Don't Skimp on the Inverter

Your solar panels might last 25 years, but a cheap inverter will die in 5. It works the hardest, converting DC power to AC power thousands of times a day. Here are the three brands we trust in 2025.

1. Fronius (The Austrian Engineering Masterpiece)

Model to get: Fronius Primo (Single Phase) or Symo (Three Phase) GEN24 Plus.

Pros: Incredible reliability, active cooling (fan-forced), and the best monitoring app in the business. The "Plus" models are hybrid-ready, meaning you can plug a battery in later.

Cons: Expensive and sometimes hard to get stock due to high demand.

2. Enphase (The Micro-Inverter Revolution)

Model to get: IQ8 Series.

Pros: Instead of one big box on the wall, you have a tiny inverter under each panel. If one panel gets shaded, the others keep working at 100%. It's also the safest system (no high-voltage DC on the roof).

Cons: Highest upfront cost. Adding a battery (Enphase IQ Battery) is also pricey compared to other brands.

3. Sungrow (The Value Heavyweight)

Model to get: SH5.0RS (Hybrid).

Pros: Sungrow has shaken up the market by offering premium features at a mid-range price. Their hybrid inverters are excellent and pair seamlessly with their own modular SBR batteries. They offer a great backup power solution.

Cons: Customer support is good but not quite at the "white glove" level of Fronius.

Honorable Mention: GoodWe

If you are on a tight budget, GoodWe is the best of the "entry-level" brands. They are reliable enough for the price, but don't expect the same feature set or longevity as the top three.