Fronius vs Sungrow inverters - which one is right for you?

Fronius and Sungrow both make good inverters. Find out which inverter fits your budget and needs.

In our search for the best solar panel for a sustainable home design, we landed upon two popular names, Fronius and Sungrow. Now, both of these inverters had their own merits and demerits, so we scoured the internet to find more about these solar inverts.

Installing a solar panel in your home is a life-changing decision. Yet, one must choose only the best solar inverter to ensure that it stays by your side for years. In terms of durability, Fronius would be a clear choice as compared to Sungrow. However, you might have to pay a premium price ($800 to $1500) for these features. For affordability without compromising on efficiency and reliability, Sungrow is a valued investment.

So, without further ado, let us compare these two market toppers. We will also understand what makes them perfect for your solar panel and what doesn’t.

Company Background: Fronius V/S Sungrow

Source: https://live.staticflickr.com/4470/37438533322_60f5b07dbf_b.jpg

Fronius

With its headquarters based in Austria, Fronius dedicates its services to repair & recharge solar panels. The company started in 1990 & initiated research and working of solar energy. This particular sector is an established section of the company, given its skilled employees. Further, the company flaunts about 30+ years of expertise and experience in tapping into solar energy.

Sungrow

Alternatively, Sungrow is based in China and was established in 1997 while serving as a globally acclaimed technology provider. The company specializes in manufacturing photovoltaic inverters & energy storage hardware for commercial, residential, utility, & industrial photovoltaic plants. Sungrow is positioned towards innovation & development of energy extracted from renewable sources.

In the past years, the company has managed to rank as the fastest-growing firm dedicated to solar energy in Australia.

Now that we have established the company's origin story let us do a comparative study of these two brands.

Comparative Study: Fronius vs. Sungrow

Both Sungrow and Fronius are the best sellers in Australia. As per the Clean Energy Review (CER), you must select your solar inverter after considering several factors. These aspects include price, warranty, & product performance.

Price

Optimum performance & high quality comes at a premium price. Fronius is one such brand that is considered a premium name as per European standards. This is why you need to pay a higher price for Fronius equipment.

If you need something affordable, Sungrow is the brand for you. This doesn’t mean that Sungrow has inferior quality products. The high performance-price ratio makes it a high-value investment.

Warranty

Fronius and Sungrow provide a 10-year manufacturer warranty on their inverters.

Fronius has a good reputation in the market with its long-term existence. Moreover, buyers can trust the company's products as it is known for longevity and quality.

Now, Sungrow is a newer company in the market but shows its strength with high performance. Today, it is the 2nd largest manufacturer for solar inverters globally, succeeded by Huawei inverters at first.

Fronius Performance

The performance showcased by Fronius solar inverters can be narrowed down to these features:

  • Ease of Installation
  • 97.8 percent efficiency
  • Functions perfectly with Wi-Fi app
  • 10-year manufacturer warranty
  • Built-in direct current isolator
  • Reliable build
  • Sleek design
  • Immediate access tech support
  • Manufactured in Europe

Sungrow Performance

  • Great functioning with Wi-Fi app
  • Top-notch construct
  • 98.4 percent efficiency
  • Manufactured in China
  • Sleek installation with built-in direct current isolator
  • 10-year manufacturer warranty
  • Easy detection of arc fault
  • Quiet operation
  • Excellent customer support

Types of Fronius Inverters

With Fronius, you get access to a range of inverters that are designed specifically for residential & commercial usage.

Fronius Galvo:

The Fronius Galvo range is available between 1.5kW-3.1kW. It is ideal for homes that need a single-phase power supply.

Features of Fronius Galvo:

  • Datalogging integration
  • Internet connection possible (via plug-in or WLAN technology)
  • Smart meter (optional) for real-time energy consumption monitoring
  • Dimensions (H X W X D) - 645x431x204mm
  • Weight - 16.4 Kg
Model1.5 to 12.0 to 12.5 to 13.0 to 13.1 to 1
Nominal AC Output1500 Watts2000 Watts2500 Watts3000 Watts3100 Watts
Maximum Efficiency95.9 Percent96 Percent96.1 Percent96.1 Percent96.1 Percent
Maximum Input Current13.3 Ampere17.8 Ampere16.6 Ampere19.8 Ampere20.7 Ampere
Maximum Output Power1500 Volt-Amperes2000 Volt-Amperes2500 Volt-Amperes3000 Volt-Amperes3100 Volt-Amperes

Fronius Primo

Featuring a SnapInverter system for mounting, the Fronius Primo is easy to install and a straightforward design. Let us check out its specifications in the table below:

Model3.0 to 13.5 to 13.6 to 14.0 to 14.6 to 15.0 to 16.0 to 18.2 to 1
Maximum Output Power3000 VA3500 VA3680 VA4000 VA4600 VA5000 VA6000 VA8200 VA
Maximum Efficiency98%98%98%98%98.10%98.10%98.10%98.10%
Maximum Input Current12A12A12A12A12A12A18A18A
Maximum Output13A15.2A16A17.4A20A21.7A26.1A35.7A

Fronius Symo Hybrid

This hybrid variant of Fronius inverter features a controller, battery inverter, charging, system monitoring, and more. The output range for this inverter is between 3-5 kW.

Model3.0 to 3-S4.0 to 3-S5.0 to 3-S
Nominal AC Output3000VA4000VA5000VA
Maximum Input Power (PV)5000W6500W8000W
Maximum Output3000VA4000VA5000VA
Maximum Efficiency97.70%97.90%97.90%

Sungrow Inverters

The core product by Sungrow is its photovoltaic inverter that has been tested under several certifications. These certifying agencies include TUV SUD, CSA, UL, TUV Rheinland, etc. Inverters manufactured by Sungrow are popular in 150+ countries, including the US, India, Australia, Italy, Japan, Germany, and more.

Inverter TypePower RangeUsageProducts (Model No.)
String Inverters2.5kW to 250kWCommercial and residential solar projects like a carport, rooftop, tracker, ground mount, etcSG2K/2K5/3K-S, SG3K/3K6/4K/4K6/5K/6K-D,
   SG3KTL-S/SG5KTL-D,
   SG8K-D,
   SG8K3-D,
   SG2K-S SG2K5-S SG3K-S Premium,
   SG3K-D SG5K-D Premium,
   SG8K-D Premium,
   SG5/6KTL-MT/SG8/10KTL-M,
   SG10KTL-MT,
   SG250HX,
   SG250HX-US,
   SG125HV,
   SG111HV,
   SG110CX,
   SG100CX-JP,
   SG33/40CX/50CX,
   SG30CX,
   SG25CX-SA,
   SG60KU-M,
   SG36/60CX-US,
   SG33K3J,
   SG49K5J,
   SG12/15/20KTL-M,
   SG125HX,
   SG15/17/20RT
Central Inverters500kW to 6.8MWUtility-scale applications like large buildings or industrial facilitiesSG5000UD-20,
   SG1250UD/SG1500UD,
   SG3600UD/SG3425UD,
   SG3125HV-30/SG3000HV-30/SG2500HV-30
Customized Inverters1.25MW to 6.8 MWTailored for specific businesses with a higher need for power generationSG6250/6800HV-MV
   SG3600UD-MV/SG3425UD-MV,
   SG3125/3000/2500HV-MV-30
Hybrid Inverters3kW to 6.9MWPower Conservation RequirementsSH3K6/SH4K6,
   SH5K-20,
   SH5K-30,
   SH5.0/6.0/8.0/10RT,
   SC50/60/75HV,
   SC500TL/SC630TL,
   SC2500/3150HV-MV,
   SC2500/3150HV,
   SC2500/3150U-MV,
   SC2500/3150U,
   SC5000HV-MV,
   SC5000U-MV

Related Questions

Do Sungrow inverters make noise?

The Sungrow inverters are as silent as you would want your standard inverter to be. With a noise level as low as 30dB, these inverters can be quieter than your average refrigerator. These solar inverters produce a sound level that is close to whispering.

Does my Fronius inverter shut down at night?

Solar inverters such as Fronius are designed to be connected with solar panels. They function only as a response to the sunlight. This means they immediately turn off post sundown. This is completely normal & there is nothing for you to be worried about.

Are Fronius inverters worth the premium price?

Although the price might be a tad overwhelming for some users, Fronius inverters are reliable and dependable with a range of features. Backed by an experienced brand name, this inverter is sure a smart bargain.

Conclusion

This article will help you select the best among the two by evaluating all the features mentioned above. We personally feel both these inverters are perfect in their own way. While Fronius gives you access to premium quality design and features, Sungrow gives you access to affordability without compromising on quality. Ultimately, the choice boils down to your personal needs.

Let us check out the complete summary distinguishing Fronius from Sungrow to help you make a wise purchase.

FactorFroniusSungrow
Power Rating3kW- 27 kW1kW-110kW
Efficiency95% to 98%95% to 97%
Warranty5 to 20 years5 to 10 years

If you have any queries left unresolved, share them with us, and we would surely help resolve the same as soon as possible.

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