We all experience electricity cuts a lot of times, but we do not actually notice such things because of Inverters. However, the work done to produce electricity is relatively much more than you think. So, from our side, we must also take some measures to prevent excessive use of electricity.
According to us, one of the best ideas is to use Solar Energy and convert it to produce electricity. Now, you might be thinking that it’s going to be a huge investment. Believe us, and it’s not! In the times when you don’t have an electricity supply, you can have electricity from a Solar Inverter.
Basically, Solar Inverters store solar power in the batteries and you can easily extract in the time of need. Not only this solution is eco-friendly, but cost-effective in the long run as well. You can also choose from our picks of Best Solar Inverters in India.
But, before investing, make sure to go through some major factors:
- Size: Solar inverters are available in various sizes. For instance, a 50 Watts inverter is enough to supply power to one house.
- Power Rating: Power Rating is yet another crucial factor, so choose it accordingly. It ranges from 5000 to 50000, but a normal household takes up to 11000 watts.
- Efficiency: The efficiency of a solar inverter is measured by the ratio of output power to input power, the higher the ratio, the better the efficiency.
In case you have any confusion, you can check out the complete Buying guide for Solar Inverters which is given below.
Best Hybrid Solar Inverters for Home in India
| Solar Inverter | Power | DC Output | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LuminousHome UPS Solar Hybrid Inverter | 850 VA | 12V | 2 Years | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| MICROTEK Digital Solar Inverter | 113 VA | 12V | 2 Years | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Flin Energy Flinslim Lite Solar Hybrid Inverter | 3k VA | 24V | 2 Years | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Flin Energy Slim MPPT Hybrid Solar Inverter | 5k VA | 48V | 2 Years | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Luminous Solar Panel Inverter | 850 VA | 12V | 2+5+25+25 Years | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Exide Technologies Solar Inverter | 850VA | 12V | N/A | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Sukam Chromium Steel Brainy Echo Solar Inverter | 1100 VA | 12V | 2 Years | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Best Solar Inverter for Home in India 2020
1. Luminous 1100/12V Home UPS Solar Hybrid Inverter
First on our list is the Luminous Solar Hybrid inverter 1100 with 12 volts input. Luminous inverters are known for being intelligent and save power too.
The device does not come included with a battery. As for that, you would be using any Tubular battery with at least 2 different 150 ah capacity. You can also connect 2*200 ah batteries in parallel.
Given the solar and hybrid nature of the system, it can house and use any type of battery depending on how you charge it. But even if you regularly do not use solar panels for charging it, it is advised that you always go for a solar tubular battery than a regular one.
As mentioned previously, this inverter has the potential of 850 VA power output in both AC and DC. But when it comes to the 12 volts DC output, there have been complaints about the absence of this socket. The device is sturdy, durable and can last for very long.
There is a low battery indicator given at the bottom of the dashboard. Given the price of the product, the integrated solar charging option is a good plus point. Most importantly, Luminous provides you with a massive 2 years of manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros:
- Economically priced and quality product
- Hybrid (can use it for solar and normal charging too)
- Good battery connectivity
- Better suited for low powered applications at home
- 2 years manufacturer’s warranty
Cons:
- Easily heats up on excessive usage
- DC socket has been missing in some pieces.
2. MICROTEK Digital Solar Inverter
Next on our list is the Microtek Digital Solar UPS. Similar Luminous, Microtek is also solar and Grid-based solar inverter.
As is the case, it can provide 1135 VA power capacity in AC and DC power output along with a 12V of DC output. As for the battery, you can use any tubular or lead-acid battery as low as even 35ah too. But this gives you a very low back up whereas massive 220 ah batteries might take forever to charge to full. Ideal case scenario, go for batteries of order 150 ah. Even cascade them in parallel for faster charge and independent discharge.
It even has a 7 segment display that reads out on the status of the system when it is turned on. For the dashboard, you have the usual power on, power usage sign (if the device is using power from the grid or solar panels), overload and low power indicators.
This sinewave solar power system comes with save power technology, through which the Microtech stabilizer claims to provide very high performance. Also in cases of low or high cut off situations, it automatically cuts down the grid supply.
Though the product claims to be long-lasting and durable, it needs to work heavily on its reliability. There have been complaints about noise when the battery is getting recharged, the build quality and also the overloading issue of the battery. But as the product comes with a 2 years manufacturer’s warranty, there is not a lot of worries here.
Pros:
- Hybrid solar and grid power back up system
- Versatile with its 7 segment display
- 113VA power rating
- Neat dashboard with indicators for power supply, overload, charging, grid or solar usage
- Compatible with any type of tubular battery
- 2 years of manufacturer’s warranty
Cons:
- Makes some noise while charging
- The UPS may overload at times and needs to be monitored from time to time while charging.
3. Flin Energy Flinslim Lite Solar Hybrid Inverter
Flin is not your conventional solar system. It is a Pure Sinewave Hybrid inverter that comes with an inbuilt PWM solar charge controller and a massive 3kVA energy rating.
With 1500 watts of power output capacity, the device has 24 volts DC support. This inbuilt PWM solar controller helps you save more money on your conventional electricity bills. FlinSlim’s automatic features detect the power status of the home and then switch automatically between the solar and battery mode to save more energy.
During the day, the auto feature utilizes the solar energy to power your house whereas, during the night or in power cut darks, it makes use of the reserve energy to continue.
There is an inbuilt LCD screen which is very convenient compared to the conventional segment displays or simple LEDs of conventional solar systems. The menu buttons of the dashboard let you customize a total of 20 different settings and combinations. These include charging priority, voltage range, battery charging current and load priority. Understanding how to work with each of these settings help you save not just energy and money but also helps you use it wisely during emergencies.
Easily mountable on a wall, the body of the product is very slim. It has a 3kVA power rating and an impressive 24V DC out power with a maximum efficiency of 93%.
The issue for this inverter begins with its pricing and ends with its performance. Given the pricing, one would expect a crystal clear and smooth performance. First off, the company does not provide any kind of battery, solar panel or any extra equipment. While no solar system comes with such a package, this pricing comes with expectations.
Under ideal conditions, the performance of the device is good for efficiency but when it is charging or discharging, the noise of the fan is loud.
And as for the surge protection, though the company mentions that the product can handle it, it is advised that you buy an additional surge protector. While the warranty is for 2 years, only after the proper installation of the surge protectors, you will be able to claim the warranty.
Pros:
- Versatile and aesthetically good looking
- High energy rating (3kVA)
- 93% efficiency
- LCD screen instead of a segment display
Cons:
- The internal fan makes sounds while operating
- Warranty, though at 2 years, needs you to submit installation details
4. Flin Energy Slim MPPT Hybrid Solar Inverter
Yet another Flin inverter, the Flin Energy is a very slim MPPT inverter with a massive 5kVA power rating.
This 5kVA rating can give you an equally massive 5000 watts of power output along with 48V of DC output. For storage, with the appropriate battery setup, you can easily leverage the 4kW solar storage capacity.
Though the power output rating is 5000 watts, expect usage of 2600 Watts (approx maximum usage for a big household). For a power back up of 3 hours, place in 6 batteries of 135 ah of Tubular batteries.
The MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) solar charge controller facilitates the maximum capture and storage of solar energy. Also, the double surge power capacity with a high 93% peak efficiency makes this a reliable device for heavy electronics.
Slim, light in weight and easily mountable on a wall, the product also comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. In order to avail of this, you need to complete the customer registration on their website.
Pros:
- MPPT solar charge controller lets you store a maximum of the power
- Slim and aesthetically pleasing design
- Massive 5kVA power rating
- 5000 watts of output capacity (but 2600 of output is enough)
Cons:
- Pricey
- No installation support and this is linked to the 2 years warranty, which can be availed only post-registration.
5. Luminous NXZ1100 Solar Panel Inverter
Yet another Luminous inverter, this time, it is a package deal. The luminous NXG1100 solar inverter package comes with a tall tubular battery and 2 solar panels of 160 watts each.
Speaking of the inverter, it is an 850va sine wave hybrid solar inverter with a 12V DC output, the same product that we listed in the first.
As for the battery, the LPTT12150H is a C10 tall tubular solar battery of 150Ah capacity. Made specifically for this pack combo, this battery comes with a massive 60 months( 5 years) of warranty.
Coming to the 2 solar panels, they are 160 watts Poly Crystalline panels. They come with a massive warranty of 25 years.
The solar system, when set up, takes in power from the Solar panels and from the Grid mains too thus ideally saving about 1.5 to 3 units of power each day.
While the package deal is sweet and actually a good one, the real challenge does not lie in the package pricing but the installation. Luminous charges a one-time installation charge of 5000 rupees on the package installation.
Apart from that, you also have the operating noise issue with the NXG100 as we mentioned at the beginning.
Pros:
- Package deal with an inverter, battery and solar panels that are good for small households
- The 850Va Inverter comes with a warranty of 2 years
- The battery comes with 5 years of warranty and
- Both the panels come with 25 years of warranty
Cons:
- Installation charges
- The noise of the inverter
6. Luminous Solar Inverter – NXG1400/12V Home UPS
Yet another variant of solar inverters from Luminous, the NXG1400 is a 1100vA capacity inverter with a 12V DC output.
NXG1400 comes with ISOT technology. The Intelligent Solar Optimization Technique or the ISOT by Luminous includes fast charge through its i-charge technology and also its dual modes.
Firstly, i-charge technology enables faster dispersion of charge. This means that in order to battle predicted longer power cuts, you can charge up your batteries faster during the grid power availability.
As for the dual modes, the NXG solar UPS has an ECO and a UPS mode. The Eco mode is for running normal and low energy appliances such as lights or fans. Here, the energy expenditure is low. The UPS mode is ideal when you use this for non-interruptive devices such as computers.
For batteries, you can use two 150ah batteries in series for the inverter. The NXG inverter has AC and DC outputs to its back. But there is no GCD (Grid Charge Disable) option for the inverter. This means that though it is intelligent enough to switch between GRID and Solar, you cannot voluntarily change it.
Also, there is the issue of power consumption. While this can be solved with selecting smaller batteries, it is still advised for users to practice caution. As is the case with almost all Luminous inverters, this one too comes with 2 years of manufacturer’s warranty
Pros:
- ISOT by Luminous which makes the inverter smart enough to switch between GRID and Solar power
- i-Charge technology lets the battery charge faster
- It comes with dual modes. Eco mode for low energy appliances and UPS mode for non-interruptive appliances
- 2 years manufacturer’s warranty
Cons:
- No manual GCD (Grid Charge Disable). It only switches between solar and grid automatically
- Could improve the build quality
7. Exide Technologies 12V 40Amps Solar Inverter
Next on our list is Exide technologies’ 850VA pure sinewave hybrid solar inverter with a 12 V DC output.
It has an intelligent current profile selection for charging and discharging. Its PCU technology lets it run directly on Solar Power during the day time and save up on the charged power.
The efficiency of the solar charger is more than 95% and there is very low self-consumption. As for the panels, you can easily go for panels with more than 1000 watts of the power range.
There is a fully controlled internal charge regulator present inside. The seven segment LCD present in the dashboard lets you toggle with the various different settings and operation modes of choice.
With intelligent battery protection and electronic overcharge protection, it goes without saying that the battery connection is in safe hands.
As is the case with most of these products, the noise makes a lot of noise while the device is on. There is a warranty on Exide solar panels but the warranty on these inverters is not specified.
Pros:
- 850VA of power rating
- 95% efficiency and low self-consumption
- Has a seven segment display
- Can Support 2 of 1000 watt solar panels
Cons:
- Customer service needs to improve
- Warranty not specified
8. Sukam Chromium Steel 1100Va Brainy Echo Solar Inverter
Finally, we have the Sukam Brainy Echo solar inverter, a chromium steel machine with an appreciated 1100 Va of power rating.
Its automatic temperature compensation prevents it from getting overheated. You can connect upto 3 of the solar panels with each having 150 to 300 watts of power (effectively up to 900 watts of power).
Though the device is hybrid, the priority for charging is solar and it only takes in the grid current when solar is unavailable. The device has protection against bouts of high current and also there is the PV reverse protection.
As of there are no major complaints on performance but there are issues with the build quality. There seems to be some free fallen nut inside the device that makes certain noise. Also, there is the issue of customer service.
There is a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty on the product. It is safe to say that if you have the patience to get the customer service to listen to you, this is actually a good high performance product.
Pros:
- Automatic temperature compensation
- Solar first priority in charging
- Surge protection
- PV reverse protection
- 2 years warranty
Cons:
- Customer service
- Could improve the build quality
- No screen or LCD for clear toggling
How to Choose a Solar Inverter?
When you wish to have solar inverters in your home, you need to consider several factors like the types, efficiency, battery life, power rating, and finally the price. Go ahead and read how these factors greatly help you to decide the right one and also helps in improving the performance of the inverter.
1. Types
There are 3 main types of solar inverters depending on the output they produce.
- Sine Wave – This is what you receive from your local utility company or from a generator. The best thing about this type of inverter is that it is compatible with almost all appliances and types of equipment available in the market. Most appliances require sine wave to work to their fullest efficiency.
- Modified Sine Wave – This is almost like a sine wave but it has a square pattern. It is compatible with almost all types of equipment, but the equipment will have low efficiency in the case of modified cine wave and as a result, they will use more power.
- Square Wave – This is the cheapest type of inverter available in the market but it is seldom used because it is not compatible with most appliances and equipment. It may, however, be used to run simple tools with universal motors.
2. Efficiency
The efficiency of an inverter is the ratio of output power to input power. The efficiency of a solar inverter depends on its load. It is never possible to achieve 100% efficiency because some of the power is lost due to the heat generated.
3. Size
An inverter must be able to meet two power requirements – peak power/surge power and typical power. Surge power is the maximum amount of power that an inverter can supply for a short period of time. This surge is required for staring up appliances with electric motors such as pumps and refrigerators. Typical power is the power that an inverter can supply on a steady rate. Typical power is much less than surge power. An inverter with a power rating of 50 watts is good enough for home use.
4. Power Rating
Solar inverters come in different power ratings ranging from 50 watts to 50000 watts but a household seldom needs more than 11000 watts power. Almost all standard solar inverters come in 50 to 5000 watts range.
5. Internal Protection Features
It is best to choose a solar inverter that comes with good safety features that protect the components against overload, lightning surges, etc.
6. Battery life
The battery life of an inverter explains how long the device can run using the power supply. In other words, it can be illustrated as the number of cycles it runs or charges the inverter till its end. It is usually expressed in milli-ampere per hour (mah).
My personal advice is to have inverters with long battery life as it saves a lot of power due to the usage of high-end material like lithium-ion, nickel- hydride, etc.
7. Manufacturer’s warranty
Manufacturer’s warranty is another important thing that you should look into before buying a solar inverter. If the product you wish to have or like is from a reputed brand and offers very good warranty services (say.. years), then you can opt for it without any delay.
Beware of brands that offer poor quality products and no warranty services.
8. Affordable price
The last one you need to consider apart from the above-mentioned factors is the price. Your budget on inverters will let you decide your choice and requirements. If you have enough money, then grab the high-end model inverters that have a very long battery life and come with advanced options. Otherwise, you can go with the simple models that match with your needs and also available at very low prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the lifespan of a solar inverter?
The solar inverter has a maximum life of 25-years. But most of the branded models tend to have a lifetime of 10-years. Actually the lifespan of the solar inverter completely depends on factors like maintenance, quality of the material and battery usage. Malfunctioning of the device (internal circuitry) may also diminish the life expectancy of an inverter.
2. How does solar inverter work?
The solar inverter uses an inverting technology to convert the direct current (DC) into the alternating current (AC) that can be fed to the electrical circuits later. It produces different signals like sine or square wave to make the electronic devices run efficiently for a specific purpose and can be adjusted with proper protection.
3. Can you differentiate AC and DC currents?
Alternating current (AC) explains the periodic flow of charges in only one direction. It can also be expressed as the change in the direction of electric current n-times at regular intervals of time. With the help of AC, you can power up the motors and generators of the same device and many other applications like refrigerators, dishwashers, etc. that completely run on AC.
Whereas in Direct current (DC) the flow of charge is unidirectional and offers the constant voltage or current. This mechanism is mostly seen in low-voltage appliances like fuel cells, telecommunication, and the automotive industry.
4. What should be the size of an inverter you choose?
As we all know that inverter is rated in watts and hence all the inverter appliances have a wattage rating. It may not be same for all electronic appliances and can be calculated as:
Wattage= Power (in watts) = Voltage(volts)*Current(amperes)
Given the below table explains the different electronic devices and their wattage readings. Check it out!
| Electronic Appliances | Wattage Rating |
| Mobile | 50 |
| Ceiling fan | 120 |
| X-box | 100 |
| Computer | 125 |
| TV | 300 |
| Oven | 1500 |
| Iron box | 1000 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 1225-1500 |
5. How to select the right inverter for home appliances?
If you are planning to have an inverter in your home, then you need to select the right inverter as the power required for your home is completely different. So you can’t blindly select the inverters as you need to consider several factors like battery life, power utilization, efficiency, power backup options, and protection. There are different types of inverters available in the market and you need to select them as per your requirement like for supplying power to ACs, refrigerators, bulbs, and outdoor gardening lights, pathway strip lights, etc.
6. Do solar inverters produce noise?
Yes, solar inverters do make a lot of noise (expressed in decibels-dB). It’s very horrible to hear it as you may doubt the malfunctioning of the device. But it’s actually not. It generally produces a lot of noise when used to power high-end products like ACs, refrigerators (25dB).
7. Do solar inverters emit radiations?
No, solar inverters do not produce harmful radiation. As the inverters associated with an electrical or electronic device creates an electromagnetic field which does not create any negative effects while using. Hence solar inverters are good to use and can be handled safely by the children.
Wrapping it up:
With an 850Va power rating, economic pricing and high-quality build, along with its 2 years of manufacturer’s warranty, the Luminous Solar hybrid 1100/12V Home UPS wins our list of being the best solar inverter in India. While those were our picks, we would love to hear your views. Did we miss out on something? Or any facts? Be sure to write to us in the comments section below so that our product expert team will get right back to you with a solution.
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