Which PV hybrid inverter gives the most watts per dollar?
Among these PV hybrid inverters, the FlexBOSS21 Hybrid Inverter gives the most power for the money at 3.61 W/$, which ranks #1 of 6. It costs $4,435.59 at A1 SolarStore for 16000 W of continuous output. Next come the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter at 2.63 W/$ and the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter at 2.53 W/$.
The Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter sits at 2.46 W/$, the MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger at 2.02 W/$, and the Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter at 1.92 W/$. Watts per dollar only tells part of the story, though. Solar input, battery limits, backup speed and size can matter just as much.
| Product | Best current price | Watts per dollar | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| EG4 Electronics FlexBOSS21 Hybrid Inverter | $4,435.59 at A1 SolarStore | 3.61 W/$ | #1 of 6 |
| EG4 Electronics 12kPV Hybrid Inverter | $3,036.50 at A1 SolarStore | 2.63 W/$ | #2 of 6 |
| EG4 Electronics 18kPV Hybrid Inverter | $4,747.52 at A1 SolarStore | 2.53 W/$ | #3 of 6 |
| Sol-Ark Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter | $6,099.15 at A1 SolarStore | 2.46 W/$ | #4 of 6 |
| MidNite Power MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger | $5,650.23 at A1 SolarStore | 2.02 W/$ | #5 of 6 |
| Sol-Ark Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter | $4,699.50 at A1 SolarStore | 1.92 W/$ | #6 of 6 |
What makes the FlexBOSS21 Hybrid Inverter the value pick?
The FlexBOSS21 Hybrid Inverter ranks #1 of 6 on value, with 3.61 W/$ at a price of $4,435.59. Its 16000 W is the most here, against 15000 W for the Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter, 12000 W for the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter, 11400 W for the MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger, 9000 W for the Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter and 8000 W for the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter. On battery power alone, EG4 Electronics rates it at 12000 W.
Its surge reaches 24000 W for 0.5 s, and EG4 Electronics says it can start an air conditioner of up to 5 tons. Start-up headroom matters for loads with a big compressor. EG4 Electronics recommends up to 21000 W of PV for it, and it has 3 MPPT inputs.
EG4 Electronics lists up to 16 units in parallel and a NEMA 4X case. Of the units that list a CEC efficiency, it is highest at 97 %, ahead of 96.9 % for the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter, 96.5 % for both Sol-Ark units and 96.4 % for the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter. It weighs 121 lb, in the heavy (over 50 lb) class.
Strengths
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
Gaps
- Weight class: heavy (over 50 lb)
Is the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter the cheapest of these?
Yes, the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter has the lowest price in this roundup at $3,036.50, while the others run $4,435.59, $4,699.50, $4,747.52, $5,650.23 and $6,099.15 at A1 SolarStore. That buys 8000 W of continuous power and a value score of 2.63 W/$, ranked #2 of 6. It accepts up to 12000 W of solar input, and EG4 Electronics recommends an array of no more than 15000 W.
Check the array your roof can hold against the input limit. For batteries, EG4 Electronics lists lead-acid or lithium. Its surge is 16000 W, and EG4 Electronics lists up to 10 units in parallel.
It weighs 110 lb.
Strengths
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
Gaps
- Weight class: heavy (over 50 lb)
How much solar input does the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter take?
The 18kPV Hybrid Inverter takes up to 18000 W of solar input, and EG4 Electronics recommends arrays as large as 21000 W. Its surge rating is 15500 W for 300 s. Surge duration matters for loads that draw heavy current for more than a moment.
Continuous output is 12000 W, and the battery side handles up to 250 A of charge current. It is rated for lead-acid or lithium batteries. At $4,747.52 it scores 2.53 W/$ and ranks #3 of 6.
It stands 34.3 in tall and weighs 121 lb.
Strengths
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
Gaps
- Weight class: heavy (over 50 lb)
How fast does the Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter switch to backup?
The Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter has a UPS switchover of up to 5 ms, which puts it in the 20 ms or less group. Switchover time is the figure to compare if you want the shortest gap when the grid drops. Sol-Ark rates it for up to 19500 W of solar input and recommends an array of up to 23400 W.
Continuous output is 15000 W, or 12000 W from the battery alone. It takes up to 275 A of charge current, and Sol-Ark lists lithium for battery type. It weighs 135 lb, so it sits in the heavy (over 50 lb) class.
It costs $6,099.15, which works out to 2.46 W/$ and #4 of 6.
Strengths
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
Gaps
- Weight class: heavy (over 50 lb)
What are the solar and size specs of the MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger?
The MN15-12KW-AIO Hybrid Inverter/Charger from MidNite Power tracks solar on an MPPT window that runs from as low as 70 V up to 550 V. Match your panel string voltage to the MPPT window. It measures 9.52 in deep, 16.54 in wide and 37.4 in high.
MidNite Power lists a weight of 101.85 lb and a NEMA 3R rating. Output is 11400 W continuous, or 10000 W on battery only. Its listed certifications are UL1741 3rd 2021, IEEE1547a 2018/2020, UL1741SB.
At $5,650.23 it lands at 2.02 W/$ and #5 of 6 on value.
Strengths
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
Gaps
- Weight class: heavy (over 50 lb)
Why pick the lightest unit, the Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter?
The Limitless 12K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter weighs 78 lb, while the others here range from 101.85 lb to 135 lb. Sol-Ark also rates its UPS switchover at up to 4 ms, against up to 5 ms for the Limitless 15K-2P-N Hybrid Inverter and up to 20 ms for the EG4 Electronics and MidNite Power units. The case is 29.5 in tall, 17.7 in wide and 10 in deep.
A smaller, lighter box may fit where a bigger one will not. It delivers 9000 W of continuous power and takes up to 12000 W of solar input. For battery type, Sol-Ark lists lithium.
Value is its weak spot: $4,699.50 buys 1.92 W/$, ranked #6 of 6.
Strengths
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
Gaps
- Weight class: heavy (over 50 lb)
How do you choose between these hybrid solar inverters?
Start with the loads you need to run at the same time, then match continuous output to them. Next, size the solar side: check the array your roof can hold against each model's input limit. If backup speed matters most, the Sol-Ark units list a switchover of up to 4 ms and 5 ms, while the rest list up to 20 ms.
Check your battery chemistry too. EG4 Electronics lists lead-acid or lithium for both the 12kPV Hybrid Inverter and the 18kPV Hybrid Inverter. MidNite Power lists lithium or lead-acid for its unit as well.
For the most watts per dollar, the FlexBOSS21 Hybrid Inverter is the pick at 3.61 W/$. Whatever you choose, plan for a heavy unit and check local rules before you connect it.