The heart of every good solar system is an inverter. Without a highly functional one Solar inverter, a roof panel system is basically useless. But understanding what makes an inverter “good” or “best” is no easy task.
With so much industry jargon in the solar market, it can sometimes be a bit of a chore to find a good quality inverter. To help you find a good solar inverter, Canstar Blue has compiled a list of some of the best solar inverters in Australia right now. By comparing factors like efficiency, warranty, price, and system features, we share some of the top brands to keep in mind when looking for a new inverter.
Please note, however, that this advice is only of a general nature. Before making a purchase decision, it is best to check with a licensed solar installer and continue to discuss these options.
To see what some of the best solar inverters in Australia are for 2021, check out the list below. To learn more about each inverter, click the links.
The best solar inverters in Australia 2021
- Overall best inverter: Fronius Primo
- Best inverter – efficiency: Sungrow Premium
- Best inverter guarantee: SolarEdge HD Wave
- Best inverter – unique features: SMA Sunny Boy
- Best inverter price: Goodwe DNS
- Best inverter – battery ready: Huawei Sun2000
Overall best inverter: Fronius Primo
One of the best solar inverters in Australia is arguably that Fronius Primo. As a single phase device that comes in a variety of sizes, this inverter is a huge favorite among Aussies, often valued for its innovative technologies, high efficiency, and intelligent communication and monitoring software. All Fronius Primo inverters come with a standard five-year guarantee, but according to the Fronius website, consumers can receive an additional five-year guarantee if they register their inverter on Fronius Solar.web – the company's software that records and shares system data via an online portal and a mobile app accessible to customers.
Price estimate: $ 1,500 to $ 3,000 *
* This estimate does not take into account installation costs
Available sizes: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8.2 kW
The good thing about this inverter:
- High efficiency of max. 98.1%
- SnapINverter technology that makes it easy to remove for maintenance
- Uses the integrated data communication so that solar customers can see how their system is working via an app on their phone or online
What to look out for:
- Slightly more expensive than the average inverter price
- Only works up to an inverter size of 8.2 kW
- Not ready for solar battery
Best inverter – efficiency: Sungrow Premium
The Sungrow Premium is considered to be one of the most efficient solar inverters in Australia. With high and reliable performance and a lower price than other models on the market, the Sungrow Premium is slowly making a name for itself in the Australian solar community, and some even consider this inverter to be on par with the popular Fronius. All Sungrow inverters are also covered by a standard 10-year guarantee.
Price estimate: $ 900- $ 2,000 *
* This estimate does not take into account installation costs
Available sizes: 2, 2.5, 3, 5, 8kW
The good thing about this inverter:
- Very efficient with a maximum efficiency of 98.2-98.5%, depending on the model size
- Lower upfront costs
- 24-hour online system driving available via app or the web
What to look out for:
- Not ready for solar battery
- Consumption monitoring not considered the best
- Emergency power (in the event of a power failure or off-grid operation) limited to only three Kilowatt (kW)
Best inverter guarantee: SolarEdge HD Wave
When it comes to an inverter with quality guarantee standards, you can't stop by the SolarEdge HD Wave with its huge 12-year offer. But it's not just the extended warranty that makes this inverter one of the best in Australia. Thanks to the use of power optimizers – plug-ins that can be added to your modules to maximize efficiency – SolarEdge inverters can withstand and compensate for the effects of shading on your system so that it is at full capacity at all times can be operated day.
Price estimate: $ 1,200 to $ 2,800 *
* This estimate does not take into account installation costs or additional system upgrades
Available sizes: 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10kW
The good thing about this inverter:
- Utilizes power optimizers to increase system efficiency, even in shady areas
- Inverters available in sizes up to 10kW
- Extremely efficient with a maximum of 99.2%
What to look out for:
- One of the most expensive models on the market
- Runs at a higher voltage than other inverters
- Increased probability of failures and technical problems compared to other inverters due to additional electronics on the panels for power optimizers
Solar energy plans
Some retailers offer their electricity customers special solar tariffs that are equipped with a higher or special feed-in tariff. To see which solar plans are offered in your state, click the appropriate tab below.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers in our database. These costs are based on the Sydney Ausgrid network, but prices will vary based on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, sorted by lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume a general energy consumption of 3900 kWh / year for a private customer at a uniform tariff. Price estimates without credits for the solar feed-in tariff. These are products from referral partners †. Our database may not cover all offers in your area. Please visit the dealer websites for the latest information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers in our database. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne, but prices will vary based on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, sorted by lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume a general energy consumption of 4000 kWh / year for a private customer at a uniform tariff. Price estimates without credits for the solar feed-in tariff. These are products from referral partners †. Our database may not cover all offers in your area. Please visit the dealer websites for the latest information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers in our database. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane, but prices will vary based on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, sorted by lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume a general energy consumption of 4600 kWh / year for a private customer at a uniform tariff. Price estimates without credits for the solar feed-in tariff. These are products from referral partners †. Our database may not cover all offers in your area. Please visit the dealer websites for the latest information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers in our database. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide, but prices will vary based on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, sorted by lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume a general energy consumption of 4000 kWh / year for a private customer at a uniform tariff. Price estimates without credits for the solar feed-in tariff. These are products from referral partners †. Our database may not cover all offers in your area. Please visit the dealer websites for the latest information.
Best inverter – unique features: SMA Sunny Boy
If you are looking for a small, compact and efficient inverter for your home, you have come to the right place with the SMA Sunny Boy. Praised for its patented specialty Shadefix – a function that takes shading into account and controls the system based on this influence – the Sunny Boy is easy to care for and efficient in operation – and is therefore one of the best solar inverters for homeowners. SMA inverters come with a five-year warranty as standard, but extended warranty options are available.
Price estimate: $ 1,200 to $ 2,500 *
* This estimate does not take into account installation costs
Available sizes: 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.6, 4, 5, 6kW
The good thing about this inverter:
- Uses the special "Shadefix" technology to ensure the optimal operation of the system, even when it is shaded or covered
- Pretty efficient with 97% maximum efficiency
- Small and compact, takes up minimal space
What to look out for:
- Lack of internal system monitoring
- Higher price than the average inverter
- Only available in sizes up to 6kW
Best inverter price: Goodwe DNS
Not all high quality, efficient inverters come at a high price point, as is the case with Goodwe's DNS series. If you're looking for a quality inverter at an affordable price, a DNS is probably worth a look. With a highly intelligent monitoring system and a waterproof, low-noise design, this inverter is considered a decent entry-level system that should only leave you around $ 800 out of your pocket. Goodwe's DNS range comes with a five-year warranty as standard; however, this can be extended to up to 25 years at an additional cost.
Price estimate: $ 600- $ 900 *
* This estimate does not take into account installation costs
Available sizes: 1.5, 2, 3, 3.6, 4.2, 5, 6kW
The good thing about this inverter:
- Affordable price
- Access to the Goodwe SEMS system monitoring portal which shows detailed monitoring of the solar PV system
- Maximum efficiency of 97.8%
What to look out for:
- Only available in sizes up to 6kW
- Smaller standard warranty period
- No built-in DC isolator that makes it difficult to disconnect from the system for maintenance.
advertising
Over the past 12 years, SolarQuotes® has steadily built a network of carefully tested solar installers. Receive up to 3 free and non-binding offers from highly qualified installers.
Best inverter – battery storage: Huawei Sun2000
If you are looking for an inverter that offers a high level of efficiency for your solar power generation, but is also highly compatible and ready for use operate a battery system, then you should take a look at the Huawei Sun2000 model. As a hybrid inverter, the Sun2000 from Huawei is equipped and ready for connection to a compatible battery without the need for additional devices or conversions, as is the case with other popular inverter models. Huawei is also quite a respected brand in the solar battery market and offers some of the best battery storage for inverters. As standard, Huawei inverters are also supplied with a 10-year guarantee.
Price estimate: $ 1,200 to $ 1,800 *
* This estimate does not take into account installation costs
Available sizes: 2, 3, 3.6, 4, 4.6, 5, 6kW
The good thing about this inverter:
- Hybrid inverter, which means it is ready for solar batteries
- Highly efficient, max. 98.4%
- Has an integrated "Smart PV Safety" function that records important system data and saves it in the event of system malfunctions
What to look out for:
- Not suitable for homes in coastal areas or areas prone to sea breezes
- A battery system cannot be operated sufficiently independently of the mains or during a power failure
- Only available in sizes up to 6kW
Why do you need an inverter for solar modules?
Without an inverter, the solar energy collected by your modules has no real place and is practically useless. What exactly does an inverter do for solar modules? Well, it is the inverter that is responsible for converting the electricity generated by your solar panels into household-compatible energy. Energy that is drawn directly from the sun comes in what is known as "DC" form, but household appliances are usually operated with "AC" electricity. Without an inverter to convert this energy from one form to another, the solar energy you generate will be useless in the house.
Photo credits: Imagepocket / Shutterstock.com, Fronius website, Sungrow website, SolarEdge website, SMA website, Goodwe website, Huawei Solar website / Shutterstock.com