A hybrid solar inverter is equipment that is created by combining a solar inverter and a battery inverter in a single unit. This allows the hybrid solar inverter to intelligently manage energy from solar panels, solar batteries and the power grid at the same time. In a nutshell, the hybrid inverter is both an inverter and a rectifier in a sleek, form-fitting package. You can take direct current energy from solar panels and invest it in AC energy that can be used in your home, and you can take AC power from the grid and use it to store direct current energy in batteries.
Some hybrid inverters have several modes, which can be configured to provide power to essential household circuits when the grid is not working. Even if you keep your hybrid inverter in a semi-protected location protected from the strong rays of the summer sun, some higher-performance models are specifically designed for indoor installations only. However, if your power grid is reliable and you have access to a net metering, a normal grid-connected system might be sufficient and is likely to be less expensive than a hybrid inverter with battery storage. When your solar panels generate more energy than you use, the hybrid inverter will automatically sell that excess energy to the grid.
Hybrid inverters may seem complicated, but in essence they work on a relatively simple principle. One of the main reasons why hybrid inverters are so prized in the solar energy community is their ability to compensate for fluctuations in energy availability, so if you don't have a battery, you lose an important feature. However, unlike buying and installing a standalone battery system, a hybrid inverter is more likely to pay for itself in the long run with its added efficiency and lower installation cost. Adding a hybrid inverter and batteries to your system will cost more upfront than installing a solution that is only connected to the grid.
Many homeowners choose hybrid inverters when using solar energy without even having a battery backup system installed, as they may be more affordable up front. Hybrid inverters also allow for more efficient energy generation and management, especially with regard to the relationship with the electricity grid in general, through net metering and time-of-use rates. Better yet, a hybrid inverter helps you store energy for future consumption more efficiently, including backup power for use during power outages or peak hours. A hybrid inverter is a promising solution for homeowners who want to install a solar energy system that has room for future upgrades, including a battery storage system.
With a hybrid inverter, 20 A power first passes through the inverter and you set the limit on the amount of energy you should consume from the coast. While some hybrid inverter models, such as SolarEdge, allow all energy to flow from the battery to the loads during a power outage, others have a limited amount of electricity that can be passed from the battery to the house charges during blackouts. Since you already have a solar inverter connected to the grid, choosing to install a hybrid inverter requires a complete and costly overhaul of your entire solar panel system. So what's the best solution for you? If you're thinking about adding a battery to your solar panel system now or in the future, you might want to consider installing a hybrid inverter.
