Grid-Tie Inverters

A grid-tie inverter turns the DC power from your solar panels into AC power that matches the utility grid. Your home uses the solar power first, and extra power can go to the utility under your utility's interconnection rules. This collection has two kinds: Enphase IQ8 microinverters, which mount one under each panel, and hybrid inverters from Sol-Ark, Solis and GoodWe, which connect to the grid and also charge a battery bank. Choose by your electrical service (240V split-phase home or 208V three-phase building), the wattage of your panels, and whether you want battery backup now or later.

Read more about Grid-Tie Inverters

Need a string inverter we don't list, or a complete system list? Request a written quote. No utility service at your site? See off-grid inverters instead.

11 products

Microinverter, hybrid or string inverter?

  • Microinverters: one small inverter under each panel, so each panel is converted to AC on the roof. Shade or a problem on one panel does not pull down the rest of the array, and you can see production panel by panel. Microinverters have no battery input. For residential IQ8+, IQ8M, IQ8AC and IQ8HC systems, Enphase lists outage power when those microinverters are installed with an IQ System Controller 2 or 3; those backup systems normally include Enphase IQ Batteries. Enphase also supports Sunlight Backup without a battery on qualifying residential IQ8 systems, which needs the specified IQ System Controller and at least one IQ Load Controller. The IQ8P-3P is a separate commercial three-phase model for 208V buildings; plan its system with Enphase's commercial documentation rather than the residential controller and battery path. Browse all microinverters.
  • Hybrid inverters: one central inverter that takes solar strings, connects to the grid and charges a battery bank. With a supported, charged battery bank, a hybrid system can keep backed-up circuits running during an outage. Some models include the backup transfer hardware; others need an external backup or transfer device, so check the manufacturer's spec sheet. Compare models on hybrid inverters.
  • String inverters: one central inverter with no battery. Panels are wired in series strings that feed the inverter's MPPT inputs. Our guide to string inverters, DC optimizers and microinverters explains the trade-offs.

Inverters connected to the grid must stop sending power to it when the grid goes out. That protects line workers, and it means most grid-tie systems without batteries or backup equipment give you no power during an outage, even on a sunny day. See solar panels and backup power for the details.

How to choose a grid-tie inverter

  1. Check your electrical service. Most U.S. homes have 240V split-phase service. Enphase's datasheets limit the IQ8+ and IQ8M to 240V split-phase installations, list the IQ8AC and IQ8HC for 240V split-phase or 208V single-phase, and design the IQ8P-3P for 208V three-phase buildings; other voltages need a transformer for the IQ8P-3P.
  2. Match the inverter to your panels. For microinverters, start with Enphase's commonly used module pairings in the table below. The panel must also stay within the microinverter's maximum DC input voltage and maximum module short-circuit current (Isc). Enphase publishes an online module compatibility calculator for this check.
  3. Size the array and inverter. Estimate how many panels you need from your daily watt-hours or monthly kWh use with our grid-tied solar sizing calculator. For a hybrid or string inverter, keep every string inside the MPPT voltage range and below the maximum input voltage at your coldest temperature (see each product page).
  4. Check your main panel. Larger systems often run into the NEC 120% busbar rule, which limits how big a solar breaker your main panel can take. Read grid-tied solar and the 120% rule before you plan the interconnection.
  5. Decide on backup. If saving on your bill is the goal, a grid-tie system without batteries is the simpler setup. If you want power during outages, plan for a hybrid inverter with a supported battery bank, or for a residential Enphase IQ8+, IQ8M, IQ8AC or IQ8HC system an IQ System Controller 2 or 3 with Enphase batteries. The IQ8P-3P is a commercial three-phase model; use Enphase's commercial documentation for its system design. Backup can often be added later through AC coupling, depending on your existing inverter.
  6. Plan for monitoring and rapid shutdown. Enphase's datasheets say grid-profile changes are made through an IQ Gateway during installation, and the IQ8P-3P datasheet says monitoring requires an IQ Gateway Commercial 2. Rooftop arrays generally must meet NEC 690.12 rapid shutdown rules.

Compare Enphase IQ8 microinverters

Model Grid connection Commonly used panel pairings Continuous output Max DC input voltage / MPPT range Max units per 20A branch circuit
IQ8+ (IQ8PLUS-72-M-US) 240V split-phase 235–440W 295 VA 60V / 27–45V 13
IQ8M (IQ8M-72-M-US) 240V split-phase 260–460W 325 VA 60V / 30–45V 11
IQ8AC (IQ8AC-72-M-US) 240V split-phase or 208V single-phase 295–500W 349 VA at 240V; 345 VA at 208V 60V / 28–45V 11 at 240V; 9 at 208V
IQ8HC (IQ8HC-72-M-US) 240V split-phase or 208V single-phase 320–540W 384 VA at 240V; 360 VA at 208V 60V / 29.5–45V 10 at 240V; 9 at 208V
IQ8P-3P (IQ8P-3P-72-E-US) 208V three-phase 380–640W 475 VA 63V / 35.5–53V 12 per three-phase branch

Enphase notes that branch-circuit limits may vary with local requirements. Each of these microinverters is UL Listed as PV rapid shutdown equipment when installed according to Enphase's instructions.

Compare grid-tie hybrid inverters

Model Battery voltage Grid-side AC output Solar input Backup output
Sol-Ark 12K-2P 48V (43–63V) 9,000W continuous (loads and grid sell) 2 MPPTs, 12,000W usable, 500V max 4 ms transfer time
Sol-Ark Limitless 15K-2P 48V (43–59V) 15,000W nominal at 240V 3 MPPTs, 19,500W usable, 500V max 12,000W continuous at 240V; 5 ms transfer time
Sol-Ark 18K 48V (43–59V) 18,000W nominal at 240V 3 MPPTs, 28,800W usable, 500V max 18,000W continuous at 240V; 5 ms transfer time
Solis S6 16kW 48V class (40–60V) 16kW rated 3 MPPTs, 25.6kW recommended max, 550V max 16kW rated; under 10 ms switchover
GoodWe ES-US 11.4kW High voltage (80–495V) 11,400W nominal 4 MPPTs, 17,100W max input, 600V max 11,400VA through GoodWe's Automatic Backup Device

Specs are from each manufacturer's current datasheet. Check each product page for full details and current information.

What else you need

  • Solar panels: solar panels that fit the microinverter's pairing range and DC limits, or strings that fit a hybrid's MPPT window.
  • Monitoring and communication: an Enphase IQ Gateway or IQ Gateway Commercial 2 for Enphase systems. Browse gateways and communication.
  • Cable, wiring and protection: Enphase IQ Cable for residential IQ8+, IQ8M, IQ8AC and IQ8HC branch circuits, or Enphase QD Cable for IQ8P-3P commercial branch circuits; PV wire and connectors for string and hybrid arrays; plus AC disconnects and breakers. See cable and wiring, disconnects and breakers and our inverter cable, breaker and fuse sizing table.
  • Rapid shutdown for hybrid arrays: each of these hybrids lists built-in rapid shutdown control or a transmitter option; pair it with module-level devices the inverter maker lists as compatible for that model. Browse rapid shutdown devices.
  • Batteries for a hybrid: browse solar batteries and confirm the battery is on the inverter maker's compatibility list for your exact model.
  • Mounting: solar panel mounts for roof or ground arrays.

New to grid-tied solar? Read our guide to grid-tied system components, or compare every type on solar inverters.

Grid-tie inverter FAQ

Will a grid-tie inverter work during a power outage?

A standard grid-tie inverter without batteries or backup equipment shuts down when the grid goes out, even in full sun. This anti-islanding shutdown protects utility line workers. For outage power, a hybrid inverter needs a supported, charged battery bank. On residential Enphase IQ8+, IQ8M, IQ8AC and IQ8HC systems, Enphase lists an IQ System Controller 2 or 3, normally with Enphase IQ Batteries; Enphase's Sunlight Backup without a battery needs that controller plus at least one IQ Load Controller. The IQ8P-3P is a commercial three-phase model planned with Enphase's commercial documentation, not the residential controller and battery path.

Do I need batteries with a grid-tie system?

No, not if lowering your electric bill is the goal. Extra solar goes to the utility under your utility's interconnection rules. Add batteries if you want backup power or want to store solar for later in the day.

Should I choose microinverters or a hybrid inverter?

Microinverters suit roofs with shade or panels facing several directions, and they let you see production panel by panel. A hybrid inverter suits a string array where you want battery backup from day one. Both connect to the grid, which is why both are in this collection.

Which Enphase IQ8 microinverter fits my solar panels?

Start with the panel wattage. Enphase lists commonly used pairings of 235–440W for the IQ8+, 260–460W for the IQ8M, 295–500W for the IQ8AC and 320–540W for the IQ8HC. Then confirm that the panel's voltage and short-circuit current are within the microinverter's limits on its product page.

Can I add battery backup to my grid-tie system later?

Often, yes. Residential Enphase IQ8+, IQ8M, IQ8AC and IQ8HC systems can add Enphase batteries and backup equipment with an IQ System Controller 2 or 3, and string-inverter systems can add a hybrid inverter that accepts AC-coupled solar. Whether your existing inverter qualifies depends on its maker and model. The IQ8P-3P is a commercial three-phase model; confirm storage options in Enphase's current commercial documentation. Our AC coupling guide walks through the residential and hybrid options.

Can altE help me choose a grid-tie inverter?

Yes. Send us your panel choice or target system size, roof layout, electrical service and whether you want backup. Start with a written quote request and include those details.