Inverter News

Introducing SMA’s New Hybrid Inverters for Residential Use

lithiuminverter June 28, 2023

The new inverters are designed to work with both solar panels and lithium batteries. They offer several advantages over traditional inverters, including increased efficiency, longer lifespan, and better performance in cloudy conditions.

SMA, a German inverter manufacturer, unveiled new one-phase hybrid inverters designed for residential rooftop solar power systems in June 2023 [1, 2, 3]. These inverters are called the Sunny Boy Smart Energy and come in four versions with power outputs ranging from 3.6 kW to 6 kW

Here are some key features of the SMA Sunny Boy Smart Energy inverters:

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Hybrid Functionality: They can integrate with both solar panels and battery storage, allowing homeowners to generate clean solar power, store excess energy for later use, and achieve greater energy independence from the grid.

A hybrid inverter for home-based applications is a versatile device that combines the functionalities of a solar inverter and a battery charger. It essentially allows you to manage your home’s energy needs using a combination of solar power, battery storage, and the grid. Here’s a breakdown of what a hybrid inverter does:

1. Grid-tied Solar Power Generation:

Grid-tied solar power generation with a lithium battery is a system that combines solar panels, a grid-tied inverter, and a lithium-ion battery bank to create a comprehensive home energy solution. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and its advantages:

Components:

Solar Panels: These capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity.
Grid-Tied Inverter: Converts the DC electricity from the solar panels into usable alternating current (AC) electricity that can power your home appliances. It also synchronizes your system with the utility grid.
Lithium-Ion Battery Bank: Stores excess solar energy generated during the day for later use. Lithium-ion batteries are preferred for their longer lifespan, higher depth of discharge, and maintenance-free operation compared to lead-acid batteries.

How it Works:

Solar Power Generation: During sunny periods, your solar panels generate DC electricity.
Power Consumption: The inverter converts the DC electricity to AC electricity to power your home’s appliances.
Excess Energy Storage: If your solar panels are producing more power than you’re consuming, the excess gets stored in the lithium-ion battery bank.
Self-consumption at Night: When there’s no sunlight (nighttime or cloudy days), the inverter can automatically draw power from the battery bank to meet your home’s electricity needs.
Grid Backup: In situations where both solar and battery power are insufficient (extended outages or high power demand), the system can draw power from the utility grid.
Grid Tie-in Option (Net Metering): Some regions have net metering programs that allow you to sell excess solar energy back to the grid. The meter will run backward when you’re exporting power.

Benefits of Grid-Tied Solar with Lithium Battery:

Increased Self-Consumption: Store solar energy for later use, reducing reliance on grid power and potentially lowering electricity bills.
Backup Power During Outages: The battery bank ensures a continuous power supply for essential appliances during grid outages.
Improved Grid Stability: Solar power generation with battery storage can help stabilize the grid by reducing peak demand and providing additional power sources.
Environmentally Friendly: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels and your home’s carbon footprint.
Potential for Cost Savings: Over time, the savings from reduced electricity bills and potential net metering benefits can offset the initial investment costs.
Low Maintenance: Lithium-ion batteries require minimal maintenance compared to lead-acid batteries.

During sunny periods, your rooftop solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity.
The hybrid inverter then converts this DC electricity into usable alternating current (AC) electricity that can power your home appliances.
Any excess solar energy generated that your home doesn’t use can be exported back to the utility grid in some net metering programs.

2. Battery Storage Integration:

The hybrid inverter can work seamlessly with a battery storage system.
When your solar panels are producing more power than you’re consuming, the excess energy can be stored in the batteries for later use.
This stored energy becomes especially valuable during power outages or periods of low sunlight when your solar panels aren’t generating enough electricity.

3. Grid Independence:

In the event of a power outage, the hybrid inverter can automatically draw power from your battery bank to meet your home’s electricity needs.
This ensures you have backup power to keep essential appliances like lights, refrigerators, and medical equipment running during outages.

4. Improved Self-Consumption:

By storing and utilizing solar energy instead of relying solely on the grid, you can increase your self-consumption of solar power. This reduces your dependence on the utility grid and can potentially lower your electricity bills.

Benefits of Hybrid Inverters:

Hybrid inverters offer a multitude of benefits for homeowners looking to optimize their solar power systems and improve their home’s energy profile. Here’s a breakdown of the key advantages:

Increased Energy Independence and Security:

Backup Power During Outages: Hybrid inverters paired with battery storage ensure a continuous power supply. During grid outages, your home can automatically draw power from the batteries to keep essential appliances running. This translates to peace of mind and reduced disruption to your daily routine.
Reduced Reliance on the Grid: By storing excess solar energy and using it later, you can minimize your dependence on the grid, particularly during peak usage hours when electricity costs might be higher.

Improved Self-Consumption and Potential Cost Savings:

Maximize Solar Energy Utilization: Hybrid inverters enable you to store surplus solar energy generated during the day and use it at night or during low-light periods. This maximizes the use of your solar panels and reduces your reliance on grid power, potentially leading to lower electricity bills.
Smart Grid Interaction: Some hybrid inverters can participate in smart grid programs, allowing you to sell excess solar energy back to the grid at peak rates.

Improved Self-Consumption: Lower electricity bills by using more solar energy.
Efficient Energy Management: Optimizes energy use by switching between solar, battery, and grid power.
Potential for Renewable Energy Integration: Can work with future technologies like wind turbines.

High Efficiency: They boast efficiency ratings of up to 97.5%, meaning they convert a high percentage of the captured solar energy into usable electricity
Fast Battery Charging: These inverters are designed for fast charging of lithium-ion batteries, particularly beneficial in regions with frequent cloud cover, This allows homeowners to maximize solar energy capture during sunny periods and have it readily available during outages or low-light conditions.
Multiple Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT): The inverters feature three MPPT trackers, which enable optimal solar energy production even with complex roof layouts or partial shading [3].
Compact Design: They are transformerless and have a compact design, making them suitable for space-constrained installations.

These new hybrid inverters from SMA offer a compelling solution for homeowners in India looking to maximize their solar power generation and battery storage capabilities.

Here are some additional points to consider:

The specific pricing and availability of these inverters in India might vary depending on the retailer and region.
It’s always recommended to consult with a qualified solar installer to determine the best inverter solution for your specific needs and roof setup.

Overall, the launch of the SMA Sunny Boy Smart Energy inverters signifies a trend toward more advanced and efficient solar power solutions for residential applications.