How To Choose A Solar Inverter In 2023

With so many solar inverter brands available in Australia in 2023, how do you choose a good one? See the brands I'd be happy to have installed on my own home and learn how to select the right inverter for your solar installation.
00:00 - Introduction
00:29 - Two types of inverters
01:04 - Important advice!
01:20 - Recommended brands in 2023
01:45 - Microinverter/optimizer benefits
02:53 - 3-phase inverter benefits
03:14 - Inverters and oversized PV arrays
04:15 - Inverter warranty
04:39 - Adding batteries
05:13 - Consumption monitoring
** You can see inverter brands I currently recommend on the trusted inverter brands chart on my website, which is always kept up to date:
www.solarquotes.com.au/solar1...
** You can also read more about inverters here:
www.solarquotes.com.au/invert...
Have a question about choosing an inverter? Feel free to ask in the comments section below - and don't forget to subscribe to this channel :)

[@stevesedio1656]

We went with SMA, and were happy until we added whole house batteries, with a charger and transfer switch (disconnects the grid during a power outage, and powers your home with solar and battery). For that, I've been happy with Sol-Ark. Another thing to consider is charging an EV. I'm in Southern California, where electricity is very expensive, with the lowest rate from midnight to 6AM. I would like to charge my car off excess solar, after the battery is charged and the home load is satisfied. My existing system doesn't do that. I would also like to use my car battery to power my home if needed. Sol-Ark is working on a bidirectional car charger.

[@CreatedTech]

Hi Finn, what are your thoughts on Origin as an installer? I'm in Brisbane, they've quoted $8200 for a 11kW system consisting of 11kW JA Solar panels and a 8.5kW GoodWe inverter. They have a guaranteed FiT of 14c (locked in for 24 months) and also 48 months interest free on the whole package which seems like a great deal. Would love to hear your opinion, thanks in advance!

[@SolarQuotes]

I’m not a fan of Origin as an installer. I prefer small/medium local companies where you have a direct line to the management if you need support. With Origin you’ll deal with a call centre. If you choose to go with them ensure you have a pre install inspection and agree where everything is going and where they can and can’t put conduit. Ensure your monitoring is working before they leave. Consider getting a solar analytics to talk to the Goodwe inverter to monitor performance.

[@Electronzap]

Sounds good.

[@nguyenthanhbichny8157]

Hi, is Solis inverter good? Compare with Growatt? Thank you.

[@davidfisher4281]

I'm in Thailand. I currently have a hybrid 48 volt all in one RiioSun inverter (Chinese) with 5 batteries. These inverters do not put excess electricity back on to the grid. Do any of the reputable brands you suggest offer all in one inverters?

[@Nerdificationing]

What do you think of microinverters vs SECOND string inverter for EXPANDING existing solar?

[@VillSid]

P1 meters are much cheaper and they do provide consumption and sometimes export stats... is there a difference to the monitors you showed?

[@jazzcardashcam]

Does Enphase systems show all produced, used, imported, exported? or do I need to ask my installer for something extra?

[@SolarQuotes]

You need the Envoy S :)

[@Vivrichards1]

Hi Finn, is it best to get house upgraded to 3 phase in advance of putting in a large system or should it all be done in the one hit (at time of installation )? I want to install 10-15KW system with at least 1 battery.

[@SolarQuotes]

I'd do it as a separate job before the installation. Your installer may be able to do it - but more likely they'll recommend another electrical company that specialises in that kind of job.

[@Vivrichards1]

Thanks. Great video again

[@Vivrichards1]

@@nateb3105 thanks Nate

[@SolarQuotes]

@@nateb3105 Feed in tariffs are getting better and better *if* you take advantage of dynamic pricing with a battery. Fronius 8kW 3-phase inverter is ~20% ($600) more than single-phase. Well worth it. If you build a house with a single-phase connection to save a few hundred dollars, you're mad. Upgrading? Depends on the cost, which will vary wildly depending how your home is wired to the street. An all-electric home with 2 EVs on single phase? Good luck with that.

[@douglasdms777]

Just tried to quote for a battery in queensland, I have a 8.2kw inverter so AGL dismissed as it will go above the inverter limit imposed by energex (the battery also has an inverter). I wonder if they will ask us to use the aircon on 26 degrees in the summer to help the grid at night.... Then tried Origin and their installers insisted it is impossible to have the battery charge via solar panels if the grid is down... ok, 20k for a battery to still be tied to the grid, hell no.

[@SolarQuotes]

Origin are wrong (quite common!). You may have to use a single hybrid inverter (Sungrow is good for this - and it will backup and charge from solar without the grid) to stay under the inverter limit.

[@giorgiomigliaccio772]

What are your thoughts on Axitec panels and Solax inverters?

[@SolarQuotes]

Neither brand is one we can recommend

[@jechoniassushant8463]

Hi Finn, What do you think of Solplanet Inverters?

[@SolarQuotes]

A newer product - haven't heard too much about their performance in the market.

[@toby9999]

I want to install a solar system but I'm confused over the government rebate system. No one can explain the process, who does what and when etc. EDIT: Actually, I've only just discovered that you (SolarQuotes) answered my similar question under a previous video, so I'll investigate. Thanks.

[@SolarQuotes]

solarquotes.com.au/panels/rebate/

[@jmx318]

Hi fin about to buy a solar system and the company are strongly recommending a huawei inverter!! Thoughts mate?

[@SolarQuotes]

Huawei is a brand I recommend :)

[@karl7796]

What about a 2 Phase system, do you need two single phase inverters?

[@shiteshkumartiwari4554]

No.

[@gregburden8898]

Hi Finn can you tell me where to get that simple shade hood ?

[@SolarQuotes]

There's a lot of different products out there - including one sold by bunnings: www.bunnings.com.au/altamonte-1200-x-700mm-siena-tinted-canopy-with-plastic-bracket_p1010476

[@gregburden8898]

@@SolarQuotes Thanks for that

[@freddy1571]

Right on Finn.I got 2 Altamonte ,and they perfectly shaded both my battery and inverter all day.Cheers.

[@sale666]

Hold on can you explain this oversizing again because it sounds crazy! Lets say my inverter allows 600v and I have 500w panels with 52v each so if I put 15 of them I would have 780v that would kill the inverter and thats no counting when it gets cold and panels go to 60v each than it fried 100%... Could you elaborate this "overpaneling"??

[@SolarQuotes]

you are oversizing watts not volts (or amps). You still need a string design that respects the current and voltage window of the inverter inputs

[@sale666]

@@SolarQuotes ahhh ok I get it I really was wondering what the "oversizing" means! Thanks! I believe some inverters have this in mind allready take a look at huawei single phase KTL 6 L1 its a 6kw inverter and in spec sheets they say 9000w of panels

[@janeyong-hq2wb]

Is the enphase microinvertor stilll a good brand?

[@SolarQuotes]

Yes :)

[@theproducer6556]

I have a 12 y.o 1.5kW solar system only single phase inverter but electrical system is 3 phase. Can this system converted to 3 phase inverter and supply my day time consumption instead feeding to the grid.

[@bh25jay]

Only the inverted need to be changed, but that only will not produce more electricity all ny itself, fist of all you need more panels rather then 3 phase inverter.

[@theproducer6556]

@@bh25jay I'm adding a separate 6.6 kW system.

[@bh25jay]

@@theproducer6556 you will have to get a new 3 phase inverter, then get all the system wired tohether and split it on 2 strings.

[@theproducer6556]

@@bh25jay thank you. I hope it will not decrease the efficiency of the new panels.

[@bh25jay]

@@theproducer6556 relax, it won't 🙂

[@alaboutcars7426]

Are growatt inverters considered reliable?

[@SolarQuotes]

They're not a brand we'd recommend to a friend - see here for ones we do recommend: www.solarquotes.com.au/solar101.html#inverterchart

[@jessedanielryder]

Theyre very popular and seem to be on par with Fronius. Why is growatt not recommended

[@SolarQuotes]

@@jessedanielryder Short answer is - their older models had a bad reputation. Their newest one is getting more positive feedback - but we're very conservative with brands we recommend and so we're going to give them a lot more time in the market.

[@vaskodimoski5690]

I have one house with growatt over 10years old no issues and another 5 years no issue and a sma over 10 years old Growatt is all good

[@bh25jay]

Are huawei inverters reliable?

[@SolarQuotes]

We've only heard good things :)

[@bh25jay]

@@SolarQuotes glad to hear that. I have a 3 phase 6kw pv panels with a 4kw huawei inverter on 2 strings. Works great 😎

[@josephinehenry8236]

Simpel 😂

[@eumakant]

many things are relevant to new zealand as well

[@toby9999]

I'm guessing you'd want to be in the North Island or the top of the South? I lived in Dunedin for 8 years and I doubt there would be enough sun most of the year?

[@pjmNZ]

I'm in Christchurch and plenty here!!! Sunny blue sky but cold temperatures are great for production!!

[@eumakant]

@@pjmNZ i am also in christchurch we just got our own house i will be buying pv components and have a electrician who can put it up for me , i am thinking of longi 415 w 17 panels on a 5 kw sungrow single phase + sungrow consumption monitor

[@eumakant]

@@toby9999 you will have to check local houses in dunedin , I live in christchurch and i see a gradual uptake of solar , i will also be adding extra panels ie example foronius can take 7.5 kw on a 5 kw invertor, i will be doing +33 % may be on sungrow or growatt, hauwei can take 10 kw with micro string optimiser + inverter 5 kw . i will be installing water heat pump as base load , and each bedroom i shall install 400 w air midea heat pumps 2kw it has 4.85 acop , my city gets 5.9 average sunshine a day in a year , which is good enough to justify pv cost and i willl be buying pv components by my self + get a electrician to do code of compliance its about 1/3 cheaperthis way

[@Fritsvrolijk]

Keep it simpel get a Growatt

[@SolarQuotes]

i could make a joke about simpel people getting Growatts - but that would be mean so I won't

[@Fritsvrolijk]

@@SolarQuotes almost the biggest seller of inverters in the world 🌎 Make your joke

[@Kiwigeo8339]

@@Fritsvrolijk almost? LOL!

[@scrapyardwars]

$500 dollar consumption meter what a joke. Buy an eastron unit.