Solar inverters are the heart of a solar power system, converting sunlight into usable electricity for your home. The right inverter boosts panel efficiency, maximizes energy production, and optimizes overall system performance. While top solar companies will select the best inverter for your setup, understanding how they work and the leading residential manufacturers can help you make an informed decision.
This guide explains how solar inverters function and their role in energy conversion. It also highlights some of the top solar inverter brands to consider for your home.
4 Best Solar Companies of 2025
- Blue Raven Solar: Most Reputable
- Venture Solar: Best Northeast Regional Installer
- Solar Energy World: Best East Coast Installer
- Sunrun: Best Solar Panel Leasing
What Is a Solar Inverter?
A solar inverter is a crucial component of a solar energy system, converting solar power into usable electricity for your home. Solar panels absorb sunlight and generate direct current (DC) electricity, but most homes in the U.S. use alternating current (AC) power. The inverter bridges this gap by converting DC electricity into AC power, making it compatible with your household appliances and electrical system.
Because solar inverters connect directly to your solar panels and home, they provide valuable insights into energy production. Many solar monitoring systems rely on inverters to track panel performance, energy consumption, and potential issues. The inverter transmits this data via Wi-Fi, allowing homeowners to monitor energy output through a mobile app or web portal. Depending on the type of inverter, you may receive system-wide energy readings or individual panel performance details.
Inverters also play a key role in managing stored energy. When DC power flows from solar panels into a solar battery, the inverter ensures it’s stored efficiently. When your home needs power, the inverter converts stored DC electricity back into AC for use.
It’s important to note that solar inverters are different from charge controllers, which regulate the flow of electricity to solar batteries. While the inverter handles energy conversion, the charge controller manages power distribution, ensuring proper battery performance. Both components are essential for an efficient solar battery storage system.
Types of Solar Inverters
All solar inverters perform the same essential function but vary in efficiency, cost, and energy monitoring capabilities. Below is an overview of the main types of solar inverters.
String Inverters
String inverters, also called central inverters, connect multiple solar panels and convert energy for an entire solar array. They are one of the most cost-effective inverter options but are less efficient than other types. If the central inverter experiences an issue, it can shut down several panels simultaneously, reducing energy production. These inverters are also vulnerable to shading problems. If one panel is shaded, the entire array’s output decreases. However, string inverters are relatively easy and inexpensive to repair.
These inverters typically last five to 10 years and offer limited performance tracking, as energy data is grouped rather than separated by individual panels.
Microinverters
Microinverters attach directly to each panel, maximizing power output and improving efficiency. Unlike string inverters, shading on one panel does not impact the entire system, ensuring better overall performance. However, microinverters are more expensive because each panel requires its own unit, increasing installation costs.
Although they require more maintenance due to their rooftop placement, microinverters have a longer lifespan of at least 25 years. They also provide detailed system monitoring, allowing homeowners to track the performance of each panel separately.
String Inverters and Power Optimizers
Power optimizers improve the performance of string inverters by maximizing DC power output before sending it to the inverter for conversion. This setup helps increase efficiency and allows for panel-level monitoring, but it is more complex and increases overall system costs. Power optimizers help mitigate shading issues and improve energy production despite the added expense.
Hybrid Inverters
Hybrid inverters, also called battery-ready inverters, work with both grid-tied and off-grid systems by incorporating backup battery storage. Typically, grid-tied solar panels stop working during a blackout, but hybrid inverters allow the system to draw power from solar batteries, keeping essential appliances running. These inverters offer greater energy independence and can be a good option for homeowners looking for backup power solutions.
Off-Grid Inverters
Investing in an off-grid solar system requires specialized inverters that operate independently from the power grid, relying entirely on solar panels and battery storage. These systems use Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) charge controllers to prevent battery overcharging and improve efficiency. Off-grid inverters manage the charging and discharging of batteries to keep power flowing to your home.
While off-grid solar systems can be costly and require extensive setup, they are ideal for homes in remote locations. Some homeowners consider DIY solar systems, but they require significant electrical expertise and may not be the best choice for the average homeowner.
Major Differences Among Solar Inverters
Solar inverters differ in several ways, including efficiency, cost, and warranty coverage. We’ve detailed each comparison factor below.
Cost
String inverters are the cheapest and require fewer inverters for your system. Microinverters are more expensive but offer better results. Inverters qualify for solar incentives, meaning homeowners can use the federal solar tax credit to receive up to 30% off their total solar installation cost.
Efficiency
Efficiency plays a key role in inverter performance. Inventory efficiency represents how well the component converts DC to AC power. During this conversion process, some energy is lost. The higher the energy loss, the lower the efficiency rating. Look for solar inverters with high efficiency ratings between 96% and 99%.
Power Output
Solar inverters will match your system or panel size depending on the type. The string inverters’ maximum output capacity should match your system size. If you’re using multiple string inverters, each inverter should match the connected panels’ total wattage. You’ll match your panel size to the inverter’s maximum output when using microinverters. This size pairing is the best way to avoid clipping, which happens when solar panels produce more power than the inverters can handle, reducing your usable electricity.
Warranty
String inverters include five to 10 years of warranty coverage and require more frequent replacement. Quality microinverters typically have a 25-year warranty. Longer coverage means fewer equipment changes and protection for your solar panels’ life span.
We recommend checking inverter warranties for mentions of labor costs, shipping expenses, and full protection details. Some aspects of an inverter, such as Wi-Fi communication equipment, may have a shorter warranty than the other components. If the communication goes out, you must replace the device to resume system monitoring.
Our Top Solar Company Picks
Blue Raven Solar has one of the best reputations for reliability and trustworthiness. It has won awards for its team and CEO, and customer reviews report great customer service and prompt installations. The company also stands out for its in-house financing, which includes 18 months of free solar energy.
How We Scored Blue Raven Solar
Blue Raven received 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our rating system. The company scored the most points for its customer service reputation and warranty coverage. It also earned points for providing all standard solar panel services but lost some due to its limited financing options and lack of roof-leak coverage.
- Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): Blue Raven offers solar panel and battery installation, active monitoring services, and energy audits. However, it doesn’t offer solar roofs, EV chargers, or additional roofing services.
- Warranty and Performance Guarantees (22 out of 25 points): The company offers top-of-the-line warranties, including a 25-year workmanship warranty. The company earned points fo providing a performance guarantee, but its guarantee is shorter than many other providers. However, it doesn’t provide any roof leak coverage.
- Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Blue Raven has high customer review ratings on its BBB profile and other popular review sites. The company uses in-house installers but doesn’t ensure they’re NABCEP-certified, which made it lose some points in this category.
- Financing Options (12 out of 15 points): Blue Raven offers some of the best in-house financing of the companies this list, but it limits this financing to solar loans. You may want to consider a different provider, such as Sunrun, if you’re looking for a lease or PPA.
- Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points): Blue Raven has less experience than other providers, with only 10 years in the industry.
- State Availability (7 out of 10 points): The company limits its service area to 19 states.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
A Blue Raven system has a 25-year product warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a two-year production guarantee.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
State Availability
Available in: Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington
Reputation and Reviews
Blue Raven has won numerous awards from Comparably, a site known for its company culture and reputation reviews. It also ranked No. 20 on Glassdoor’s Best Place to Work in the USA in 2021.
Blue Raven is accredited by the BBB and currently holds an A+ rating. We noted that customers praised the knowledgeable staff and prompt installation but cited poor communication after completing projects. We analyzed several consumer reviews and found that some of these issues stem from the company’s financing department and third-party installers.
Venture Solar specializes in installing systems that are perfectly symmetrical and have no visible wiring or mounting devices. This design provides a simple, stylish look tailored to your roof’s appearance. Additionally, Venture offers comprehensive financing options similar to Sunrun, making solar energy more accessible to homeowners.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides transparent information about its financing options online
- Includes remote monitoring
- Includes a 25-year roof and system warranty with all panel systems
Cons
- Requires your phone number to submit an online quote
- Reviews mention mixed experiences with customer support
- Doesn’t work with power purchase agreement
How We Scored Venture Solar
Venture earned 4.2 out of 5 stars. It gained most of its points due to its flexible financing options paired with an in-house financing department. It also provides plenty of solar services to match most customers’ wants and needs, though it lost points for lacking roofing services, energy audits, and EV charger installations.
- Solar Equipment and Services (16 out of 25 points): Venture offers solar panel and battery installation with active monitoring. The company lost points in this category because it doesn’t provide EV chargers, solar roof installation services, energy audits, and roof repairs.
- Warranty and Performance Guarantees (25 out of 25 points): The company features excellent warranty perks with 25 years on labor, products, and performance. It also includes roof leak protection.
- Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Venture has a great reputation. It features high ratings on its BBB profile with an accreditation and no active issues like lawsuits.
- Financing Options (14 out of 15 points): Venture provides financing options through an in-house financing team and works with every payment method except PPAs.
- Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points): The company holds only eight years of experience in the solar industry.
- State Availability (7 out of 10 points): Venture has a limited service area of only three states.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
Venture offers a 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers workmanship, products, and power output.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
State Availability
Available in: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
Reputation and Reviews
Venture has an A+ rating and accreditation on its BBB profile. According to customer reviews, the company provides high-quality workmanship on its solar panel systems and good customer support. However, some customers have raised concerns about the pricing and quoting process. They found it confusing to determine the total cost of their system and experienced frequent back-and-forth over pricing.
Some customers also noted that Venture focuses on premium products, leading to higher pricing even when unnecessary. We found several Reddit threads discussing Venture where other solar customers and installers mentioned similar experiences.
Solar Energy World (SEW) is one of the most robust and well-regarded solar installation companies. It boasts several impressive features, such as its 30-year manufacturer’s warranty. Its service area is limited, and it doesn’t offer energy auditing services. We like that SEW discloses what solar panels it primarily works with and that the panels are from trusted, quality brands such as Qcells and Silfab.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Features an extensive solar product catalog with trusted brands
- Includes free active monitoring
- Hires NABCEP-certified installers and designers
Cons
- Reviews mention communication issues with staff
- Warranty coverage varies by solar panel brand
- Doesn’t offer a power production guarantee
How We Scored Solar Energy World
SEW scored 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company received many points because of its warranty, which is longer than most other solar companies’ warranties. SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all its solar panels and inverters, whereas many providers only offer 25-year warranties.
- Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): The company is an ideal option for many basic solar products and services, such as solar panels and battery installation. It lost points because it doesn’t install EV chargers or perform energy audits.
- Warranty and Performance Guarantees (19 out of 25 points): SEW’s manufacturer and labor warranties are standout features, but the company doesn’t include any production guarantees with its work.
- Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (15 out of 15 points): The company’s reputation is one of the best, with high BBB and Google Reviews ratings. We also found no active alerts or lawsuits.
- Financing Options (13.5 out of 15 points): SEW offers all possible solar payment options but doesn’t provide an in-house financing department.
- Industry Experience (8 out of 10 points): The company has been in business since 2009, so it received most of the points in this category.
- State Availability (6 out of 10 points): SEW limits its service area to eight East Coast states.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all purchased solar panels and inverters. However, coverage varies by brand, and the company doesn’t guarantee them with every panel option.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA
State Availability
Available in: Washington, D.C, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia
Reputation and Reviews
The company landed on Solar Power World’s 2023 Top Solar Contractors List in the No. 10 spot.
The BBB accredits SEW, and the company holds an A+ rating. Former customers praise the company for its professionalism, assistance with applying for financial incentives, and smooth installation process. However, some reported discrepancies in finances and scheduling.
We like Sunrun for its four financing options, including its unique leasing options if you don’t want to own your system. This stands out to us because the other companies on this list don’t offer as many options.
Prepaid and leased systems also include a 25-year warranty with system service and maintenance, ongoing monitoring, and theft insurance. The company even offers financing plans for quality monocrystalline solar panels and products from trusted brands such as LG.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides system monitoring that signals issues with your system
- Offers diverse financing options to suit various budgets
- Provides EV and solar battery solutions
Cons
- Limited online information on solar incentive disqualification with leases
- Requires added costs for the same coverage plans as leased and prepaid customers
- Varies solar battery availability by state
How We Scored Sunrun
Sunrun earned 4.4 out of 5 stars based on our methodology. The company gained many points for its positive reputation, comprehensive leasing options, and well-rounded warranty coverage. It lost some points for is limited service selection.
- Solar Equipment and Services (15 out of 25 points): Sunrun provides solar panel and battery installation but uses third-party installers. Though this is becoming an industry standard, in-house installers typically yield better communication and quality. The company also doesn’t provide roofing services or energy audits but does offer quality active monitoring assistance.
- Warranty and Performance Guarantees (19 out of 25 points): Sunrun offers quality warranties, such as its 25-year manufacturer and labor warranty, but doesn’t include a performance guarantee.
- Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Sunrun has one of the higher customer BBB ratings we’ve encountered, and the company maintains an overall positive customer reputation online.
- Financing Options (13.5 out of 15 points): The company doesn’t offer any in-house financing but provides more warranty coverage for customers interested in solar leasing than other providers, such as Palmetto.
- Industry Experience (9 out of 10 points): Sunrun holds 17 years of experience in the solar industry, making it a veteran compared to a newer company such as Blue Raven Solar.
- State Availability (8 out of 10 points): The company only serves 18 states.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
Sunrun backs its systems with a 10-year comprehensive warranty which includes product, roof penetration, and workmanship coverage.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA
State Availability
Available in: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Reputation and Reviews
The company earned DroneDeploy’s 2022 Guardian of Safety Award for incorporating drone technology in its site assessments. In 2021 and 2022, Sunrun was recognized by Comparably with 14 awards. Its accolades include Best CEOs for Diversity 2022, Best Company Culture 2021, and Best Company for Women two years in a row.
Sunrun currently holds an A+ rating from the BBB and is accredited. Former customers praised the comprehensive coverage for leased systems but complained about delayed installations, poor customer service, and poor communication with project managers. Additionally, some customers note being confused by Sunrun’s leasing and PPA options, though they also mention Sunrun is willing to discuss and clarify these plans.
Best Solar Inverter Brands
We’ve highlighted some of the best solar inverter brands for residential installations and what features make them stand out.
| Brand | Inverter Type | Power Output | Peak Efficiency Rating | Warranty | Top Inverter Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enphase | Microinverter | 0.24–0.366 kW | 97.5% | 25 years | Enphase IQ8 |
| SolarEdge | Optimized string inverter | 3–11.4 kW | 99.0% | 12 years | SolarEdge HD Wave |
| SMA | String inverter | 3–11.4 kW | 98.5% | 10 years | SMA Sunny Boy |
Enphase: Best Warranty
Founded in California in 2006, Enphase has become one of the most popular inverter brands thanks to its advanced microinverter technology. The company offers a 25-year warranty with its inverters, one of the longest available. Enphase microinverters offer output power between 0.24–0.366 kilowatts (kW) and efficiency ratings of up to 97.5%. The company also carries the popular IQ Battery specifically for use with its microinverters.
Most popular inverter model: The Enphase IQ8 series
SolarEdge: Best Efficiency
Headquartered in Israel, SolarEdge offers high-performance string inverters with some of the best efficiency ratings available. These inverters maximize panel performance but are more affordable than microinverters. They reach up to 99% efficiency, some of the solar industry’s highest ratings. SolarEdge string inverters offer 3–11.4 kW power output and come with a 12-year warranty, but you can extend it up to 25 years for an additional cost.
Most popular inverter model: The SolarEdge HD Wave inverter series
SMA: Best Value
Founded in 1981, SMA Solar Technology has expanded into a leading worldwide inverter manufacturer. The company offers affordable string inverters for residential installations. Although its inverters don’t include power optimizers, they do offer reliable performance with outputs ranging between 3–11.4 kW and maximum efficiency ratings of 98.5%. The warranty coverage is 10 years but is extendable for additional fees.
Most popular inverter model: SMA Sunny Boy series
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Raven SolarGet Quote | | A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | |
Venture SolarRead Our Review |  | A+ | 25 years | |
Solar Energy WorldRead Our Review |  | A+ | 25–30 years | |
SunrunGet Quote | | A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship |
How To Choose the Best Solar Inverter
Your solar panel provider may offer several options for solar inverters. When choosing your preferred inverter, we recommend considering the following factors.
- Brand reputation: Look for reputable solar inverter manufacturers with high-quality products and long-term warranty coverage. Check online reviews for solar inverter brands and look for mentions of poor component quality, warranty replacement issues, or manufacturing defects.
- Cost: The more inverters you install, the higher the overall cost. You’ll also pay more for microinverters than string inverters.
- Customer support: Get full details about the warranty replacement process and customer support options. Depending on the solar provider’s policies, you may place a warranty claim through them or directly with the inverter manufacturer. Get clear details on their policies and contact information for the manufacturer, if needed.
- Monitoring options: Your solar inverters should include options for monitoring and a dedicated app to track performance. Ensure your chosen inverter has Wi-Fi capabilities and a communication device to transmit panel data.
- System compatibility: Choose solar inverters compatible with your overall panel design. Your solar installer will offer a selection of inverters that work with your system. Some providers may have their own in-house inverters for their systems.
Our Conclusion
Solar inverters are essential to both panel function and system performance. Your inverter choice impacts your energy production, system efficiency, and monitoring capabilities. Pairing quality inverters with the best solar panels will provide maximum energy efficiency and long-term savings.
We recommend getting quotes from at least three solar companies to compare their system components and inverter options.
FAQ About Solar Inverters
What type of inverter is the most efficient?
Microinverters are the most efficient option since they handle power conversion on the individual panel level. They offer higher efficiency ratings and waste very little energy during conversion.
What is the most common residential solar panel inverter type?
String inverters are the most common inverters used in residential solar systems. These inverters connect to multiple solar panels and convert your home’s DC energy to AC electricity. String converters work best in homes with minimal shading and simple solar panel designs.
Can I replace a solar inverter myself?
Yes, you can replace a solar inverter if you have intermediate electrical and solar technology knowledge and expertise. Otherwise, you might damage your solar system, impact panel performance, or cause personal injury. We recommend contacting a professional solar installer to assist with inverter replacement.
What is the life span of a solar inverter?
String inverters can last five to ten years before needing replacement, while microinverters offer life spans of 25 years or longer.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.