SolarEdge Solar inverter and battery review- Updated September 2024
SolarEdge inverters are a unique, and that can be both a good and a bad thing.
Good, in that for some types of installation, it provides the most flexibility.
Bad, in that once you go down this path, you are very much locked in to whatever SolarEdge has to offer.
SolarEdge, what you get
You get a SolarEdge central 'string' inverter on the wall.
If you want a battery now or later, then you need the single phase 'Energy Hub' model.
This comes in 5kW to 10kW sizes. In WA we are only allowed the 5kW size.
You also get a box of SolarEdge optimisers that the installers fit to each solar panel.
How SolarEdge works
The panels are wired together in strings...just like any other inverter.
The big difference is that these SolarEdge 'strings' can run across multiple roof sections.
The string might start on your North roof and finish on your West roof.
Other inverters, without optimisers, need their strings to stay all on the same orientation.
So that's a design advantage for SolarEdge if done correctly. (there are rules that must be obeyed).
Is SolarEdge more expensive than a normal inverter?
The 5kW single phase SolarEdge Energy Hub inverter costs $2,050.
On top of that you'll want the single phase consumption meter and 1 x CT worth $250.
The Wireless Gateway for connecting to your home router/modem is an extra $75.
So all up, $2,375.
Compare that to a 5kW Fronius Primo GEN24Plus with a consumption meter and Wi-Fi for $3,420, it's cheap.
Or to an iStore 5kW hybrid with meter and WIFI at $2,090, still good value.
Even against a real cheapie like Growatt XH and meter & WIFI at $1,870, SolarEdge inverters are decent good value.
However, SolarEdge needs those optimisers on every panel to work, whereas the other inverters don't.
Each SolarEdge optimiser costs between $80 and $110 each depending on model, including installation.
Let's say $100 each. You need 15 of them for 6.6kW of panels, so an extra $1,500.
Now and again SolarEdge give a few away free with the inverter.
At time of writing there's a deal for five free optimisers and a free consumption meter.
So yes, in most cases you will spend more for SolarEdge.
SolarEdge features.
You've got optimisers on every panel so that means panel-level reporting, if activated by your installer.
That means you can see the output of each and every solar panel individually.
The optimiser on each panel will drop (buck) or raise (boost) the panel to maintain a steady voltage.
It's absolutely fascinating to see it in action for a day or so, but gets old quickly.
Adding a battery to SolarEdge.
SolarEdge have their own 10kW (9kWh usable) battery.
It's a monster of a thing, monolithic not modular, and only works with their new single phase inverters.
If you have an older SolarEdge inverter, then you can't use the SolarEdge battery...
SolarEdge will swap out your old SolarEdge inverter with a new one so you can buy their battery.
You have to buy the 'backup box' as well as part of the trade but you will want that anyway.
Update 16/09/2024
SolarEdge have finally got their battery to work with their 3 phase hybrid inverters.
Only 1 x battery is possible and there's no backup capability during blackouts.
The inverter can only be oversized by 135% when a battery is connected.
All of these things tell me that SolarEdge have worked incredibly hard to deliver what they can.
But it's not great.
There's no denying that the SolarEdge battery is quite expensive compared to others.
9.7kWh of usable power for $11,880 is $1,224 per kWh.
Most other batteries are $730-$850 per kWh. See this page...
SolarEdge warranty
12 years on the inverter.
25 years (Australia only), on the optimisers.
Service and support from SolarEdge?
Average. Not terrible, not the best.
or email
This review was written by Andrew MacKeith, Solar4Ever service manager since 2011.
