Solar Inverters in South Africa: Free Quotes from Local Suppliers
Free quotes from solar suppliers and installers across South Africa. One request, no obligation.
A solar inverter turns the direct current from your panels or batteries into the alternating current your lights, fridge and geyser run on. Choosing the wrong size or type is a common and expensive mistake. SolarPanel.co.za is a free quote service. You fill in one form and we send your request to independent inverter suppliers and installers in your area, who quote you directly. We do not sell, supply or install anything ourselves, and there is no fee or obligation to accept a quote.
What a solar inverter does and the main types
The inverter is the brain of a solar system. It converts power, manages the connection to the grid or the batteries, and shuts down safely when it should. The types you will meet in South Africa are:
- Grid-tied inverters: feed solar power into your wiring alongside the municipal or Eskom supply. Most switch off during an outage.
- Off-grid inverters: run the property from batteries and panels with no grid connection.
- Hybrid inverters: combine both and add battery backup. See our page on hybrid inverters.
- Micro-inverters and string inverters: one small unit per panel, or one larger unit for a row of panels.
Sizing a solar inverter: kVA, kW and phases
Inverters are rated in kVA or kW. The rating must cover the loads you want to run at the same time, including the surge when a pump, fridge compressor or geyser element switches on. The panel array is sized separately in kWp, and the two do not have to match exactly.
Also consider the voltage and phases. A single-phase inverter suits most homes. A three-phase supply, common on farms and in businesses, may need a three-phase inverter or three single-phase units. Ask about the battery voltage the inverter expects, and whether you can add panels or batteries later. Our solar calculator gives you a starting point before you ask for quotes.
Compliance, registration and warranties
A grid-tied or hybrid inverter must meet NRS 097-2-1 and appear on the approved list of your municipality or Eskom. Most municipalities also require small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) registration before you connect. The installation should follow SANS 10142-1-2 and come with an Electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC) from a registered electrician. Electrical products also need an NRCS letter of authority, so ask your supplier.
Tell your insurer about the system. Check what the warranty covers, how long it runs, who handles claims in South Africa, and whether a replacement unit is supplied while yours is repaired. Our page on solar compliance and registration explains the paperwork.
Solar inverter price: what affects it
Solar inverter prices vary widely, so we never quote one here. Suppliers price a unit on a few clear factors:
- Power rating in kVA and whether it is single or three phase.
- Type: grid-tied, off-grid or hybrid, and whether it has a built-in charge controller.
- Battery compatibility and any communication cables or modules.
- Wi-Fi or app monitoring, and surge or backup outputs.
- Warranty length, local support and stock availability.
- Delivery, installation, isolators, surge protection and the CoC.
A cheaper unit that cannot be expanded may cost more later, so compare like with like.
What to include in your request
- Say whether you want grid-tied, off-grid or hybrid
- List the appliances to run at the same time
- State single-phase or three-phase supply
- Mention existing panels or batteries
- Ask about warranty and SSEG paperwork
Solar Inverters at different properties
- Family homes: a single-phase inverter on the garage wall running lights, fridge and geyser from panels
- Estate homes: a larger inverter sized for a double-storey home, kept tidy and approved by the estate
- Townhouses and flats: a compact wall-mounted inverter powering essentials, with body corporate approval for the install
- Farms, smallholdings and lodges: an off-grid or three-phase inverter running pumps, cold rooms and the farmhouse away from the grid
- Shops, offices and schools: a grid-tied inverter covering daytime office or shop load, with backup for tills and IT
- Factories and warehouses: multiple large three-phase inverters on a roof or carport array feeding factory loads
Frequently asked questions
Does SolarPanel.co.za sell or install solar inverters?
What size solar inverter do I need?
Can I use an off-grid inverter if I am connected to Eskom?
Why do solar inverter prices differ so much between quotes?
Solar Inverters by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Lephalale
- Kimberley
- Kathu
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
More solar products and services
Solar panels & mounting
Solar power systems
Inverters & batteries
Solar geysers & pool heating
Solar pumps & lights
Get free solar quotes
Tell us what you need and where. An installer or supplier who works in your area quotes you directly. Free, no obligation.
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