Hybrid Inverter

What makes an inverter “hybrid”

A standard solar inverter converts solar DC to AC and sends it to your home or the grid. A hybrid inverter does that, plus it manages a DC-coupled battery - controlling when the battery charges (from solar or the grid) and when it discharges (to power the home or export).

The “hybrid” label comes from handling multiple inputs and outputs: solar panels, battery, household loads, and grid, all coordinated by a single device.

AC-coupled vs DC-coupled battery systems

There are two ways to connect a battery to a solar system:

DC-coupled (hybrid inverter): The battery connects directly to the DC bus inside the inverter. Solar energy charges the battery without an extra conversion step. This is more efficient - one conversion from DC solar to DC battery, then DC to AC when discharging.

AC-coupled: The battery (like a Tesla Powerwall) has its own inverter and connects to the AC side of the system. Existing solar systems can be retrofitted with AC-coupled batteries without replacing the inverter. The Powerwall 3 has an integrated hybrid inverter and connects AC-coupled to any existing solar setup.

Most new solar-plus-battery systems in Australia use hybrid inverters with DC-coupled batteries (Sungrow, Goodwe, Fronius, Huawei). Powerwall is the dominant AC-coupled exception.

Key hybrid inverter features

EPS (Emergency Power Supply): Many hybrid inverters offer a backup circuit - a limited number of circuits stay powered during grid outages using the battery. This is not the same as full-home backup; typically 3–5 kW of critical loads.

Dynamic export limiting: Network rules in many Australian distribution zones cap solar export. A hybrid inverter can enforce these limits dynamically based on generation and consumption, allowing a larger solar array than the export cap would otherwise permit.

Time-of-use optimisation: Smarter hybrid inverters can be programmed to charge from the grid during off-peak tariff windows and discharge during peak windows - arbitraging the tariff difference.

Popular hybrid inverters in Australia

Sungrow SH series, Goodwe ES/ET series, and Fronius Gen24 Plus are the most common residential hybrid inverters installed by CEC-accredited installers. All three have good local support networks and proven track records in Australian conditions.