In April 2026, SMA, which was once a leading inverter brand in Australia, left the residential solar market.
If you own a Fronius inverter, you might be wondering if it could be next. Many people chose Fronius for its reliability, but recent news might be worrying.
At PSC Energy, we used to install both SMA and Fronius, but we no longer sell either brand. As such, we’re here to provide an unbiased look at both brands, focusing on the future for Fronius.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- What Happened to SMA, in Short
- Fronius’s Legacy in Australia
- Where Fronius Started Falling Behind
- The Gen24 and the Reserva: An Honest Look
- How Fronius Compares to the Market Today
- What This Means If You Own a Fronius System
- FAQ: Fronius Inverters in Australia
By the end of this article, we’ll give you a straightforward look at where Fronius stands now and what this means if you own a Fronius system.
What Happened to SMA, in Short
SMA is a German company that started in 1981. For decades, it set the standard for solar inverters in Australia. Many thousands of SMA units still sit on Australian rooftops today.
In early April 2026, SMA withdrew from the Australian residential and commercial solar market. The company still runs its large-scale utility business here and operates in over 20 countries. But for homeowners and small businesses, SMA has left.
Three forces pushed SMA out:
- First, SMA never built its own battery. As Australians moved toward solar-plus-storage, SMA had nothing to sell them.
- Second, SMA reported losses of over €65 million in 2025 and cut up to 1,100 jobs worldwide that year, with a further 350 cuts planned for 2026.
- Third, Chinese brands undercut SMA on price while offering battery options SMA could not match.
SMA leaving the market shows that the Australian solar industry now moves quickly and can be tough on brands that don’t keep up, especially when it comes to battery integration. This situation brings up important questions about Fronius’s current approach.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about SMA exiting the Australian market, you might want to check out the following article titled, SMA Solar Has Left the Australian Market: What Every SMA Solar Inverter Owner Needs to Know.
Fronius’s Legacy in Australia
Fronius is an Austrian company founded in 1945. It started with battery charging, then expanded into welding technology, and entered the solar market in 1992.
Fronius launched its first grid-connected solar inverter, the Fronius Sunrise, in 1995. Today, all Fronius inverters are made at its factory in Upper Austria. Since 2023, this factory has run entirely on renewable energy, which makes Fronius stand out in a market where most competitors manufacture in China.
Fronius came to Australia in the early 2000s and quickly built a strong reputation. Four main things helped Fronius stand out:
- Durable hardware. Fronius inverters handle Australian heat, humidity, and dust. Efficiency ratings reach up to 98%.
- A long track record. Fronius has been in the Australian market for over 20 years.
- A real rivalry with SMA. Fronius and SMA fought for the top spot for years. Fronius eventually pulled ahead with the popular SnapINverter range, which included the Primo and Symo.
- Strong local support. Fronius runs a technical support hub in Victoria and a wide network of accredited installers across the country.
Fronius earned its reputation for honesty and reliability. The big question now is whether those qualities are enough for Fronius to keep succeeding as the Australian solar market changes quickly.
If you’d like to learn more about solar panel inverters, you might want to check out the following article titled, What is a Solar Power Inverter?
Where Fronius Started Falling Behind
A few years back, a solar system usually just meant panels and an inverter. Now, it often includes panels, an inverter, a battery, and sometimes an EV charger. This change took Fronius by surprise.
Three main problems started to appear:
- No strong battery for years. Fronius launched a home battery called the Solar Battery in 2016, but it never took off and was discontinued. That left Fronius with no storage product at a time when battery sales were taking off.
- The SnapINverter range was not battery-friendly. The Primo and Symo inverters that made Fronius famous do not integrate cleanly with batteries. Many Fronius customers who now want to add storage find themselves stuck or forced to pay for costly upgrades.
- Competitors built complete systems. Tesla, Sigenergy, and Goodwe made sure their inverters and batteries worked together from the start. Meanwhile, Fronius kept improving its inverter, but the rest of the market moved ahead.
To Fronius’s credit, the company responded. Two new products aim to close the gap: the Gen24 hybrid inverter and the Reserva battery. Both deserve a close look.
If you’re interested in solar batteries, you might want to check out the following article titled, Are Solar Batteries Worth It in NSW? PSC’s Ultimate Guide for 2026.
The Gen24 and the Reserva: An Honest Look
The Gen24 Plus is the Fronius hybrid inverter built for the battery era. It has genuine strengths.
- The battery is ready out of the box. The Gen24 accepts a battery and offers basic backup through a protected socket. It also supports full home backup when paired with a connected battery.
- Austrian build quality. Fronius makes the Gen24 at Sattledt, not in China.
- Top installer ranking. Fronius has ranked as Australia’s number one solar inverter in installer surveys for five years running.
But the Gen24 does have some real limitations.
- Full backup needs extra parts. To run your whole home off the Gen24 during a blackout, you need extra switchgear. The basic PV Point backup tops out at 3 kW, which covers a fridge, lights, and a modem, but not much else.
- Input current is tight. The second input handles only 12.5 amps. On larger roofs, this can force installers to use two smaller units instead of one bigger one.
- Backup warranty limits. Fronius voids the Gen24 warranty if you run the inverter in backup mode more than 20% of the time. For a household that wants real energy independence, that matters.
- Switchover delay. When the grid goes down, the Gen24 takes time to switch to backup. Fronius’s spec allows up to 90 seconds for Full Backup. Real-world testing often shows around 40 seconds, and recent firmware updates have brought this down to 20-30 seconds.
The Fronius Reserva is the battery Fronius launched in Australia in October 2025. It is a second attempt at storage after the 2016 product failed.
- Modular and scalable. Each tower holds 6.3 to 15.8 kWh in 3.15 kWh modules. You can link up to 4 towers for a total of 63 kWh.
- DC coupled for efficiency. The Reserva connects directly to your panels via the Gen24, reducing energy loss during charging.
- Built tough. The Reserva has an IP65 rating and C4 corrosion resistance, which makes it suitable for coastal sites.
However, the Reserva also has some clear limitations.
- Gen24 only. The Reserva works only with the Fronius Gen24. Anyone with an older Fronius SnapINverter cannot use it.
- Not instant backup. The Reserva takes 10-30 seconds to kick in when the grid drops, depending on firmware and setup. Homes with medical equipment or sensitive electronics may find that gap a problem.
- Lower warranty in Australia. Fronius guarantees 70% retained capacity after 10 years for Australian buyers. European buyers get 80%. Fronius has not explained the gap.
- Premium price, new product. The Reserva costs around $1,000 per kilowatt hour installed, which puts it in premium territory. It also has no real track record in Australian conditions yet, because it only arrived here in late 2025.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the price of solar batteries, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Much Are Solar Batteries? A Full Breakdown of Prices, Rebates, and Value in 2026.
How Fronius Compares to the Market Today
Fronius inverters are still competitive. The Gen24 is a well-made hybrid model, and installers continue to rate it highly. The inverter itself is not the weak point.
The real weakness is everything around the inverter. The Reserva battery is new and hasn’t been tested much in Australian conditions. Other batteries, like the Tesla Powerwall 3 and Sigenergy SigenStor, offer instant backup, have been used locally for longer, come with better warranties, and sometimes cost less.
Having a closed system has pros and cons. Fronius made the Gen24 and Reserva to work best as a pair, which means they are tested together as a system. But this also means you are tied to one brand. If you don’t want the Reserva, your choices with a Gen24 are limited.
Fronius is still committed to Australia and continues to invest in its factory and support network. The main worry isn’t about product quality, but whether Fronius can adapt quickly enough in a market now led by batteries and strong competitors.
If you’re interested in looking at some solar battery choices, you might want to check out the following article titled, Which Solar Battery Should I Buy?
What This Means If You Own a Fronius System
If you already have a Fronius system, focus on understanding what recent developments mean for you and how best to maintain or enhance your setup moving forward.
Your inverter does not get worse because of anything in this article. The hardware is the same. Fronius still supports its installers, and the company has not left Australia.
Here is what to think about:
- If your Fronius inverter is working well, there’s no need to worry. Keep an eye on your system and fix any problems quickly while local support is still available.
- If you’re thinking about adding a battery, take time to research your options. Gen24 owners can choose the Reserva, but it’s smart to compare it with Tesla, Sigenergy, and other brands before deciding. The Reserva works well for some homes, but not all.
- If you have an older SnapINverter, your battery options are limited. The Reserva does not work with older Fronius models. Adding storage may mean switching inverter brands or replacing your system.
- Think about the long term. Every inverter will eventually need replacing. If yours is getting old, it’s a good idea to start planning for what comes next and which brands will support you in the years ahead.
At PSC Energy, we’ve been in this industry long enough to know that the best brands are the ones that take care of their customers. We’re happy to give you honest, no-pressure advice about your system and your options. It’s what we do.
If you’d like to learn a bit more about what solar batteries are on the market, you might want to check out the following article titled, 6 Best Solar Batteries on the Market.
FAQ: Fronius Inverters in Australia
Is Fronius leaving Australia as SMA did?
No. Fronius still runs a local office in Victoria, an active installer network, and a local support hub. The company has not announced any plans to exit. But Fronius faces real pressure from newer competitors with stronger battery offerings, so it’s worth watching.
Is my Fronius inverter still supported?
Yes. Fronius continues to support its full inverter range in Australia, including older SnapINverter models like the Primo and Symo. Warranty claims, technical support, and parts stay available through Fronius and accredited installers.
Can I add a battery to my older Fronius inverter?
Not easily. The older SnapINverter range, which includes the Primo and Symo, was not designed for battery integration. If you want storage on one of these units, your options are limited. You may need to switch inverter brands or upgrade to a Fronius Gen24.
Is the Fronius Gen24 worth buying in 2026?
The Gen24 is a well-built hybrid inverter, and installers rate it highly. It supports battery storage, provides partial backup via a protected socket, and features Austrian build quality. But the warranty limits backup use to 20%, and a full-home backup requires additional components. It is a strong choice for the right home, not a universal winner.
Is the Fronius Reserva a good battery?
The Reserva is a modular, DC-coupled battery built for the Gen24. It scales up to 63 kWh, handles harsh conditions, and has positive early reviews. But it only works with the Gen24, takes 10 to 30 seconds to kick in during outages, and comes with a lower Australian warranty (70% after 10 years) than the European one (80%). It suits some homes. For whole-home backup or demanding loads, other batteries may serve you better.
What are the alternatives to Fronius in 2026?
Tesla, Sigenergy, and Goodwe all build inverters and batteries designed to work together as one system. The Tesla Powerwall 3 offers instant backup. The Sigenergy SigenStor is modular and highly rated. Goodwe sits at the value end. Each brand has trade-offs, and the right pick depends on your roof, your loads, and your budget.
What should I do if I have a Fronius inverter?
Check your warranty status. Monitor your system. If you are thinking about a battery, speak to an independent installer before you commit. An older Fronius unit may limit your options, and replacing the full system in one step is often cheaper than upgrading in stages.
