Top 10 Best Solar Micro Inverters in 2023 – Tips and Guides

Most of the appliances in our homes run on electricity, and many work tools also run on electricity. Even at the office, many pieces of equipment are powered by electricity.

This makes electricity indispensable to us these days. Unfortunately, electricity from the grid is not always available. In some locations, like the countryside, there’s no power at all.

In some other cases, natural disasters often occur, and they affect the power supply. For these reasons, people have been looking for alternative ways to get power. The most common alternative is a power-generating set.

It is rather unfortunate that generators come with their drawbacks. They run on either liquid propane or gasoline. That means you’ll have to continue buying fuel if you have to use them.

Generators also make a lot of noise. So, you have to place them far away from you. The biggest challenge with generators is their harmful emissions that are causing global warming issues.

Because of these challenges, people are shifting to solar inverters. They are quiet, they don’t require fuel, and they don’t emit any gas. All they need is sunlight. The inverters receive DC current from solar panels and convert it to AC with which you can power your appliances.

There are many of them available in the market, so it may be a little difficult for you to make a choice. This is why we have come up with this report. It contains reviews of the best solar micro inverters in the market.

In addition to the reviews, we have also recommended the best one for you. In the end, we expect you to choose the one we recommended or pick any other one from this list. We assure you that they are all excellent products.

What Does a Solar Micro Inverter do?

A solar micro-inverter or a micro-inverter is a device that can connect to a single solar panel and convert DC (direct current) from the panel into AC (alternating current). A micro-inverter is used to power household appliances or be sent into the grid for energy credits.

Micro-inverters can control the output of a single panel, unlike string inverters. String inverters are designed to manage multiple strings or series of panels plugged into an input on the inverter. Micro-inverters, on the other hand, are each paired to their own panel. For example, if you have a 24-panel system, you would have 24 micro-inverters installed for each individual panel.

Our Picks of 10 Best Micro Inverters for Solar Panels:

1. Pikasola 800W Waterproof IP65 Micro Solar Inverter

This is the best micro-inverter on our list, and that is why we reviewed it first. It offers a continuous wattage of 900 watts and a peak wattage of 1,000 watts. Its DC input voltage is about 22 volts – 65 volts. Also, it has a peak efficiency of 90%.

We were able to install this inverter much more easily. Using the inverter will give you some peace of mind because it is protected from overheating, high voltage, low voltage, short circuits, overloads, and reverse polarity. Nevertheless, don’t make a habit of overloading it.

This inverter has a digital display unit that shows daily power generation, total power generation, date, time, internal temperature, real-time power, real-time voltage, and more. The inverter is quite portable because it weighs only 11.45 pounds. To crown it all, it has a current Amazon rating of 3.9 stars.

Features

2. Solar Power Grid Tie Inverter

This is another inverter from Eco-Worthy, and that is an indication of the standard of the brand.  Its pack comes with a user manual, a pack of screws for installation, and one AC cable. The inverter dishes out 600 watts. The inverter is highly efficient, like the one reviewed above.

It is protected from overloads, short circuits, high voltage, low voltage, overheating, and reverse polarity. That’s why it is certified by CEC. This inverter is capable of giving out 600 watts continuously.

The power is enough to power your appliances. It also has an LED display that shows the voltage and other information. Also, the inverter is waterproof, so you can also use it in a ship, boat, or yacht.

You can be sure that this device is resistant to rust and corrosion. Also, this inverter is very durable, and it also has a high Amazon rating.

Features

3. WiFi Micro Solar Inverter 1200W MPPT

First of all, what attracted us to this inverter is its warranty. This device comes with a 25-year warranty in some select stores. What is even more impressive is that its users believe that you may not need the warranty because of the toughness, ruggedness, and durability of the unit.

Another quality that will attract you to this device is its ease of installation. We can confirm that because we were able to install it easily. Its portability is also worthy of mention. A micro-inverters that weighs only 2.38 pounds can be moved around easily. It is approved for wet locations because it is waterproof.

Its efficiency level is quite impressive. You’d love to have an inverter with 97.5% efficiency. The inverter gives a peak wattage of 320 watts and a continuous wattage of 315 watts. Also, its battery life expectancy is ten years.  Finally, it is protected from overloads, short circuits, high voltage, low voltage, and overheating.

Features

4. Zunate WiFi Micro Solar Inverter

We noticed that this inverter is very quiet. In fact, it is quieter than many other inverters. Also, its variable-speed fan keeps it cool, no matter how hard it works. The best feature of this product is its wattage. When you purchase this inverter, you’ll enjoy 6,000 watts for your appliances.

It weighs 47.3 pounds. Only very few users have rated it, but they all gave this amazing inverter 5 stars. So, it has an Amazon rating of 5 stars. That is perfect. It is durable, and it is easy to install.

You don’t have to worry about overheating, high voltage, low voltage, overheating, overloads, and short circuits. This device is protected from them all. That’s why it is durable and rugged. It has a single USB port and two RJ45 sockets.

Another reason why we selected this unit for review is its high peak efficiency. Isn’t 96.9% efficiency impressive? All the inverters made by this manufacturer are NEC-compliant.

Features

5. Enphase IQ7PLUS-72-2-US Micro-inverters

This inverter is also very durable, and it is easy to install.  Its portability is also worthy of mention. A micro-inverters that weighs only 2.95 pounds can be moved around easily. It is approved for wet locations because it is waterproof. You will love its 97.5% peak efficiency. Also, it gives continuous and peak wattages of 315 watts and 320 watts, respectively.

Also, its battery life expectancy is 10 years.  Finally, it is protected from overloads, short circuits, high voltage, low voltage, and overheating.

Features

6. Marsrock 1000W Grid Tie Micro Solar Inverter

This inverter gives 600 watts, and it is waterproof. So, you can use it in wet locations. It is up to 99% efficient, and that makes it one of the most efficient inverters in the market.  It has an intelligent monitoring feature, so it won’t work if the connection isn’t correct.

The pack comes with a user manual and a 2-meter three-core connection cable. The device weighs only 5.84 pounds, making it very portable. You can easily carry it around, and it won’t take much space in your home or office.

Also, its rating is very high. The unit is not only tough; it is also very durable. It conforms to the highest safety standards because it is protected from high voltage, low voltage, overloads, short circuits, overheating, and reverse polarity.

We were able to install it quite easily, so you should be able to install it easily too.

Features

7. Micro Solar Inverter Grid Tied 350W SG350MS

Would you believe it when we say that this inverter comes with a 25-year warranty? Of course, it is. Secondly, it is very easy to install. Its efficiency is 96%. Due to its safety features, it has been certified by CEC. The device is protected from high voltage, low voltage, overheating, overloads, short circuits, and reverse polarity.

So when you purchase this inverter, you’ll enjoy some peace of mind. It is also very durable. Since it is weatherproof, you can place it outside without fear. It is designed for 24V Solar Panel or 2x 12V Solar Panels.

The device has a dimension of 2.5 inches by 8 inches by 16.7 inches. It also weighs only 5.15 pounds. So, it is portable enough for you to move it around. Also, it has a current Amazon rating of 5 stars, and that makes it perfect.

Features

8. Mophorn 1200W MPPT Waterproof Solar Grid

This inverter offers a peak efficiency of 96.3%, CEC efficiency of 95%, and MPPT efficiency of 99.5%. This inverter also comes with a 25-year warranty. This is an indication of its long lifespan. The installation of this unit is quite easy due to its simplified PV system design. There is performance monitoring for each PV module.

The inverter is resilient to debris and dust. A weight of 4.4 pounds, in conjunction with a dimension of 1.38 by 5.44 by 9.06 inches, makes the appliance super-portable. It has an input of 225 watts. Like other micro-inverters on our list, it is also protected from low voltage, high voltage, overloads, overheating, short circuits, and reverse polarity. It is tough and durable. Users have given the product a rating of 3.8 stars.

Features

9. Marsrock IP65 Waterproof 1200W Micro Grid Tie Solar Inverter

This is another fantastic inverter.  First of all, it is resistant to heat and cold. You’ll get a peak output of 1,200 watts and a continuous output of 1,150 from this unit. Its MPPT efficiency is 99.5%, and its maximum output efficiency is 92%. It is protected from overheating because of its self-cooling design.

Due to its high standard, the device has been certified by CEC. It has a dimension of 18.5 by 13.5 by 4.5 inches, and it weighs only 8.75 pounds. So, it is very portable. Also, it is versatile because you can use it at home, in your office, in your work van, in your workshop, or in your boat.

It also has several safety features like the others. It is protected from low voltage, high voltage, overloads, overheating, short circuits, and reverse polarity. We assure you of its durability because some of its users have been using it for several years. Finally, it has an Amazon rating of 3.4 stars.

Features

10. KD WVC 1200W IP65 Waterproof Solar Grid Tie Inverter

The maximum input power of this inverter is 4 x 300 watts. Also, its peak output and continuous output are 1,200 watts and 1,150 watts, respectively. Also, its MPPT efficiency is 99.5%, and its maximum output efficiency is 92.5%. It is waterproof, and it also has the ability to cool itself while working.  This inverter is among those that have been certified by CEC.

Its pack comes with a user manual and a power cable that is up to 2 meters long. It weighs 5.51 pounds and has an Amazing rating of 4.0 stars. The device is protected from high voltage, low voltage, overheating, overloads, short circuits, and reverse polarity. So when you purchase this inverter, you’ll enjoy some peace of mind. It is also very durable.

Features

How much does a solar micro inverter cost?

The cost of a solar micro inverter varies from brand to brand. It also varies depending on the power of the micro inverter. The prices can range from $140 to as much as $2000. There are a few names famous for their micro-inverters. Such as Enphase Energy, SMA, Fronius, APsystems etc.

Are micro-inverters worth it?

The question that arrives the most regarding micro-inverters is ‘are they worth it?’.

Nothing comes without some disadvantages, which is valid for micro-inverters as well. But there are many advantages to it too.

Many micro-inverter manufacturers claim that solar micro-inverters have meager failure rates.

These inverters have new electrical codes that require rapid solar system shutdown. This ensures the safety of first responders or firefighters who have the risk of being shocked by high voltage when they need to be on rooftops or servicing power lines. Micro-inverters have this ability implanted into each module.

The main advantage of microinverters is that they yield more solar electricity practically. The reason is that there are slight differences in currents between solar panels. In a string solar panel, the current is decreased to that of the least-producing panel in the string. Micro-inverters also have 25-year warranties, which is way more than standard inverters’ warranty. It is also easier to expand the system with a micro-inverter.

Which is Better: SolarEdge or Enphase?

SolarEdge and Enphase are two of the biggest names when it comes to inverters. 95% of the global market shares for inverters are under their belt. The debate on which one is better has been going on for a long time. Enphase is known for its micro-inverters, whereas SolarEdge comes with String Inverter + Power Optimizers.

The 3 things we can compare to determine which is best are efficiency, price, and warranty.

1. Efficiency

SolarEdge inverters are known to have 99% efficiency. But we also have to take into consideration the efficiency of the power optimizers, which is 98.6%. This means that 98.6% of the electricity that goes through the optimizer will later be passed through the inverter. 99% of that electricity will then pass on to homes. That results in the total system efficiency being 97.6% (98.6% x 99%).

On the other hand,  Enphase inverters have 97% efficiency. So, there’s only a slight difference between the two, SolarEdge being a little ahead.

2. Warranty

SolarEdge and Enphase inverters both give out a long-term warranty on their inverters.

A SolarEdge string inverter comes with a 12-year warranty. And the power optimizer comes with a 25-year warranty. A 25-year warranty backs Enphase microinverters.

When it comes to warranty, Enphase comes out as the winner with a warranty that lasts 25 years.

3. Price

Both SolarEdge and Enphase are not the cheapest option when it comes to inverters. Enphase has always struggled with its pricing. SolarEdge is most likely the more affordable option of the two.

How long do Enphase micro inverters last?

Enphase is known to be long-lasting when it comes to its inverters. No other brand comes close to them regarding this. These micro inverters come with a warranty of 25 years. It has been designed to give service for over 20 years. That is significantly longer than any other inverter in the market.

Are micro-inverters more efficient than string inverters?

Micro-inverters and string inverters both come with a list of pros and cons.

String inverters are the most cost-effective choice, but their greatest downfall is that the entire system fails when one panel fails.

Whereas for a micro-inverter, each panel and each inverter pairing is a self-contained single-panel system. Micro-inverters separate the output of each individual panel and allows panel-level monitoring. You can also expand the system with a micro-inverter. In conclusion, you can say that micro-inverters are in many ways better than string inverters.

Do you need an inverter if you have micro inverters?

Inverters or string inverters are normally the most common and affordable inverter option that functions best if you have a roof with plenty of exposure to sunlight. A string inverter works better with power optimizers. But micro-inverters, on the other hand, are self-contained single-panel systems. You don’t need an inverter if you install a micro-inverter. A micro-inverter is the best option for you if you want to start small and expand the system later down the line.

How to Install an Enphase Micro-inverter?

Here is how to install an Enphase micro-inverter. To simplify it, we have listed it step by step.

1. Step 1

The first step is to put the AC cabling in the appropriate position, based on your preference.

2. Step 2

The next step is to install an AC branch circuit junction box.

3. Step 3

Now, the next step is to attach the micro-inverter to the PV racking.

4. Step 4

It is better to create an installation map.

5. Step 5

The next step is to ground the micro-inverter if the situation warrants it.

6. Step 6

It may be necessary to organize the Enphase cabling.

7. Step 7

Now, you can connect the micro-inverter to the cabling.

8. Step 8

Terminate the leftover end of the cabling. If there is any unused cable connection, you should seal it up. Now, you can connect the cabling to the AC branch circuit box. The final step is to connect the PV modules to the micro-inverters.

So, you now know how to install an Enphase micro-inverter. However, we will advise you to hire a pro if you can afford it to prevent any costly mistake.

What is the Best Solar Micro-inverter?

After several hours of deliberation, we all agreed that the best solar micro-inverter is the ECO-WORTHY 1000W 1KW MPPT Solar Grid Tie Inverter.

Here are some of the features that made it the best. This machine will give you a peak wattage of 1,000 watts. That power is enough to start up heavy, power-hungry appliances. Also, it can continuously supply you 900 watts.  You will also love its peak efficiency of 90%.

We appreciate the safety features of this device. When you purchase this inverter, you don’t have to worry about high voltage, low voltage, overloads, overheating, short circuits, and reverse polarity.

It is protected from all of them. When the voltage becomes too low, its low voltage alarm will go off, and it will shut down protecting itself and all the appliances connected to it.

This is why it is certified by CEC. Another distinguishing feature of this inverter is its digital display unit. It displays the date, time, internal temperature, and several more pieces of information.

The display units of other inverters do not display so much information. Also, it is very portable and durable. With a weight of 11.45 pounds, it wouldn’t be difficult for you to carry it around.

Many of its users have been using it for several years. So, it is safe to say that this device is durable. To wrap it all, it has a high Amazon rating. With the listed features, you’ll agree that it is the very best micro-inverter on this list. So, we recommend it to everyone.