For the past four to five years, PSC has exclusively offered Enphase microinverters due to their reliability, safety, and industry-leading 25-year warranty.
We’ve been waiting for string inverters to catch up to microinverters. And while that day is still in the future, we’ve found a string inverter that we can stand behind.
PSC is introducing Sungrow inverters as a cost-effective option for homeowners who need a reliable string inverter solution without the premium cost of microinverters.
In this review, you’ll learn about the following:
- Performance and Efficiency: How Sungrow Solar Inverters Stack Up
- Durability and Safety in Sungrow Solar Inverters
- Warranty and Support: How Sungrow Backs Its Solar Inverters
- Sungrow iSolarCloud Monitoring System
- Pros and Cons of Sungrow Solar Inverters
- Why PSC Added Sungrow Solar Inverters to Its Product Line
By the end of this review, you’ll understand what the Sungrow inverter is and how it can help you save with solar.
Performance and Efficiency: How Sungrow Solar Inverters Stack Up
Choosing the right solar inverter is one of the most important decisions when installing a solar system. Your entire solar system is built around the inverter.
What does an inverter do?
Solar panels harvest sunshine and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. However, your home runs on alternating current (AC) electricity.
Your inverter is the translator that converts DC to AC power.
An inverter’s efficiency, reliability, and features directly impact how much energy you save and how smoothly your solar system operates.
Sungrow manufactures a variety of inverters designed for different types of solar systems. Whether you are installing a small residential setup or a large commercial array, Sungrow has an inverter that fits.
Single-Phase Inverters (SG Series): Sungrow’s single-phase inverters are designed for homes and small businesses. These inverters come in sizes ranging from 2kW to 10kW.
Who it’s for: Single-phase homes with a relatively simple solar panel setup.
Best features:
- High efficiency (up to 97.9%).
- 2 – 3 MPPTs (Maximum Power Point Trackers) optimise solar energy collection across different roof orientations.
- Compact design and quiet operation.
PSC carries the 5kW and 10kW single-phase models, ensuring customers can access reliable and budget-friendly solar solutions.
Three-Phase Inverters (RT Series): Three-phase inverters are often used in larger homes and commercial properties that require more power.
Who it’s for: Large homes and businesses needing a more powerful system.
Best features:
- 98.5% efficiency
- 2 – 4 MPPTs, which is how many strings of solar panels feed into the inverter.
- Higher efficiency than single-phase models.
- Better load balancing for properties with high energy demands.
PSC offers 10kW, 15kW, 20kW, and 30kW three-phase models.
Sungrow inverters are among the most efficient on the market, consistently delivering strong performance at an affordable price.
For comparison, premium brands like Fronius typically reach between 97 and 98% efficiency.
Sungrow competes closely with high-end brands but often comes at a lower price point, making it an attractive option for those looking to save on upfront costs without compromising efficiency.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about inverters, you might want to check out the following article titled, What is a Solar Power Inverter?
Durability and Safety in Sungrow Solar Inverters
A solar inverter needs to withstand a variety of conditions. Sungrow has built its inverters with durability and longevity in mind. There are several features that will perform reliably over time.
Cooling System: Sungrow inverters have a cooling system that helps maintain consistent performance in high temperatures. This is particularly important in Australia, where intense summer heat can strain electrical components. A cool inverter is less likely to overheat and shut down.
The operating temperature is from -25°C to 60°C.
In addition to cooling, Sungrow inverters have an IP65 rating, meaning they are fully sealed against dust and resistant to water ingress. This makes them suitable for outdoor installations, where exposure to the elements is a concern.
Safety is another key aspect of Sungrow’s engineering. Many of their models include arc fault detection, which automatically shuts down the system if an electrical fault is detected. This reduces the risk of fire and makes the system safer overall.
However, it’s important to note that it lacks true rapid shutdown. Only Enphase systems can truly shut down the entire solar system at the panel level.
While Sungrow systems are perfectly safe when installed correctly, there is a higher risk of fire danger in systems with DC architecture. This is because the system will not fully shut down at the panel level. There will still be electricity in the wires leading down from the panels to the inverter.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about rapid shutdown, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Important is Rapid Shutdown in a High Voltage DC Solar System?
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Warranty and Support: How Sungrow Backs Its Solar Inverters
Sungrow provides a 10-year warranty on the inverters carried by PSC. This matches or exceeds the warranties offered by other string inverters in its class.
Key Warranty Details:
- Covers parts and manufacturing defects.
- Includes technical support from Sungrow’s Australian office.
- Extended warranty options are available in some cases.
A major advantage of Sungrow in Australia is its local support network. The company runs an office in Northern Sydney.
If anything goes wrong with your system, call us, and we’ll get Sungrow on the line for you.
If you’d like to learn a bit more about our aftercare, you might want to check out the following article titled, Penrith Solar Centre’s Service Department Safeguards the Future of Your System.
Sungrow iSolarCloud Monitoring System
The Sungrow iSolarCloud is an advanced monitoring system that helps homeowners and businesses track their solar system’s performance in real time. It offers easy-to-use tools to keep your system running efficiently while providing alerts if something needs attention.
Key Features:
- Live Monitoring: Tracks energy production, consumption, and storage from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
- Smart Alerts: Detects issues early and provides troubleshooting steps, reducing downtime.
- Secure Data Storage: Uses cloud-based technology to store system performance data safely.
- User-Friendly Interface: Allows simple one-touch setup, making installation and maintenance quick and hassle-free.
- Strong Connectivity: Supports multiple internet options, including Wi-Fi, 4G, and wired broadband.
Why It’s Useful:
- Keeps track of solar production and energy use in real time.
- Detects problems quickly, helping prevent costly repairs.
- Accessible anywhere, whether you’re at home or away.
- Designed for both homeowners and solar professionals for easy system management.
Sungrow’s iSolarCloud makes managing solar energy simple, efficient, and reliable, helping users make the most of their system’s performance with minimal effort.
Solar Analytics as an Alternative
In case you don’t like iSolarCloud, there’s an alternative we also recommend named Solar Analytics. Solar Analytics has some additional features not mentioned in the iSolarCloud datasheet.
Independent Monitoring Platform: Works with many different inverter brands, not just one.
Consumption Monitoring: Tracks both your solar production and your home energy usage, giving you a full picture of how you’re using power.
Bill & Tariff Analysis: Estimates your electricity bill, compares tariffs, and helps you find better energy plans.
Battery Suitability & Savings Insights: Tells if a battery makes financial sense and how much you save.
Performance Alerts: Notifies you if your system is underperforming compared to what’s expected for your location and system size.
Australian-Based: Designed specifically for the Australian grid and weather data.
We love energy use monitoring systems. You wouldn’t buy a car without a speedometer, and an energy use monitoring system is the same thing for your solar.
Whether you stay with iSolarCloud or investigate alternatives, this crucial piece of your solar system will help you make the most of your energy.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of monitoring and programming your energy, you might want to check out the following article titled, What is Consumption Monitoring?
Power up your savings. Click here.
Pros and Cons of Sungrow Solar Inverters
Who doesn’t love a good pros and cons list? Let’s look at the positive and the negative aspects of Sungrow inverters.
Pros:
Excellent value and affordability. Sungrow inverters strike a great balance between performance and cost, making them a solid choice for homeowners looking for a reliable solar solution without breaking the bank. They often come in at a lower price point than premium brands like Fronius while still delivering strong performance.
High efficiency (up to 98.5%). 98.5% is an exceptional efficiency rating. These inverters will make sure the solar energy your panels generate is converted into usable electricity. There’s less energy wasted, and this improves savings.
Well-supported with a local office. Having a local Australian office means that customers and installers have better access to support, warranty claims, and troubleshooting assistance rather than dealing with offshore customer service. This makes Sungrow a more dependable option compared to brands lacking a dedicated presence in the country.
10-year warranty. Sungrow offers a competitive 10-year warranty on many of its inverters, providing peace of mind that the product is built to last and that any issues will be covered for an extended period. This is on par with some of the biggest names in the industry, not just inverters in its class.
Well-regarded among installers. The brand has built a strong reputation over the years and continues to grow in popularity among professionals.
Cons:
Single point of failure (the inverter). Like all string inverters, Sungrow systems rely on a single inverter to convert energy from all the panels. If the inverter fails, the entire system goes down until it is repaired or replaced, unlike microinverter setups where each panel operates independently.
Limited features compared to high-end competitors. While Sungrow inverters perform well in terms of efficiency and reliability, they may lack some of the advanced features found in premium brands. Competitors like Enphase include enhanced monitoring down to the panel level.
Lacks true rapid shutdown. Unlike some high-end inverters that offer integrated rapid shutdown functionality, Sungrow doesn’t. This doesn’t mean that the system is unsafe. A good installation is the greatest protection against safety issues. Always.
If you’re interested in learning why other solar companies recommend a string system, you might want to check out the following article titled, Why Do Companies Sell 6.6kW String Systems with 5kW Inverters?
Let’s talk solar savings. Click here.
Why PSC Added Sungrow Solar Inverters to Its Product Line
For years, PSC avoided string inverters due to service issues and customer dissatisfaction. Back in 2019, we found that string inverter failures created overwhelming service demands, making it difficult to maintain the high level of customer support we strive for.
Why did PSC stop installing string inverters?
- String inverters require higher DC voltage, which can pose safety risks.
- They have higher failure rates than microinverters.
- The service demand for string inverters was overwhelming.
- If one panel underperforms, every panel in the system drops to match the lowest-performing panel.
PSC had to make a choice. We stopped selling string inverters in 2019 to ensure every system installed was as reliable as possible.
The inverters weren’t up to snuff six years ago, but things have changed.
We listened to our customers and those considering solar. The feedback for an affordable, entry-level offering was overwhelming. As a result, we now carry Sungrow systems.
Jake Warner, our founder and director, toured Sungrow’s factory in China and was highly impressed by the level of automation and quality control. The Sungrow factory was clean, organised, and largely automated, demonstrating a commitment to producing high-quality products.
This improvement has given PSC the confidence to reintroduce Sungrow string inverters as a budget-friendly option.
An inverter is only one part of a solar system. The other key factors are the solar panels and the installation itself.
- Cheap products installed by professionals can last a long time.
- Premium products installed by unqualified installers can fail in a few years.
The most important thing a customer can pay for is a quality installation. That is what PSC guarantees, no matter which inverter a customer chooses.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of a good installer for your solar (the most important component of any system, seriously), you might want to check out the following article titled, In-house Installers vs. Subcontractors: Which is Better?
Get started with solar. Click here.
Final Thoughts: Are Sungrow Inverters for You?
Sungrow inverters offer an excellent balance of efficiency, affordability, and durability. With efficiency ratings above 97%, cooling technology, and a 10-year warranty, they represent a great investment in solar energy.
For customers on a budget, Sungrow delivers great value without compromising performance.
Choosing the right installer is key. A well-installed Sungrow system can provide years of reliable performance and significant energy savings. At PSC, we do precisely that.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about weighing the cost of solar against the cost of the grid, you might want to check out the following article titled, Cost of Solar Panels vs. Cost of Energy from the Grid.
