Grid-Tie Power Inverter

Grid Tie Power Inverter: Choosing a Hybrid Unit for Your Home

A grid tie inverter converts DC from your panels into 120/240V household power and synchronizes with the utility, so solar offsets your bill and any surplus flows to the grid. Every unit in this collection is a hybrid: it also charges and discharges a 48V battery bank and keeps the house running when the utility drops, which a plain string inverter cannot do. They are the brain of a residential system, sitting between panels, battery, grid and, in most cases, a generator input.

The collection holds 22 inverters from Sol-Ark, EG4, Rich Solar and Sungold Power, from 10,000W to 60kW three-phase. Prices start from $2,949 for the Rich Solar NOVA 12K and top out at $14,455 for the Sol-Ark 60K commercial unit; most homes land between $3,000 and $6,500.

How to choose a grid tie solar inverter

• Continuous AC output. Add the loads that run together during an outage. A typical home with central air needs 10 to 12kW: the Rich Solar NOVA 12K gives 10,000W continuous, the Sol-Ark 12K 12,000W, and the Sol-Ark 15K 15,000W.
• PV input capacity. Size the inverter for the array you will end up with. The NOVA 12K takes 12,000W of PV, the Sol-Ark 12K 15kW at up to 500V, the EG4 FlexBOSS18 18,000W across two MPPTs and the EG4 FlexBOSS21 21,000W across three MPPTs and five strings. More trackers means roof faces at different angles can each run at their best.
• Whole-home pass-through. If you do not want a critical-loads sub-panel, look for 200A pass-through. The Sungold Power 11.4kW SGN-11K15PRO and the Sungold SGS-12K18MAX both back up the full 200A service.
• Certifications and listing. Utilities commonly ask for UL 1741 (the NOVA 12K) or UL 1741 SB (SGS-12K18MAX), and battery systems increasingly for UL 9540 pairings such as the FlexBOSS line. Check what your utility's interconnection form requires before you order.
• Special cases. Sol-Ark's 12K EMP and 15K EMP add EMP hardening; the 30K and 60K are 3-phase commercial units; the FlexBOSS18 has built-in 4G for sites without reliable internet.

Popular picks in this collection

Setup and usage tips

• Run the Solar Kit Calculator with your appliances and ZIP code to get an inverter size in watts and a matching array and battery, then pick from the models above.
• File the interconnection application before installation. Your utility approves the inverter model and settings; an on grid tie inverter that is not on their list slows the process.
• Match the battery communication protocol. Closed-loop operation between inverter and 48V battery gives accurate state of charge; confirm your battery brand is supported by the inverter you choose.
• Mind string voltage in winter. Cold mornings push panel voltage up; keep the string below the inverter's maximum PV input voltage (500V on the Sol-Ark 12K) with margin.
• Plan the generator input if you have one. Most units here accept a generator on a dedicated port, useful for extended outages in low-sun months.
• Outdoor mounting is fine for units with an IP65 or NEMA 4X housing (SGS-12K18MAX, FlexBOSS21); check the spec before placing others outside.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best grid tie inverter for a house with a 200A panel? One with 200A pass-through so the whole panel is backed up: the Sungold SGN-11K15PRO or SGS-12K18MAX. If you prefer the Sol-Ark ecosystem, the 15K pairs with an external transfer arrangement your installer will specify.

Can a hybrid inverter work without a battery? Most can run grid-tied with solar only, and you add the battery later. You lose backup during outages until the battery is installed.

Do I need an electrician? Yes. Any grid tie inverter for sale here connects to your service panel and utility, which requires a licensed install and inspection in the US.

Inverters ship free to the mainland US from brand partner warehouses, usually within a few business days, with 30-day returns. Call us with your panel count and battery plans and we will confirm the right model.