battery, the hybrid inverter requires an external energy meter (CT) to measure power consumption and software that can be programmed to determine the most efficient use of available solar or battery energy.

The hybrid inverter is a very simple and cost-effective way to increase battery storage. There are some limitations that hybrid inverters do have compared to dedicated off-grid battery inverters, however, primarily limited surge or peak power output during power outages. As well as this, some hybrid inverters have no backup power capacity or limited backup power. Therefore, only small or essential loads such as lighting and basic power circuits can be provided with backup power in the event of a power outage.

Four Types Of Hybrid Inverters

Basic Hybrid Inverter

The basic hybrid solar cell inverter functions like a grid-fed inverter. However, it also allows storage capacity for self-use in the battery system. The main disadvantage of a basic hybrid inverter is that it has no grid isolation, which means it can’t power your home in the event of a power outage. Therefore, a basic hybrid inverter is a good choice only when your grid supply is stable.

Multi-mode hybrid inverter with battery backup

The multi-mode hybrid inverter is an advanced solution in which backup power can be provided as a built-in or stand-alone unit when needed. These inverters can power your home, charge batteries, and send excess power to the grid. If the grid fails, the unit will change over to battery power and operate independently of the grid.

All-in-one hybrid energy storage system

The modern hybrid inverter usually works as a complete unit with a battery system. Such systems are referred to as battery energy storage systems (BESS). It can be installed on an existing solar installation in your home. With this kind of hybrid system comes a variety of sizes and features.

AC-coupled hybrid and off-grid systems

Typically, most hybrid systems consist of separate inverters that work together to form an AC-coupled system. Such systems typically have a standard solar inverter and an interactive or multi-mode battery inverter. Multimode inverters complete the energy management system as battery inverters and optimize energy usage with the help of software.

Above mentioned categories can help users to decide on the best product for them. However, it is recommended that as you research and estimate your energy usage before choosing a specific hybrid system inverter.

Functions Of Hybrid Solar Inverters 

The basic purpose of the inverter is to convert the DC input of the solar panel into an AC output that your home can use. Using hybrid solar inverters takes this process to the next level, including the following benefits:

DC to AC bidirectional power conversion

Usually, solar cells are charged by direct current received directly from the solar panel (DC coupling), or by a solar inverter (AC coupling) converted from AC power. And then to release that energy, the inverter needs to convert the stored DC power back to AC power. With a hybrid inverter and battery, it is possible for a single device to perform both functions at the same time. A hybrid grid-tied inverter can convert DC to AC to power your home, but it can also take AC from the grid and convert it into DC which can be stored in batteries for later use.

Power regulation

According to the time of day and weather patterns, solar power fluctuates with increasing and decreasing levels of sunlight. The hybrid inverter regulates this power which ensures that the entire system operates within the required parameters.

Power monitoring

With the solar hybrid grid-tie inverter, solar monitoring software can be provided to measure and monitor the PV system via a display or a connected smartphone app to help identify any faults.

Power maximization

Hybrid inverters with a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) check the solar output and correlate it with the battery voltage. This enables optimal power output and converts the DC to the optimal voltage to provide maximum charge to the battery. The MPPT ensures that the solar system operates efficiently under a variety of conditions, such as varying solar volumes, solar panel temperatures and electrical loads.

Advantages Of Hybrid Inverters

Hybrid inverters have many advantages – here are some top considerations as you’re comparing inverter solutions:

Elasticity

In a popular misconception about solar energy is that if you install a solar system, you will always have power in the event of a power outage. In most cases, this is incorrect: conventional grid-connected solar inverters automatically shut down for safety reasons in the event of a power outage, cutting off the solar panel system’s power generation.

In case you wish to use backup solar power in the event of a power outage on the grid, a hybrid inverter paired with a battery is a great solution. Some hybrid inverters have both on-grid and off-grid capabilities in order to continue using solar power even if the grid goes down.

Monitor

With the Hybrid Inverter, with one component all your solar power – whether fed into the grid, consumed at home itself or stored in the battery – is converted. In this way, “centralized monitoring” is achieved, i.e. you can monitor the performance of both the solar panel system and the battery from a single platform.

Retrofit The Battery Storage Device

A hybrid inverter has one of the greatest advantages in that it combines the functions of two separate devices. This means that the installation process for your solar installer is easier. Depending on the price of the individual components and the cost of labor, it can be less expensive to install a hybrid inverter than to purchase separate solar inverters and battery-specific inverters. However, if you don’t plan to add battery storage to your system, compare hybrid solutions to traditional, grid-tied solar inverters because they can be cheaper upfront.

5 Wonderful Features Of The Best Hybrid Inverter 

1. Economic advantages: There are many economic advantages of the best hybrid inverters over conventional systems. It can save you money on your energy bills and also help you reduce your carbon footprint.

2. Environmental sustainability: Another huge advantage of hybrid inverters is the environmental sustainability. They consume less energy and produce less waste than traditional systems.

3. Reduced noise level: The one of the benefits of using a hybrid inverter is that it produces less noise than a conventional system. For those of you who do not like to live in noisy environments, this is helpful.

4. Efficient: It is efficient to have a hybrid inverter, which means they can save you money on your energy bills. It can also improve your efficiency rating which means you will see lower overall energy consumption.

5. Increased durability: The construction of a hybrid inverter is long-lasting, which is one of its main advantages over traditional systems. They are more durable and are also easier to maintain overall.

Top 6 Best Hybrid Inverter Brands

PowMr

PowMr is a professional Global Solar Energy Innovative Application Company. It provides high-quality solar inverter charge including all-in-one solar inverters, hybrid inverters, Solar Charge Controllers, solar panels, Solar PV Connectors, wire connectors, and excellent overall solutions with professional services to fully meet the requirements of various types of photovoltaic modules. Its products can operate efficiently and stably in various environments.

Its products and services have been exported to more than 150 countries around the world in the past 10 years. 

Afore

Afore is a leading solar inverter manufacturer in China. Which has fourteen years of professional experience in R&D, manufacturing and sales of PV inverters. And it has established sales, warehousing and after-sales service centers in mainstream PV markets around the world, providing reliable quality and perfect service PV inverters and system solutions for customers in Europe, UK, Australia, China, India, Japan, North America, South America and other countries and regions.

Hybrid inverters are one of the product lines in Afore’s extensive range of products. Afore’s hybrid inverter range offers a variety of benefits for both domestic and commercial users, designed to increase energy independence and optimize energy management.

Examples include a wide power range, compatibility with multiple battery types, efficient energy management, UPS functionality, intelligent monitoring and remote upgrades, support for multiple communication protocols, high efficiency and reliability, extensive certifications and compliance, multiple MPPT channels, and built-in anti-reverse current functionality, to name a few.

Afore has always insisted on the concept of technological innovation. It not only provides partners and users with high-quality, intelligent PV inverter products, but also provides efficient local service and technical support. Ensure customers and users get stable and reliable return on investment!

Sgpwatt

Sgpwatt is a renewable energy company that was founded by a famous engineer in 2010. It is committed to providing green power solutions with solar inverters, low-frequency inverters, solar panels, and other green energy products. Each product from Sgpwatt is manufactured to the highest quality standards.

Constantly improved and innovated, the Sgpwatt inverter series can be used in a wide range of indoor and outdoor living residential, commercial, RV system, trailer or marine applications, perfect for your off-grid system or emergency backup power. With the high quality Sgpwatt inverters you will improve your mobile and outdoor living.

And Sgpwatt will do everything possible to make sure every customer has a good shopping experience. Sgpwatt is a company specializing in the production of electronic products. We have won the favor of our customers by virtue of our excellent products and have established cooperative relationships with buyers and traders in Europe, America, Australia and Southeast Asia.

Fronius

Fronius is one of the most trusted names in inverter technology, and with good reason—the company has been in the solar industry game since 1995. They manufacture some of the most reliable solar inverters on the market, including their flagship product: The Fronius Symo Hybrid.

The Fronius solar inverters are known for their ability to smoothly convert DC power from an array into usable AC power. With the combination of options, quality and durability, the inverters manufactured by this company are among the best in the solar industry.

Other solar inverters in their catalog include the Fronius Primo inverter and Fronius Eco models. One of the defining features of Fronius inverters is the massive backup battery storage and integrated DC isolator, making them highly practical for everyday use.

Soils

Solis inverter is considered one of the best because it can produce power between 1kW and 60kW, it provides a user-friendly monitoring application that makes it easier for you to understand the live readings, it comes with an IP65 rating to make it suitable for the Australian weather, Solis inverter is easy to install because it is lightweight and compact design.

With its advanced technology and dedication to product quality, Solis has been able to achieve rapid growth in revenues and profits for several years now. The solar inverter company attaches great importance to research and development in order to keep up with the high demand and ongoing trends in the field of renewable energies.

Solis’ inverters are safe, efficient, and reliable because they put the customer at the center of decision-making and ensure that customers can rely on them. Recently, Solis has presided over and participated in the formulation of more than ten national standards and industry standards, and formulated two national standards as the first drafting unit. They are one of the important setters and participants in the industry standard for PV string inverters.

Q Cells

Hanwha Q Cells (commonly referred to as Q CELLS) is a major manufacturer of photovoltaic solar cells. Founded in 1999 in Thalheim, Germany, and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, where it still maintains an engineering office, Q Cells was purchased by Hanwha Group, a major South Korean conglomerate, after it went bankrupt in August 2012. Q Cells now operates as a subsidiary of the energy and petrochemical company, Hanwha Solutions.

Q Cells has manufacturing facilities in China, Malaysia, South Korea, and the United States. It was the sixth largest solar cell producer in 2019, totaling 7.3 gigawatts of shipments.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a power solution with the capacity to handle heavy loads and variable AC voltages, a hybrid inverter is your best choice. Not only are hybrid inverters excellent at powering your home or business, but they are often more economical than standard inverters.

And if you want to buy the best hybrid inverter, you should make a complete comparison between different types of hybrid inverters.