A hybrid inverter is the one-box answer to the question that defines modern residential solar: how do I use my own solar power when the grid goes down — or when the utility charges triple at 6 p.m.? It converts PV DC to household AC like any solar inverter, but also manages a battery bank and the grid connection, deciding moment by moment whether solar should power the house, charge the battery, or sell back. This guide explains how hybrid inverters actually work, when they beat the alternatives, how to size one, and which models are worth your money at Portlandia Electric Supply (in stock, catalog prices July 2026).
Hybrid vs. string vs. off-grid inverter
| Architecture | Battery-ready | Grid sell | Backup in outage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| String inverter (grid-tie) | No (needs AC-coupled retrofit) | Yes | No — shuts down in outages | Lowest-cost grid-tie, no storage plans |
| String + AC-coupled battery (e.g. Powerwall) | Via add-on | Yes | Yes (battery inverter forms grid) | Adding storage to existing solar |
| Hybrid inverter | Native, DC-coupled | Yes | Yes — built-in transfer | New installs wanting solar + storage |
| Off-grid inverter | Native | No (or limited) | Always "backed up" | No grid, or grid-is-unreliable properties |
The hybrid's structural edge is efficiency and simplicity: solar charges the battery DC-to-DC (no double conversion), one box replaces two, and the transfer to backup happens in milliseconds — fast enough that computers don't notice. The AC-coupled alternative still wins when you already own a working string inverter; don't rip out functioning hardware. For string options see our string inverters; for grid-free properties, an off-grid design.
Sizing a hybrid inverter (the math that matters)
Four numbers, in order:
- Continuous AC output (kW) — must cover your simultaneous loads. Add up what runs at once: kitchen + HVAC blower + office ≈ 3–5 kW typical; add central AC and you're at 6–10 kW.
- PV input ceiling (kW DC) — oversizing the array 1.2–1.5x the inverter's AC rating is standard practice and improves battery charging on cloudy days.
- Battery voltage and charge current — 48V is the residential standard; charge current (amps) x 48V tells you how fast the bank refills. A 100A charge spec ≈ 4.8 kW of charging.
- MPPT count and string voltage — two MPPTs minimum for roofs with two orientations; four for complex roofs.
Worked example: 2,400 sq ft home, 8 kW array, 20 kWh battery
Peak simultaneous load measured at the panel: 5.5 kW. Array: 8 kW DC. Battery: 20 kWh rack. The Solis 8.0kW RHI hybrid (RHI-1P8K-HVES-5G) at $2,060.62 covers the 5.5 kW peak with 45% headroom, accepts the 8 kW array without clipping concern, and its dual MPPTs split the array across two roof faces. Battery charge rate at full solar surplus refills 20 kWh in about 4–5 peak-sun hours — a full daily cycle. Budget alternative: the GoodWe 8.6kW split-phase hybrid (GW8600A-ES) at $3,781.00 with four MPPTs for more complex roofs.
Worked example: whole-home with central AC, 12 kW array
Central AC pushes continuous demand past 7 kW — step up to the Solis 10.0kW RHI (RHI-1P10K-HVES-5G) at $1,624.73, or the EG4 18kPV at $4,888.20 with its 18 kW PV ceiling if you plan to grow the array. For off-grid-capable heavy lifting, the Sol-Ark 5K (SA-5K-1P-N) at $2,993.00 and its larger siblings are the installer favorites.
What the best hybrid inverters cost (in stock at PES, July 2026)
| Model | AC output | Architecture | PES price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solis RHI 7.6kW (RHI-1P7-6K-HVES-5G1) | 7.6 kW | Split-phase hybrid, dual MPPT | $1,501.35 |
| Solis RHI 8.0kW (RHI-1P8K-HVES-5G) | 8.0 kW | Split-phase hybrid, dual MPPT | $2,060.62 |
| Solis RHI 10.0kW (RHI-1P10K-HVES-5G) | 10.0 kW | Split-phase hybrid | $1,624.73 |
| GoodWe GW8600A-ES | 8.6 kW | Split-phase hybrid, 4 MPPT | $3,781.00 |
| GoodWe GW9600A-ES | 9.6 kW | Split-phase hybrid, 4 MPPT | $4,182.00 |
| Sol-Ark SA-5K-1P-N | 5 kW | Hybrid, off-grid capable | $2,993.00 |
| Victron MultiPlus-II 48/5000 | 4 kW (120V) | Inverter/charger, modular ecosystem | $1,004.39 |
| EG4 18kPV | whole-home class | Hybrid, 18 kW PV input | $4,888.20 |
Five specs that separate good hybrids from frustrating ones
- Transfer time: under 20 ms keeps electronics happy; "UPS-grade" claims should be under 10 ms.
- Surge rating: 1.5–2x continuous for 5–10 seconds starts well pumps and compressors.
- Battery compatibility list: closed protocols lock you into one battery brand; CAN-bus open protocols (Pylontech, EG4, etc.) keep your options alive.
- Grid-interactive certifications: UL 1741 SB / IEEE 1547 compliance is required for legal grid connection in most US jurisdictions.
- Generator input: a dedicated gen port with charge control saves real money on long outages.
When NOT to buy a hybrid
Honesty from the supply house: skip the hybrid if you have a healthy string inverter already (AC-couple a battery instead), if you have no interest in storage ever (a straight string inverter is cheaper per watt), or if your utility offers true 1:1 net metering with no time-of-use spread and outages are rare — in that case the storage premium buys little. The hybrid earns its premium when at least one of these is true: outages matter, rates punish peak hours, or export rates are falling.
Frequently asked questions
What does a hybrid solar inverter do?
It converts solar DC to household AC, manages a battery bank (charging and discharging), and controls the grid relationship — selling excess, buying when needed, and islanding the home during outages — all in one unit.
Hybrid inverter vs. regular inverter — what's the difference?
A regular (string) inverter only converts solar to AC and shuts down in outages. A hybrid adds native battery management and backup transfer, so your solar keeps working when the grid fails.
What size hybrid inverter do I need?
Match continuous output to your peak simultaneous load (5–8 kW covers most homes without central AC; 10 kW+ with it), and size the PV input ceiling 1.2–1.5x your array. Battery charge current should refill your bank in one good solar day.
Can a hybrid inverter work without batteries?
Yes — most run as plain grid-tie inverters until you add batteries later. That "battery-ready" path is a legitimate way to stage a budget.
Do hybrid inverters work off-grid?
Many do (Sol-Ark, EG4 XP series, Victron), but "hybrid" implies grid-interactive design. For permanent off-grid, verify the model's off-grid mode and generator support explicitly.
Pick the box
Portlandia Electric Supply stocks hybrid inverters from 4 kW to whole-home class in the hybrid inverters collection and the wider solar inverters collection — pair with battery storage and our energy storage systems for the complete system. Sizing between two models? Call the counter with your peak load and array size — we'll tell you which one we'd put on our own house.
