How Does A Hybrid Inverter Work? - Project Solar UK

14 Jul.,2025

 

How Does A Hybrid Inverter Work? - Project Solar UK

Investing in a PV system offers countless short and long-term benefits. With energy security, cost savings and government incentives, solar panels are an incredibly rewarding addition to any home. But how do they work? More specifically, how does a hybrid inverter work? These devices are the heart and soul of your PV system and are responsible for converting DC into AC.

View Details

What is a hybrid inverter? 

Hybrid inverters convert direct current (DC) electricity generated by your solar panels into alternating current (AC) and they can also reverse the process by inverting AC power back into DC. This electricity can then be stored by a solar battery for later use. If you need to boil the kettle or charge your during a power outage, a hybrid inverter gives you the power to do so. They are an excellent addition to PV systems because they offer homeowners reliable backup power via excess energy storage. As a power inverter for solar cells and solar panels, hybrid inverters maximise your available energy and make PV systems all the more efficient. 

What do hybrid solar inverters do? 

Hybrid inverters can perform several exceptional functions, such as 

  • Corresponding with the National Grid
  • Converting AC electricity into DC, and vice versa
  • Maximising your PV system’s power output
  • Keeping your PV system running safely 
  • Providing evaluations of power output 

How does a hybrid inverter work?

All solar panels are composed of photovoltaic cells (which are made up of several layers of semiconductors). Semiconductors absorb the energy from direct and indirect sunlight, and the dislodged electrons begin flowing through the material as a DC electric current. For conversion, the DC energy flows to the hybrid inverter, which is either converted into AC and supplied to the home or redirected to the battery for storage. 

What are the different types of inverters?

  1. String inverters 

These are the most established types of hybrid inverter. For a string inverter to work, multiple panels connected in rows or groups must operate at the same orientation and pitch. You can connect multiple ‘strings’ of solar panels to one inverter.  

  1. Micro inverters

Micro inverters are a new technology that aims to solve some problems with string inverters.The performance of a string inverter is dependent on the weakest panel in the string.  If one panel is shaded or underperforming, the output of the entire string can be affected.However, micro inverters are installed directly on each solar panel. With a dedicated inverter, even shaded panels or those covered by vegetation can operate independently. 

  1. Hybrid solar inverters

At their core, hybrid inverters are designed to manage power input from solar panels and a battery bank. They also control the charging and discharging of a connected battery system.This capability allows homeowners to store excess solar energy during peak production times and use it during low solar power generation or grid outages.

  1. Power inverters

Power and micro inverters are similar in that they are installed on individual panels. Their differences lie in how they move DC power. Rather than converting DC to AC on the roof, power inverters use a string inverter to move the DC. 

What are the benefits of hybrid inverters? 

  1. DC coupling options

Conversion loss can often cause power loss when an inverter repeatedly converts DC into AC. However, hybrid inverters offer DC coupling options. Instead of converting DC power back into AC to feed it into the battery, the energy is immediately directed to the battery. 

  1. Cost-effective

Hybrid inverters offer you multiple advantages, all wrapped in one convenient package. With battery-integrated chargers, charge control and performance monitoring, these cost-effective devices offer excellent performance and AC/DC inverter functionality. 

With competitive price and timely delivery, Jiwei sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

  1. Continuous power supply

Unexpected power outages can be scary. But with a hybrid inverter and a solar battery, you have a reliable power supply to fall back on. In the event of a grid failure or other disruptions, the inverter can switch to battery power almost instantaneously. 

The Solar Takeover 

Find out more about hybrid inverters | SMA America

A solar inverter, also known as a PV inverter, converts direct current to alternating current. It’s the link between your PV system and the utility grid. A hybrid inverter does much more than that. It allows you to store excess solar power into a connected battery solution. Instead of needing two separate inverters (one for solar, one for a battery), a hybrid inverter does both jobs in one.

Hybrid inverters from SMA can operate both with and without a battery. This means you can start without a battery storage system and then add a battery at any time, without requiring an additional battery inverter. Hybrid inverters are beneficial for those who may not be ready for a battery but wants the flexibility to integrate one in the future.

Hybrid inverters enable the efficient use of solar energy because they can be easily connected to a battery storage system. This means that solar energy can be used even when the sun is not shining or if there is a power outage. Storing your own solar power and using it yourself increases your self-consumption, cuts your electricity costs and provides emergency backup power.

Hybrid inverters merge the functionalities of solar inverters and battery inverters into a single device, streamlining installation and saving both time and money. Compared to separate solar and battery inverters, hybrid inverters require less overall space. SMA hybrid inverters are specifically engineered to be highly compact, minimizing wall installation space.

Yes! A hybrid inverter benefits anyone who wants to be in control of their solar energy power without relying on the grid by providing the ability to store excess power in a battery storage system. Homeowners and businesses experience various benefits such as:

  • Energy independence

  • Lower energy costs through self-consumption

  • Reliable electricity supply even during utility grid outages

Our SMA POWERUP+ Installers can help you plan your PV system and advise on which device suits your individual needs.

Find an installer now