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Energy Relief

Energy Relief for Your Home and Your Business

Hybrid inverters

A hybrid inverter is an intelligent inverter that stores surplus solar energy for self-use in a battery system. Hybrid inverters work similarly to conventional grid-tied solar inverters, but may operate in a variety of modes depending on the application, including a battery backup mode that offers a small amount of backup power in the case of a blackout. The majority of hybrid inverters may also run without a battery and function identically to grid-connected solar inverters by exporting surplus solar energy to the utility grid.

Basic operation of a hybrid inverter

Having all of the essential capabilities for solar and battery storage in a single plug-and-play inverter makes hybrid inverters far less expensive and simpler to install than more complicated battery storage systems, which sometimes need numerous inverters. However, they have a number of drawbacks and are not suggested for use in off-grid solar systems.

Hybrid Inverter Operating Modes

The majority of hybrid inverters may be set to operate in four distinct modes:

  • Grid-tied mode – Operates as a conventional solar inverter (no battery)
  • Hybrid mode – Stores extra solar energy throughout the day in order to boost self-sufficiency in the evening.
  • Backup mode – Functions as a conventional solar inverter while connected to the grid and instantly changes to backup power mode during a grid outage.
  • Off-grid mode* – Functions similarly to an off-grid inverter, using extra sunlight to charge the battery and power loads without a grid connection.

Only a select few hybrid inverters are built for off-grid solar power systems and can start and operate a backup power source as necessary.

Hybrid inverters are an inexpensive option for normal houses that wish to become more self-sufficient with solar and batteries but do not aim to unplug from the grid and do not suffer frequent power outages. For a direct comparison of the different hybrid inverters and battery storage systems, please refer to our comprehensive hybrid and battery storage evaluation.

Power backup

To act as a backup power source, a hybrid inverter must be able to disconnect from the grid during a power outage and utilise battery power to power any important domestic circuits. Some hybrid inverters lack the ‘grid isolation’ capability, which prevents them from operating in backup or off-grid modes. Typically, a backup box or EPS (emergency power supply) is provided to facilitate this function. If grid stability is not a concern, this basic hybrid inverter might be a cost-effective option.

Advanced hybrid inverters can run in backup mode indefinitely and totally off-grid if the loads are controllable and there is sufficient sunshine throughout the year. However, specialist off-grid inverters and large-capacity batteries are suggested for off-grid solar systems owing to the high continuous and surge power rating necessary to operate an entire off-grid home.

**Essential circuits are simple loads (circuits) that can be quickly backed up after a power outage. This covers common items such as lights, refrigerators, televisions, and laptops. Typically, a more powerful AC or DC linked multi-mode inverter or an off-grid system is required to power an entire home.

There are three primary kinds of hybrid inverters.

  • Standard hybrid inverter for solar energy storage
  • Hybrid inverter for solar energy storage and emergency power
  • Battery energy storage systems (BESS)
  • BESS systems are essentially a hybrid inverter combined with a lithium battery in a single unit that is typically the size of a refrigerator. However, similar to most other appliances, there are several characteristics and capabilities that distinguish the vast array of current BESS systems.

Off-grid Inverters

Off-grid inverters, also known as multi-mode inverters, are far more modern and potent hybrid inverters that can work with or without a grid connection and provide immediate backup in the case of a blackout. These inverters may also provide backup power for very big loads, such as air conditioners, pumps, and heaters. Many of these new multi-mode off-grid inverters have a very high pass through power capacity, therefore it is not necessary to separate important loads from non-essential loads.