Best solar inverters of 2024

Your solar inverter is just as important as the solar panels you choose. While a few big-name brands still dominate the market, solar inverter technology continues to evolve, expanding your options.

The type of roof you have plays a crucial role in determining the best inverter for your solar system. For most residential installations, module-level power electronics (MLPEs) like power optimizers and microinverters maximize electricity production, especially on complex roofs with shading issues. However, string inverters are often a great choice for simpler, unshaded roofs.

Choosing the best solar inverter involves considering performance, warranties, cost, and your personal preferences. Let’s explore the different types of inverters, how to compare your options, and our top picks for 2024.

*Extended warranty available at additional cost

Enphase: The longtime leader

Enphase is the most popular inverter on EnergySage by a landslide: About 70% of quotes from the second half of 2023 included an Enphase inverter. 

Pros

• Warranty: Enphase's microinverters have the longest base warranty of 25 years.

• Good all around: While not number one in efficiency or voltage performance, Enphase still performs well in all categories. 

Cons

• Price: Enphase microinverters tend to be on the pricier side.

SolarEdge: The most efficient inverter

SolarEdge is another veteran industry leader. In addition to its highly efficient solar inverter, SolarEdge also manufactures solar batteries and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. 

Pros

• Efficiency: The SolarEdge Home Wave inverter series is the most efficient on our list, with 99% efficiency.

• Output options: SolarEdge offers a wide range of size options from 3.0 to 11.4 kilowatts. 

Cons

• Price: Like Enphase, SolarEdge inverters tend to be more expensive. 

Hoymiles: Best inverter for your budget

Hoymiles is the third most popular inverter brand on EnergySage for good reason. This brand aims to make solar energy more accessible through its highly efficient and innovative technology. 

Pros

• Smart technology: Hoymiles microinverters use smart monitoring technology to identify and resolve issues proactively.  

• Price: When paired with REC solar panels, Enphase systems cost $3.34/W while Hoymiles systems cost $2.95/W on average based on EnergySage data from the first half of 2024. 

Cons

• Average specs: Hoymiles inverters perform well, but the company isn’t a leader in any category we reviewed. 

Tesla: Good inverter, great integration

Tesla produces a well-rounded solar inverter that performs well in all categories. All Tesla products integrate by design, so if you’re already a Tesla customer, this is probably the inverter for you.  

Pros

• Solid specs: The Tesla solar inverter has great efficiency, voltage performance, and an adequate warranty. 

• Price: Tesla’s solar products (besides the Solar Roof) tend to be pretty affordable. 

Cons

• Customer service: Tesla’s reputation for customer service isn’t the greatest. A lack of urgency regarding repairs and service requests is a common complaint about the company. 

• Lacking panel-level optimization: Tesla inverters aren't paired with power optimizers, so they don't work well for super complex or shady roofs. 

Schneider Electric: Best voltage performance

Schneider Electric may not be as popular as some other inverters on this list, but it’s a great option if you have a simple roof with little to no shading. 

Pros

• Voltage performance: Scheider’s solar inverter has the best voltage performance on our list. 

• Hybrid: This inverter can support your solar panels and battery systems. 

Cons

• Shortest warranty: Schneider offers the shortest warranty term on our list, with just 10 years of coverage.

• Lacking panel-level optimization: Schneider's inverter doesn't integrate with power optimizers. Homeowners with shady roofs may want to skip this one.

While your inverter decision will ultimately be based on your unique setup, a few factors should be considered when comparing your options.

Output power

The output power of your inverter provides a sense of its size. To avoid clipping, you’ll want the size of your inverter(s) to align with your solar panels’ output. 

“Clipping” occurs when your solar panels produce more power than your inverters can handle at a given time. If your inverter’s power output rating is lower than your solar panels’ output, your production will be “clipped” at the inverter’s output, and you’ll lose that extra power your panels could produce.

• For microinverters: The maximum output power should be about the size of your solar panels (typically 300-400+ Watts). 

• For string and optimized string inverters: The maximum output should be close to the size of your solar panel system (typically about 5-10 kilowatts (kW)). 

• If you have multiple string inverters: Make sure each inverter's output power roughly matches the total wattage of its string of solar panels. 

Efficiency

Not all the electricity generated from your solar panels makes it to your appliances. Solar panels capture direct current (DC) electricity, and inverters convert that to alternating current (AC) electricity for your home. Some thermal energy is lost in conversion, but an efficient inverter loses less energy. 

Efficiency ratings are expressed as a percentage (the higher the, the better). These days, most inverters are 96% to 99% efficient. 

Voltage performance

The minimum and maximum voltages (expressed in DC) provide a voltage level range at which your system can input solar energy from your panels to your inverter. The wider the range, the better your inverter can perform in more extreme conditions. You can calculate your inverter's voltage performance using the following calculation:

(maximum voltage – minimum voltage) / maximum voltage

Your voltage performance will generally range between 0.4 and 0.8, with higher numbers indicating better performance. If you have an optimized string inverter system, include the voltage range associated with the power optimizer. 

Nominal voltage is another metric for your inverter. It's pretty standardized for all home solar energy systems and represents the voltage level at which your inverter connects to your home's electric system (expressed in AC). Most inverters for home solar systems will connect at either 208 or 240 VAC.

Warranty

If you're noticing any unusual issues with your solar panel system, chances are it's the inverter. While solar panel systems are highly reliable, inverters are the most likely component to fail. So, you want to ensure that your inverter has a comprehensive warranty if anything goes wrong. 

MLPEs like microinverters or power optimizers often come with a 25-year warranty, like the solar panels they live behind. On the other hand, most string inverters come with a warranty of around 10 years. It's also important to consider other warranty factors like labor coverage and company bankability (i.e., how likely they will be around to uphold your warranty).

Cost

Given you only need one or two string inverters, they’re typically more affordable than microinverters (and they're even cheaper if you don't include power optimizers). 

To better understand what solution is best for you, check out some of our other inverter resources: