A solar inverter (solar PV inverter) is a dependable and safe power source converter. As an essential component of a solar power system, a solar inverter converts Direct Current (DC electricity or DC power) into Alternating Current (AC electricity or AC power).



PV systems play an important role in accelerating solar innovation and meeting the advanced energy demands for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.



A solar inverter uses a clean, pollution-free, and renewable energy source to power household appliances, industrial equipment, utility grids, etc. Solar PV inverters increase property value and decrease electricity and maintenance costs while helping reduce the greenhouse effect.



The rise of the “clean energy economy” is enabling businesses and households to achieve energy self-sufficiency through a wide array of solar power inverters available in different configurations and sizes.



Apart from standard inverters, solar PV inverter manufacturers are introducing technologically advanced inverter variants and related products to make greener and smarter energy available for a plethora of PV inverter applications.



Do you want to learn more about the top 10 solar PV inverter brands? Read on.



Table of Contents
What is a Solar Inverter?

Top 10 Solar Inverter Manufacturers

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd.
SMA Solar Technology AG
Power Electronics S.L.
FIMER S.p.A.
TMEIC
Ginlong Technologies
Growatt New Energy
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.
Sineng Electric Co., Ltd.
Blackridge Research & Consulting – Global Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Inverter Market Report

Wrapping Up



What is a Solar Inverter?


A solar inverter (also known as a “solar PV (photovoltaic) inverter,” “solar panel inverter,” or a “solar module inverter”) converts direct current (DC) power output from solar panels into alternating current (AC).



Why is an inverter necessary in a solar panel system? Without an inverter, it is not feasible to convert the electricity generated by a solar panel into usable electricity.



A typical solar energy system consists of:

Solar panels (absorb sunlight)
A mounting structure (holds the panels in place)
An inverter (converts DC current into AC current)
Batteries (store extra power)
A Balance-of-System (BOS) and
A grid box


Among solar battery options, the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery is suitable for solar power applications due to its good electrical performance, safety, stability, non-flammability, and easy maintenance.



The following types of solar PV inverters are commonly used for residential, commercial, and utility-scale installations:

Central Inverter


Central inverters or large-scale grid inverters are utility-scale inverters with a wide range—from hundreds of kWs to hundreds of MWs. Central inverters combine all of the direct current received from solar panels and turn it into alternating current, all at once.



Grid-tied Inverter/Grid Inverter


Grid-tied inverters or grid inverters feed power into the electrical grid by corresponding phase and frequency. These inverters deliver power directly from the solar panels when solar energy is available and shut down automatically if there is a loss of supply from the utility.



Hybrid Inverter


Hybrid inverters help store surplus solar energy in a battery system for self-use. A hybrid inverter can provide a small amount of backup power during a power outage and also act as a standard solar inverter by exporting excess solar energy to the utility grid.



Micro-Inverter


A single micro-inverter works with each solar panel. A micro-inverter transforms direct current into alternating current and the aggregated output is routed to a grid or battery bank. Micro-inverters are small and portable with all the features of central inverters. High in performance and compact in size, micro inverters work well in a variety of applications.



Off-grid Inverter/Regular Inverter


Regular or off-grid inverters are a great choice for boats, commercial buses, mountain cabins, RVs, and vacation homes, as well as for potential power outages. An off-grid inverter cannot synchronize with the electrical grid and draws power from a battery instead of working with the grid power.



String Inverter


A string inverter is connected to a string of solar panels, known as a “solar array.” Generally, a solar array consists of 15 solar panels.



String inverters combine the direct current received from solar arrays and turn it into alternating current. Such inverters are mostly used in commercial and residential solar projects like carport, rooftop, ground mount and tracker installations.



Top 10 Solar Inverter Manufacturers


The big five solar PV inverter manufacturers—Huawei, Sungrow, SMA, Power Electronics, and FIMER—dominate the market with more than 50% share of the solar PV inverter business.



Here are the leading solar PV inverter manufacturers:

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Founded: 1987

Location: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China



Huawei is a globally recognized Chinese manufacturer. The inverter company provides FusionSolar smart PV solutions for commercial, residential, and utility applications.



Huawei’s FusionSolar residential inverter portfolio includes:

Smart Energy Controller (single phase)
Smart Energy Controller (three phase)
Smart String Energy Storage System
Backup Box
Smart Dongle-WLAN-FE/4G
Smart PV Optimizer
Smart Power Sensor


The FusionSolar Smart PV Management System features a single app for all access procedures. Moreover, it enables one-click ticket dispatching and site navigation, centralized management of multiple plants, and module-level monitoring.



Huawei’s FusionSolar utility and commercial portfolio includes a versatile range of smart string inverters and digital PV solutions with significant features, such as:

4/6/9/10 MPPTs (maximum power point tracking) for adaptability to different layouts
8/12/18/20 strings for fast troubleshooting and intelligent monitoring
AI-powered AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) to proactively reduce fire risk
Upgraded safety with < 0.5% failure rate


Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. (Sungrow)
Founded: 1997

Location: Hefei, Anhui, China



Sungrow is one of the most bankable inverter brands in the world. In addition to a dedicated R&D team, the company also has an in-house testing center approved by SGS (derived from French “Société Générale de Surveillance”), CSA (Canadian Standards Association), and TÜV Rheinland (derived from German “Technischer Überwachungsverein” (Technical Inspection Association)).



According to the company, it launched the world’s largest inverter factory in 2019.



Sungrow offers a broad portfolio of PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems (for residential, C&I (commercial & industrial), and utility-scale applications) and floating PV plant solutions.



Sungrow’s PV system products include:



String Inverters



Sungrow’s reliable and user-friendly string inverters are available in a power range from 2.5 kW to 250 kW.



Some key features of these inverters are:

Corrosion protection rating at C5
Plug-and-play installation
Online IV curve scan and diagnosis
Optimized heat dissipation design
Lower startup and wider MPPT voltage range


Central Inverters



Sungrow central inverters are ideal for utility-scale applications, such as large buildings, large field arrays, industrial facilities, and floating installations. The inverters are available in a standard 10- or 20-foot container size with a power output range from 500 kW to 6.8 MW.



Some key features of these inverters are:

Advanced 3-level technology (maximum efficiency of 99%)
Low system cost
IP65 protection
Low/high voltage ride through (L/HVRT)
Modular design and convenient external touch screen


Turnkey Solutions



Sungrow’s adaptable turnkey solar solutions (ranging from 1.25 MW to 6.8 MW) are tailored to project needs and the environment.



Some key features of these inverters are:

Effective cooling, with full power operation at 45°C and 50°C
Low transportation and installation costs
Integrated current and voltage monitoring function (for effective troubleshooting)
Active and reactive power control and power ramp-rate control (PRRC)


SMA Solar Technology AG
Founded: 1981

Location: Niestetal, Northern Hesse, Germany



SMA is a well-known name in solar PV system technology. The leading German solar equipment supplier is enabling the transition to a decentralized and self-sufficient renewable energy supply.



From small house systems and commercial systems to stand-alone grids, SMA offers a wide range of inverters for various applications.



Whether the requirement is for a private home or a large-scale commercial plant, the inverters are customizable, quick, and easy to install for intelligent solar power generation.



SMA’s solar inverter portfolio includes the SMA Sunny series:



String inverters include:

Sunny Tripower X (12 kW/15 kW/20 kW/25 kW)
Sunny Tripower (3.0/4.0/5.0/6.0/8.0/10.0)
Sunny Tripower CORE1
Sunny Tripower CORE2
Sunny Tripower Smart Energy (5.0/6.0/8.0/10.0)
Sunny Highpower PEAK3
Sunny Boy (1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0/3.6/4.0/5.0/6.0)


Central inverters

Sunny Central UP
Sunny Central (2200/2475/2500-EV/2750-EV/3000-EV)


Higher yields, reduced costs, greater flexibility, and improved safety are some of the primary advantages of using SMA inverters.



Furthermore, SMA Smart Connected is a free-of-charge service that offers the benefits of automatic inverter monitoring, automatic fault analysis and user notification, and an automatic replacement process.



Power Electronics S.L.
Founded: 1987

Location: Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain



Power Electronics (PE) is a Spanish multinational company that is a leading supplier of utility-scale plant installations in America, Europe, and Oceania. From design and manufacture to testing, Power Electronics specializes in power electronic devices, energy storage, and industrial automation.



Power Electronics offers the following utility-scale solar inverters:

HEM (medium-voltage inverter)
HEMK (powerful compact inverter)
MV SKID (low to medium voltage)
TWIN SKID (low to medium voltage)
EMS and PPC Pro


Here are the notable features of PE’s solar inverters:



Active Heating



The inverter imports a small amount of power (when the unit does not actively export power) to keep the internal ambient temperature above -20°C without using external resistors.



Advanced Grid Support



The inverters can operate on any power system and offer advanced grid functionalities, such as fast frequency response and synthetic inertia.



Bus Plus



The Bus Plus feature provides cost-effectiveness of solar-plus-storage and allows the connection of up to 4 Freemaq DC/DC converters.



Easy Maintenance



The inverters combine the advantages of central inverters with the modularity of string inverters for easy maintenance. The fast and reliable plug-and-play assembly system includes up to 4 FRUs (field replaceable units).



Higher Energy Production and Efficiency



While PPC Pro maximizes energy production, EMC provides uninterrupted power to the entire plant and reduces electricity costs due to higher efficiency.



ICOOL 3



The proprietary air ventilation system provides a consistent flow of clean air inside the equipment without the need for liquid cooling.



3-level IGBT Topology



The 3-level IGBT topology increases inverter efficiency, reduces stage losses, and minimizes total harmonic distortion.



FIMER S.p.A.
Founded: 1942

Location: Monza, Lombardia, Italy



FIMER is a leading solar inverter maker. FIMER specializes in central inverters, string inverters, micro-grid solutions, turnkey stations, and other PV solutions for C&I, residential, and utility-scale applications. In 2020, FIMER acquired ABB’s solar inverter business.



FIMER’s solar inverter portfolio includes:



Solar inverters for building applications



FIMER’s single- and three-phase inverters for residential applications help homeowners control and monitor energy production and consumption through any mobile device.



Moreover, string inverters with integrated energy storage enable households to store excess energy and use it when needed. String inverters for decentralized commercial and industrial power generation also provide greater efficiency and lead to sustainable growth.



Solar inverters for utility applications



FIMER’s central inverters and plug-and-play stations offer maximized total efficiency and an attractive ROI (return on investment).



The central inverters are designed for large-scale solar power generation and provide high efficiency and reliability with low auxiliary power consumption.



As the inverters ensure smart connectivity with controllability, digital grid compatibility is better with FIMER’s decades-old experience and engineering know-how.



TMEIC
Founded: 2003

Location: Tokyo, Japan



TMEIC (Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation) was formed as a joint venture (JV) between Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation’s industrial system divisions.



TMEIC has decades of power electronics experience serving several industries, such as cement, mining, oil & gas, and renewable energy. The company delivers life cycle support services—from introduction through maintenance and support to modernization.



TMEIC’s comprehensive range of product categories comprises motors, generators, AC drives (low and medium voltage), DC drives, PV inverters, and UPS systems.



The company’s 1500 V PV inverters include:



Solar Ware Universal PCS



The new modular inverter system uses the IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor)-based power conversion system and provides high reliability with multiple-layer flexibility.



The inverter has a customizable block with up to 6 units on the same skid. In addition, the fully modular design allows for an individual MPPT for better yield and totally independent inverters for increased availability. The design also allows for multiple output options with different MPPT ranges.



SOLAR WARE 2550



The utility-scale PV inverter is easy to install and provides an optimal opex model that uses heat pipe-based hybrid cooling technology to simplify thermal management. Moreover, the proprietary 3-level IGBT architecture reduces switching loss and increases performance through reactor size optimization.



Ginlong (Ginlong Technologies)
Founded: 2005

Location: Ningbo, Zhejiang, China



Ginlong Technologies (Ginlong Solis) provides cost-effective solar inverter solutions to commercial, residential, and utility-scale users. The company offers solar inverters under the “Solis” brand and maintains a global supply chain with world-class manufacturing and R&D facilities.



Ginlong offers the following PV inverters and inverter accessories:

Single-Phase Inverter (3.6-5 kW/6-10 kW)
Three-Phase Inverter (25-40 kW/50-66 kW/75-100 kW)
Utility Scale Inverter (125K/125K1/125-255K)
Energy Storage Inverter (5-10 kW)
Cellular data logger
Autotransformer
SolisCloud (Solis PV monitoring platform)
PLC CCO (Central Controller (CCO) for power line communication in PV systems)
S3-WIFI-ST (plug-and-play, real-time monitoring)
S2-WL-ST (data logging stick for WiFi and LAN communication)


Ginlong’s single-phase string inverters are highly efficient and ideal for residential rooftop systems with various roof orientations. Moreover, the built-in MLRSD transmitter ensures personnel safety and regulatory compliance.



The three-phase inverters have a higher generation efficiency and more flexible configurations. The NEMA 4X inverters come with a separable wiring box that facilitates easy installation, operation, and maintenance.



Furthermore, the utility-scale inverter features high-precision intelligent monitoring that reduces fault location time. The fuse-free design ensures safety and zero maintenance. Other notable features include AFCI protection and high power tracking density.



Growatt New Energy
Founded: 2011

Location: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China



Growatt is a leading inverter brand with 3.8+ million inverters shipped worldwide and systems installed in 150+ countries. Growatt’s smart energy solutions consist of energy storage systems, EV chargers, PV inverters, and smart energy management solutions.



The company invests heavily in R&D and is a top-ranked supplier of commercial and residential inverters.



Growatt’s product portfolio comprises:

Commercial rooftop inverters
Large commercial and utility inverters
Off-grid storage inverters
Residential inverters
Residential storage inverters


From commercial rooftops to ground-mounted solar plants, Growatt’s user-friendly inverters are suitable for various applications.



What are the major advantages of Growatt inverters?

Big capacity (up to 80 kW)
Enhanced safety and reliability (AC/DC Type II SPD (surge protection device) and IP65 protection rating)
Fast processing capability
High system yield (maximum efficiency of 99% and wide working voltage)


SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.
Founded: 2006

Location: Herzliya, Tel Aviv, Israel



SolarEdge provides easy-to-install, efficient, and reliable solar PV inverters to business owners and homeowners. SolarEdge’s optimizer-per-panel approach facilitates module-level monitoring and makes it easier for the inverters to handle only power inversion—resulting in greater simplicity and more reliability.



Among a broad range of products, SolarEdge’s inverter products include:



Single-Phase Inverters with HD-Wave Technology



The single-phase inverter is a more cost-effective, lighter, and reliable inverter compatible with the SolarEdge power optimizers.



Based on an innovative power conversion technology, the inverter supports easy installation and ensures high efficiency irrespective of string length and temperature.



Three-Phase Inverters



The three-phase inverter blends efficient power conversion architecture with leading-edge digital control technology for superior solar power harvesting.



A built-in module-level monitoring receiver aggregates a PV module’s power optimizer performance data that is used for fault detection, performance analysis, and troubleshooting of PV systems.



Inverter commissioning is also easier with the inverter SetApp mobile application for the new range of SolarEdge three-phase inverters. Furthermore, SolarEdge inverters are SunSpec Modbus (a communication and interoperability standard) compliant for assured performance and safety.



Three-Phase Inverters with Synergy Technology



The new-generation three-phase inverter with Synergy technology provides the right mix of lightweight design and high capacity. While the innovative pre-commissioning feature streamlines the installation process, the Synergy Manager provides easy access and serviceability.



A built-in nighttime PID (potential induced degradation) rectifier, SafeDC™ (reduces DC voltage to touch-safe levels), and thermal sensors are other features that optimize performance and safety.



In addition, SolarEdge’s mySolarEdge monitoring app for residential and commercial system owners empowers them to fix routine system issues.



Sineng Electric Co., Ltd.
Founded: 2012

Location: Jiangsu, China



Sineng Electric provides a broad range of solar inverters, energy storage systems, and power quality control solutions. The company specializes in power electronics and renewable energy products, with an advanced PV Inverter Engineering Technology Research Center.



Sineng Electric’s PV inverter product portfolio comprises:



String Inverter (1000 V/1500 V)



String inverters are widely used in hilly utility PV plants and C&I rooftops. With a three-level, soft switching technology and wide MPPT voltage range, the inverters are available in varying power capacities (40 kW-250 kW).



Central Inverter (1000 V central inverter and turnkey station/1500 V central inverter and turnkey station)



Central inverters are highly efficient, yield more power, and adapt to various harsh environments (high dust, high humidity, high temperature, salt spray, etc.).



The 1000 V/1500 V central inverters are designed for industrial applications and provide significant efficiency and power generation advantages.



Furthermore, the 1000 V and 1500 V turnkey stations serve as MV (medium voltage) stations with integrated communication and monitoring, as well as inverter and transformer systems.



Central Distributed Inverter (1000 V series)



Central distributed inverters adapt to challenging environments and provide centralized inversion with distributed MPP tracking. While string P-V (photovoltaic) curve scanning accurately locates string faults, string-level MPPT increases power generation and reduces string mismatch loss.



Sienergy PV Station O&M Platform



The Sienergy PV Station O&M Platform is based on advanced technologies, such as Big Data and IoT (Internet of Things). It applies to diverse scenarios of PV plants (C&I, residential, and utility). The platform consists of:

Smart Sineng Cloud
Sineng home portal
Array controller
Distributed data logger
DIN-Rail Logger LDW-1
DIN-Rail Logger LD4G-2


Other major players in the solar PV inverter industry include Fronius (Austria) and Schneider Electric SE (France), as well as Enphase Energy, Morningstar Corporation, and Tesla (all three companies from the United States).



Fronius inverters are suitable for varied customer requirements—from a family home to a large-scale system. Schneider Electric offers a variety of grid tie string inverters and residential energy storage products.



While Enphase Energy specializes in residential and commercial solar-plus-storage solutions, Morningstar provides a full range of solar charge controller models with specific charge ratings.



As an essential component of a home solar system, Tesla Solar Inverter converts DC power into AC power and comes with robust safety features for added protection. Built on Tesla Powerwall technology, the inverter is more efficient and reliable with energy monitoring, metering, and smart controls for customization.



Blackridge Research & Consulting – Global Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Inverter Market Report


Do you want to know the exact ranking and respective market share of the leading solar PV inverter manufacturers? Blackridge Research & Consulting’s global solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter market report provides a meticulous analysis of the solar PV inverter market based on:

Geography (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America)
Type (Hybrid, Micro, and String (Central))


In addition, you’ll find deep insights into the most influential solar PV inverter market drivers and restraints, competitive landscape, present and future market opportunities, market trends, regional markets, etc.



Whether you want to save on your first purchase or multiple purchases, get in touch to know more about the introductory offer and instant savings. Blackridge Research & Consulting provides custom research services and free report customization.



Furthermore, all report purchases come with up to 60 minutes of exclusive analyst access and post-purchase analyst support up to a year.



Wrapping Up


The major solar inverter manufacturers have left an industry-leading footprint in the ever-growing solar PV inverter market. The global inverter market is expected to witness significant growth due to the surge in demand for renewable energy, continued rural electrification, supportive government policies, etc.



Previously, an inverter manufacturer didn’t have wider access to residential/community solar installations. However, the growing number of residential solar installers in recent years has improved the growth prospects for solar PV inverter makers.



Given the increasing importance of solar PV inverters in residential, commercial, and industrial solar power systems, inverter companies will be instrumental in making the most of renewable energy in the future.