The most popular inverters on EnergySage in 2022

Before going solar, one of the biggest decisions you'll need to make is which equipment to install. But there are many different inverter products to choose from – so where's the best place to start? We'll explore the most popular inverters on the EnergySage Marketplace. If you're curious about the most popular solar panels on EnergySage, check out this article.

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Though the solar market has primarily been dominated by two inverter brands (Enphase and SolarEdge), more and more inverter products are starting to hit the market. So, given the increasing variety of options, which inverters do residential solar shoppers compare–and choose–most often on the EnergySage Marketplace? There are a few different ways to assess the popularity of inverters; below, we do so in two separate ways:

1. The inverters installers most frequently quote.

2. The inverters solar shoppers most frequently select and ultimately install.

It's important to note that the top quoted and selected inverters are not identical. So, if there's an inverter brand you're particularly interested in but don't see in your quotes, always ask your installer!

Most quoted inverters

First, we'll look at the top 10 quoted inverters on the EnergySage Marketplace: Enphase steals the top five spots with its IQ7PLUS-72-x-US-240 coming in first. The sixth through 10th spots are all occupied by SolarEdge products, with SE7600H-US [240V] topping the list for the most quoted string inverter. 

Top 10 inverters (quoted) on the EnergySage Marketplace, nationwide

Most selected inverters

Enphase's IQ7PLUS-72-x-US-240 was not only the most commonly quoted and the most frequently selected inverter on the Marketplace in 2021. Spot number two is also occupied by the same product for the most quoted and selected inverter – Enphase's IQ7A-72-2-US-240. However, while spots one through five are all occupied by Enphase for most quoted inverters, SolarEdge's SE7600A-US [240V]  takes the third spot for most selected inverters. The only product that doesn't make the ten most quoted list but falls in the top 10 most selected inverters is Enphase's IQ7PLUS-72-2-US-208.

Top 10 inverters (selected) on the EnergySage Marketplace, nationwide

As with almost every data point in the solar industry, the results vary depending on the state. However, when you compare the lists above with the most commonly selected solar inverter in a few top solar states, it follows a similar trend: Enphase's IQ7PLUS-72-x-US-240 (the most frequently quoted and selected inverter) tops the list for six of the eight states we examined, including California. Larger, solar-friendly places like California have higher populations interested in and moving forward with solar, so naturally, the popularity of Enphase's inverter in these states drove high volumes for the product in solar quotes and installations nationwide.

Most popular inverters (selected) by state on the EnergySage Marketplace

Why is any book, TV show, or gadget more popular than others? As anyone who's experienced the Twilight series knows, there isn't always a perfect correlation between quality and popularity. Multiple factors impact the demand for particular inverters:

Distribution networks

Distributors serve as liaisons between manufacturers and installers. There are a few major solar equipment distributors in the United States, each with its relationships with specific manufacturers and installation companies. If certain inverter brands are more popular in your area than elsewhere in the country, a distributor with closer ties to particular manufacturers may have a stronger presence in your market.

Availability

Like other products on the market, the solar industry gets hit by supply constraints. Material shortages and shipping restrictions can impact equipment availability, including inverters – though inverters seem to be less affected than solar panels or batteries. Even in a world without supply issues, you'd find that some inverters are more readily available than others simply because larger inverter companies have more factories and build more products.

Installer preference

Every type of contractor–solar installer or otherwise–has likes and dislikes about the equipment they work with. In solar, you'll come across installation companies that prefer and recommend installing certain inverters because of the ease of installation, quality, and cost (which we'll dive more into later).

Brand loyalty is also prevalent in the solar industry: many reputable installers have direct relationships with manufacturers through their endorsement programs, meaning they can access special opportunities or better deals by selling products from a particular company. In fact, according to our most recent Intel Report, almost 50 percent of installers only offer one inverter brand. This isn't a bad thing; often, it means passing on cost savings, more robust warranty offerings, and product expertise to you and other solar shoppers!

Consumer preference

Consumer demand plays a huge role in the popularity of a particular inverter or manufacturer. Think about it: if you want to install a particular product and make those preferences known to your potential contractor, they will do what they can to provide you with that equipment – or at least present an attractive alternative. The more solar shoppers ask for particular brands and products, the more likely installers will buy, store, install, and recommend that equipment in the future.

Cost

Another factor that influences how popular inverters are is cost. That doesn't mean cheaper inverters are more popular. Most shoppers on EnergySage reject the lowest-cost option, and most installers on the Marketplace propose higher quality, more expensive equipment. Popular inverters often offer good value, balancing cost and quality.

Among the most quoted and selected inverters, the top two most popular brands – Enphase and SolarEdge – fell within a $0.06 per watt ($/W) range on the EnergySage Marketplace in 2021. However, it's important to note that these costs are also greatly influenced by the solar panels included in the quotes. Overall, quotes with Enphase and SolarEdge tended to be pretty moderate in cost compared to SunPower (on the higher end) and Hoymiles or SMA America (on the lower end).

Average $/W of the most popular inverter manufacturers on the EnergySage Marketplace

As we mentioned above, consumer preference is a driving force behind solar inverter popularity. As you're choosing an inverter product, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• Technology: Are you looking for module-level inverters or a central inverter with power optimizers? This may depend on the amount of shading your roof gets.

• Efficiency: How efficiently does the inverter convert the generated direct current (DC) to usable alternating current (AC) power?

• Warranty: Does the manufacturer offer a comprehensive warranty for their product?

• Voltage range: a wide range of voltages means that the inverter can perform well across various solar output conditions – does the inverter have a wide range?

• Maximum output power: Is the DC rating of your solar panel system similar to the output power of your inverters? This will help you avoid clipping.

• Storage compatibility: If you're looking to install storage, is the inverter compatible with the battery you want to install?

• Monitoring app: What do you think of the monitoring app that goes along with your inverters? Does it provide you with the insights you're looking for?

• Quality rating: How does the quality and durability of the inverter compare to other options on the market?

• Manufacturer reputation: Does the company standing behind the warranty offer good customer service? Are they bankable?

• Country of manufacture: are you willing to pay more for American-made inverters?

• Cost: Will you get your bank for your buck? Is a more expensive inverter worth the extra cost?

Learn more about choosing solar equipment.

The most popular inverters aren't always the right ones for your home. The best way to ensure you install the right equipment for the right price is to compare multiple options. Register for free on the EnergySage Marketplace today to get up to seven custom quotes from pre-screened local installers. Already have a specific inverter in mind? Note it in your account so installers can include the inverter in their quotes.