What You Need to Know About Solar Hybrid Inverter Hardware

Have you ever considered having a hybrid solar inverter installed in your home? If not, you could be missing out on significant savings each month on your energy bills. While just under 5% of the UK’s power is currently supplied via solar technology, it's a figure on the rise, and those who adopt it can look forward to protection from the energy insecurity that may become a reality in years to come.

Hybrid inverters sit at the very forefront of energy efficiency, blending the best of both worlds of solar energy and battery storage. This means not only harnessing the sun's energy to power your home but also storing excess energy for later use.

In this article, we take a look at what a hybrid PV inverter is, how much having one installed might cost, and what's involved in choosing the right hardware for your needs.

Essentially, a hybrid solar inverter is an innovative piece of hardware that excels in managing solar energy. Acting as a control centre for your entire solar power system, it efficiently takes the electricity gathered by solar panels and converts it from its unusable AC form into DC current.

The 'hybrid’ in its name refers to the fact that it does two separate tasks: firstly, converting solar energy for immediate use and secondly, storing energy in a battery like the one found in the Power Ocean Home Battery System, allowing it to be used at a later date.

The net result is a system that gives you abundant solar energy when the sun is shining and a reserve that can be tapped into when it's not. It's hardware that makes your home more self-sufficient and less reliant on the UK's main power grid.

There are fundamental differences in how a standard and a hybrid PV inverter work. Both are key elements in solar power systems. Still, they have the following distinctions:

• Functionality - A standard PV inverter converts sunlight collected through solar panels into usable electricity for immediate use. While a hybrid inverter does the same thing, it also has the ability to charge and manage a battery system, giving you power for use on your terms
• Energy Storage - A standard solar inverter can't store any energy, meaning that any unused electricity is sent back to the main grid.
• Power Source Management - A standard PV inverter only handles the power received from the connected solar panels, whereas a hybrid PV inverter manages solar panel energy and your home battery, giving you optimal home energy use.

The hybrid solar inverter price you'll pay is usually higher than the standard option due to the increased complexity and extra features that it offers, so it's up to the customer to decide what functionality is required and make the appropriate choice.

A 5kW Hybrid solar inverter is something of a powerhouse when it comes to the appliances it can help you run. Anything that you use today with the help of the main grid can be run by a hybrid PV inverter, such as any of the following:

• Lighting: It can easily power all the lights in your home, irrespective of whether they're energy-saving LEDs or traditional bulbs.
• Kitchen Appliances: Your fridge, microwave, and smaller gadgets like blenders and toasters can run smoothly.
• Entertainment Devices: TVs, gaming consoles, and stereo systems are all within its capacity.
• Computing Equipment: Laptops, desktop computers, and Wi-Fi routers can be powered.
• Heating and Cooling: It can handle smaller air conditioning units or fans, keeping your space comfortable.
• Laundry Appliances: Washing machines and clothes dryers can be operated, though maybe not simultaneously with heavy-use items.

Selecting the most suitable hybrid solar inverter setup for your needs depends very much on the type and size of property you have. Each home has its own needs in terms of electricity. Here's a rundown of the considerations you must make:

• House size and overall energy use - a larger family home is going to have higher energy demands due to the amount of space that needs to be heated and the number of appliances that might be running. As such, a more powerful inverter will be required.
• Roof space - the amount of roof space your property has will dictate the size of solar panels that can be installed upon it. The more panels there are, the more robust your inverter needs to be.
• Sunlight exposure - a South-facing roof in the UK is going to get more than any other, meaning that more solar power will be generated. Again, an inverter that can handle this increased energy most efficiently will be required.
• Battery storage needs - if your property is prone to power outages, you might want to consider having a battery with a larger capacity installed so that you're protected.

Your budget - the money you're able to invest and your energy-saving aims also play a huge part in the hardware that you choose. That means weighing up the overall savings against the money that will be saved over the long term.

When you invest in a Hybrid PV inverter, you gain energy independence today and for many years to come. Thanks to systems like the EcoFlow PowerOcean Home Battery Solution, you get lower energy bills and protection from the volatility of the UK energy market. There's an initial investment that must be met, but that's soon recouped as your reliance on the grid reduces.

To find out more about acquiring an energy-saving EcoFlow inverter and Home Battery System for your home or business, take a few minutes to browse our website, which shows you everything you need to know about the benefits on offer.

Alternatively, click 'Order Now' on our homepage to get a free quote based on your unique requirements. Our team is ready and waiting to give you the assistance you need.