Best solar inverters 2024: Types, reviews and prices

Use our calculator to quickly get price cost estimates for your specific project.

Our expert and consumer reviews of the leading brands of residential sized solar inverters show the best solar inverter to suit your home in 2020 Residential Solar Panels

Best solar inverters 2024: Types, reviews and prices

Solar inverters are an integral part of every solar power system. They perform two key functions:

All solar panels generate Direct Current (DC); a solar inverter is required to convert this into Alternating Current (AC), the form of electricity usable by your home.

The operating conditions of solar panels - sunlight intensity and panel temperature - fluctuate throughout the day. This means that the possible solar panel voltage and current are always changing as well. In a process called Maximum Power Point (MPP) tracking, the solar inverter dynamically selects the exact combination of the two that will produce the most power.

Current-Voltage (I-V) Curve. This is an example of MPP tracking in action. Here, the solar inverter sets current & voltage to point b for maximum output.

There are two categories to consider when deciding on the right solar inverter type: the solar inverter technology, and the type of solar power system the inverter is for.

Learn more: Inverter types compared

The solar inverter you choose will need to be compatible solar system type you are installing:

You can learn more about each solar power system type below

A grid-tied system is the most common type of solar system. It has no solar battery for backup power and utilizes net metering to maximize savings. Solar panels are mounted on your roof then wired together, and the power generated flows into an inverter where direct current (DC) electricity is converted into alternating current (AC) electricity. This electricity is either used by your home or is exported to the utility grid.

In hybrid solar systems, rooftop solar panels are connected to both a solar battery and the electric grid. The solar electricity generated by your panels that your home does not use is stored in the battery instead of being sent to the grid, which reduces your reliance on the utility while also providing backup power when needed. Battery storage is still expensive but you may be able to reduce costs by using state incentives.

Off-grid solar systems are not connected to the grid at all, so all of your energy needs must be met by the sun. There is no utility to fall back on. The solar installation needs to power your home not only during the day, but after dark as well, so many solar panels and a large battery system are required. These systems are often expensive and don’t make sense for homes that have access to the grid.

Had a solar system installed March 2020 by Lumina Sun. Activated May 2020. Both inverters not functioning from the beginning. New ones ordered and now I'm being told the Sunny Boy Inverters are not in stock and Lumina Sun has no information as to when I will receive them. I have made 2 payments on a solar system that is not functioning in addition to my regular electric bill. I am beyond mad!!!

Average cost (5kW system) $14,012 ($2.80 per watt)

The Primo is a transformerless inverter and the snap inverter design makes it very easy to install. The connection unit bolts to a wall and the inverter hinges into the connection unit and is attached by two screws making the inverter very easy to remove and service. Fronius is the only inverter manufacturer that can replace boards if there is a problem, usually an hour job. It has two maximum power point trackers, so you can have strings facing different directions. It has very low warranty claim rate unlike the IG. The monitoring can be done via wifi or ethernet and is very simple to configure. On Fronius' solar website, you can look at AC volts and amps, DC volts and amps, mppt 1 power, mppt2 power, and total power. If you don't have any shading, definitely go with a string inverter and this is a good one. Less components to fail versus Enphase - inverter behind every panel in an extreme environment.

Average cost (5kW system) $14,012 ($2.80 per watt)

After waiting one month, after multiple phone calls, and after long waits, Enphase tells me they need more time to look into the issue! I concluded that Enphase Energy is not interested in honoring their warranty commitment! Stay away from Enphase Energy at all cost!

Average cost (5kW system) $14,628 ($2.93 per watt)

Installation was fairly straightforward and I have no complaints about the process. My inverter failed around 10 months after installation which makes me question the system's overall reliability. The issues started when I requested a replacement. The service request goes into a black hole and there's no to determine status. The new inverter was faulty and the service technician was supposed to put in a request for a new part. Again, I was completely in the dark for the replacement process. My system has been out for almost two months and I'm now paying for a useless solar system plus the additional electricity

Average cost (5kW system) $13,955 ($2.79 per watt)

Average inverter cost per watt: $0.21

Best system price Installed 5kW system $0 $0.00 p/w

Table 1: IQ7PLUS-72-E-US overview

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,015 $2.20 p/w

Table 1: IQ7-60-E-US overview

Model # IQ7A-72-2-US

Best system price Installed 5kW system $8,000 $1.60 p/w

Table 1: IQ7A-72-2-US overview

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,931 $2.39 p/w

Table 1: IQ7X-96-E-US overview

Model # IQ8H-208-72-2-US1

Best system price Installed 5kW system $10,866 $2.17 p/w

Table 1: IQ8H-208-72-2-US1 overview

Model # IQ8H-240-72-2-US

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,612 $2.32 p/w

Table 1: IQ8H-240-72-2-US overview

Model # IQ8A-72-2-US

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,236 $2.25 p/w

Table 1: IQ8A-72-2-US overview

Model # IQ8M-72-2-US

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,692 $2.34 p/w

Table 1: IQ8M-72-2-US overview

Model # IQ8PLUS-72-2-US

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,307 $2.26 p/w

Table 1: IQ8PLUS-72-2-US overview

Model # IQ8-60-2-US

Best system price Installed 5kW system $10,955 $2.19 p/w

Table 1: IQ8-60-2-US overview

Best unit price $3,152 $0.13 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,509 $2.30 p/w

Table 1: SYMO ADV 24.0-3 overview

Best unit price $3,116 $0.14 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,092 $2.22 p/w

Table 1: SYMO ADV 22.7-3 overview

Best unit price $3,255 $0.16 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,598 $2.32 p/w

Table 1: SYMO ADV 20.0-3 overview

Best unit price $3,380 $0.14 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,552 $2.31 p/w

Best unit price $3,470 $0.29 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $10,907 $2.18 p/w

Best unit price $3,451 $0.23 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,234 $2.25 p/w

Best unit price $3,051 $0.24 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,170 $2.23 p/w

Best unit price $3,233 $0.22 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,854 $2.37 p/w

Table 1: SYMO ADV 15.0-3 overview

Best unit price $3,519 $0.29 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,666 $2.33 p/w

Table 1: SYMO ADV 12.0-3 overview

Best unit price $3,136 $0.31 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $10,987 $2.20 p/w

Table 1: SYMO ADV 10.0-3 overview

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,181 $2.24 p/w

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,069 $2.21 p/w

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,384 $2.28 p/w

Best system price Installed 5kW system $10,864 $2.17 p/w

Best system price Installed 5kW system $10,850 $2.17 p/w

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,190 $2.24 p/w

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,126 $2.23 p/w

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,325 $2.27 p/w

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,849 $2.37 p/w

Table 1: SPH6000TL BL-US overview

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,010 $2.20 p/w

Table 1: SPH5000TL BL-US overview

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,787 $2.36 p/w

Best unit price $1,270 $0.16 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,833 $2.37 p/w

Best unit price $1,190 $0.17 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $14,750 $2.95 p/w

Best unit price $1,060 $0.18 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,332 $2.27 p/w

Best unit price $985 $0.20 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,024 $2.20 p/w

Best unit price $930 $0.24 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,904 $2.38 p/w

Best unit price $902 $0.30 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,646 $2.33 p/w

Best unit price $26 $0.00 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $10,905 $2.18 p/w

Best unit price $4,360 $0.07 per watt

Best system price Installed 5kW system $10,989 $2.20 p/w

Best unit price $3,989 $0.12 per watt

6kw Solar System Best system price Installed 5kW system $11,389 $2.28 p/w