When it comes to finding the best solar inverter for home PV systems, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different situations will require different types of inverters, depending on various factors such as budget and energy needs. That said, there are inverters that stand out as superior options. Read more about how to choose the best solar inverter for home power needs below.

What is a Solar Inverter for Home?

Many homes today utilize solar energy to provide electricity. A solar inverter for home refers to the type of inverter that is perfect for a home solar installation. In other words, it’s a solar inverter that’s sized to meet the specific power needs of a typical home.

Just like there are several options for home solar systems, the inverters to use used also vary. You could choose a grid-tie inverter, battery-backed inverter, or hybrid solar inverter. In order to help you choose the best solar inverter for your home, let’s take a deeper look into the three main types of solar inverter systems.

Grid Tie Inverter for Home

A grid-tie inverter for solar home systems is designed to work in conjunction with the utility grid. When your solar array produces more electricity than you need, the inverter will send the excess to the utility company. Conversely, when your home solar system isn’t producing enough electricity, the grid will provide the needed power.

A grid-connected inverter is a good choice if you live in an area with a reliable supply of power. This type of inverter is also less expensive than other types and will save a lot on purchase and installation costs. On the downside, the grid-tie inverter won’t work if you lose power from your grid.

Battery Inverter for home

A battery backup inverter for home solar systems does not connect to the grid. Instead, it includes a battery backup to store power. This type of inverter uses the electricity stored in the batteries when there isn’t enough sunlight and is usually an off-grid inverter.

The advantages of a battery backed inverter include the fact that you won’t need to rely on the utility grid and outages will not affect your energy supply. However, because storage batteries are expensive (both to buy and maintain), this type of inverter means a more costly installation.

Hybrid Solar Inverter for Home

A hybrid solar inverter for home is a combination of a grid-tie inverter and battery-backed inverter. It includes both the ability to connect to the utility grid and the capacity to store electricity in batteries. That means reliable power for your home even in the event of a blackout.

Our best advice is to choose this solar energy system if you want the option to connect to the grid at some point in the future, or if you live in an area with less reliable utilities. Be prepared to spend more on this type of inverter than you would on other options, though, as hybrid inverters are costly devices.

How to Choose the Best Solar Inverter for Home

Now that you’re aware of the three main types of solar inverter systems, you may be wondering how to choose the best inverter to go with them. As we indicated earlier, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best solar inverter for your home will depend on various factors, as outlined below.

1. Solar Inverter Type

Whether you go for a grid-tie or off-grid system, you will need to select the right type of inverter to go with it. Your options in this situation will be a standalone string inverter, string inverter with DC current optimizers, or microinverters.

• A string home inverter system is your most affordable option and best if on a tight budget, or if your installation is large and you want to keep costs down. However, it will best suit areas where solar panels are not prone to shading and other factors that reduce panel efficiency.
• A string inverter-power optimizer combination is your best choice to overcome shading problems. Cheaper than microinverters, optimizers help to maximize power output from individual panels, so your system will still perform well even if there is some shading.
• If you’re looking for efficiency in your home solar power installation, go with microinverters. These will cost more upfront but offer the highest level of performance. Other advantages include panel-level monitoring and easier scalability.

2. Your Location

Your location has an impact on the type of solar inverter for home systems. For example, if you live in an area with frequent outages from your utility grid, but a lot of sunlight, then an off-grid string inverter with battery backup will be your best choice.

On the other hand, if your local utilities are reliable and have good rates for energy exports to the grid, then a grid-tie microinverter system will make more sense. Or you could choose a grid-tied string inverter, but only if your panels receive sunlight throughout without shading.

For cloudy regions that also experience high temperatures, we recommend microinverters or power optimizers, regardless of whether it’s an on-grid or off-grid system. These will help ensure that every panel produces as much power as possible.

3. Your Budget

The cost of solar inverter for home needs is another important factor. Solar inverters vary widely in price, so it’s important to consider your budget when selecting a system. String inverters are the cheapest, followed by power optimizers and microinverters in that order.

Depending on your system requirements, though, you may need to spend more for a high-quality inverter that can withstand heavy load and weather fluctuations, or you may settle for a cheaper option if your system isn’t as large or critical.

Be sure to set aside extra funds for other components too, such as wiring and installation, so you don’t end up exceeding your budget in the long run. When selecting your home solar system’s inverter, be sure to take into account the long-term cost of ownership, including maintenance and replacement costs.

4. The Solar System Size

The size of your solar array will have an impact on the type of solar inverter for home applications. A small system is typically around 2 kilowatts (kW), while a larger system could be 10kW or more. A larger and more complex system will require a more powerful and sophisticated inverter, while a smaller system can get by with a less expensive option.

If you are installing a smaller system, then a microinverter or power optimizer will be the best choice. This is because these inverters are specifically designed to work with small solar arrays, and help maximize the output from each individual panel.

For a larger solar power inverter for home use, a string inverter can be a good option. These offer a more cost-effective solution for larger arrays, and can still provide good performance. However, if you are installing a very large system then a central inverter may be the best choice, as this will offer the largest capacity.

Conclusion

Overall, choosing the best solar inverter for your home can be a complex process depending on factors like your location and power needs. Once you have a good idea of which type and model will work best for your home and lifestyle, you can have peace of mind that your solar energy system will continue to provide clean, affordable power for many years to come.​