What an inverter does
Solar panels and batteries produce and store direct current (DC). Your home runs on alternating current (AC). The inverter sits between the two, changing DC into AC and managing how power flows between the panels, the battery, the grid and your loads. In a hybrid system it also decides when to charge the battery, when to draw from the grid, and how to keep selected circuits live during an outage.
Because everything passes through the inverter, its quality and correct sizing matter as much as the panels. A well-chosen inverter protects itself and your appliances, reports faults clearly, and connects to a monitoring app so you can see what the system is doing.
Hybrid or grid-tied
A grid-tied inverter only works while the grid is up. It offsets your bill during the day but shuts down during load-shedding, for safety, so grid workers are not exposed to live wires. A hybrid inverter adds battery support: it keeps working when the grid goes down and can run your essential circuits from stored power. If load-shedding is part of why you are going solar, a hybrid inverter is the usual choice.
How we size and place an inverter
The inverter must be able to deliver the total power of the loads you want to run at the same time, and to handle the output of your solar array. We calculate this from your bill and your backup list, then confirm the size in the written quote. Placement matters too: inverters need ventilation, protection from direct sun, and enough space for safe wiring and future servicing. In Cape Town coastal homes we pay attention to salt air and humidity, and we mount equipment where it will last.
Commissioning and monitoring
After installation we commission the inverter, set the battery and grid parameters correctly, test changeover during a simulated outage, and connect the monitoring app. You get a handover walkthrough so you understand what the display and the app are telling you.
Who it is for
Anyone installing solar PV or battery backup, and anyone who already has panels but wants to add backup. If you are building the system in stages, we can install a battery-ready inverter now and add the battery and panels when you are ready.
What affects the price
The inverter's power rating, whether it is hybrid or grid-tied, the brand and warranty, and the electrical work needed to connect it to your distribution board.
Related pages
Read how to choose the best solar inverter in South Africa, or see where we work in the Southern Suburbs and Helderberg.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a hybrid and a grid-tied inverter?
A grid-tied inverter only works while the grid is up, so it saves you money but stops during load-shedding. A hybrid inverter manages both solar panels and a battery, so it can keep selected circuits running when the grid is down.
How do I know what size inverter I need?
The inverter must handle the total power of the loads you want to run at the same time, plus the size of your solar array. We calculate this from your usage and confirm it in the quote.
Can you install an inverter on its own, without panels or a battery?
Yes. We can install a battery-ready inverter now and add panels and a battery later, so the system grows with your budget.