{"id":82363,"date":"2024-03-25T06:07:47","date_gmt":"2024-03-24T20:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=82363"},"modified":"2024-06-06T13:03:51","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T03:33:51","slug":"hybrid-vs-solar-inverters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/hybrid-vs-solar-inverters\/","title":{"rendered":"Hybrid Inverter Or Solar Inverter: Which Is Best For Adding Batteries Later?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"should<\/p>\n

Lately at SolarQuotes, we’re getting slammed with this question:<\/p>\n

“I’m gonna get a battery at some point. Should I get a hybrid inverter or a regular grid-tie inverter?”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That’s the million-dollar question. I know which one I would get, but I’m not you!<\/p>\n

First, let’s get this out of the way: A ‘battery-ready’ solar PV system is just a marketing term for a PV system with a hybrid inverter and no battery. Although designed to integrate batteries into your grid-tied PV solar system, hybrid inverters<\/a> aren’t the only option for adding batteries later.<\/p>\n

Any solar system can have batteries added later. Whether it includes a hybrid, string, micro, or stand-alone (off-grid) inverter, you can retrofit batteries<\/a> to the whole lot. But which one is right for you?<\/p>\n

\"Hybrid

Hybrid inverter plus DC-coupled battery on the left. String inverter plus AC-coupled battery on the right. These two look very similar, but they’re not the same!<\/p><\/div>\n

What Would I Get?<\/h2>\n

I’ll cut to the chase. My personal opinion is that relying on promises of future tech to dictate your solar PV system choice now should go in the bin along with so-called ‘expandable solar systems<\/a>.’ If you’re not ready to add batteries right now, it may not eventuate, so don’t let it influence your inverter decision.<\/p>\n

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add batteries later!<\/p>\n

If I were hypothetically forced to decide one or the other, I would err on the side of a standard grid-tie string inverter. Although I’m not a betting man, this choice gives me better odds of fulfilling my future battery plans. If I were buying a PV system from scratch with a battery, I would choose a hybrid inverter. But that’s just me!<\/p>\n

Why? Let’s Break It Down<\/h2>\n

String inverter systems use AC-coupled<\/a> batteries, and these batteries are ‘inverter agnostic’. That means they’re connected to the AC side of the electrical system, and it doesn’t matter a hoot which brand, or how many1<\/a><\/sup> inverters are also connected.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, hybrid inverters are DC-coupled<\/a> and have compatibility limitations. Only a select number of battery models will work with each inverter. Not only that, but there’s no guarantee that your chosen battery will be around in the future, so when it’s time to install it, you might get caught with your pants down.<\/p>\n

Although there are other factors to consider when picking an inverter, this one alone is enough to sway my hypothetical decision in favour of a string inverter when hoping to add a battery later. It’s like an insurance policy to strengthen my chances of fulfilling my plans.<\/p>\n

\"Kim's

Will your chosen battery be around when it’s time to drop your money? Place your bets now at Kim’s Casino! (my odds are crap.)<\/p><\/div>\n

More Reasons To Play Safe<\/h2>\n