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Should I get a string inverter or a hybrid inverter?

Last reviewed . Guidance only, not financial or engineering advice.

The deciding question is whether you want a battery — now or ever. A hybrid inverter can manage panels and a battery together, so it's the right choice if you're getting storage at install or think you might add it later. A plain string inverter is cheaper but only handles panels; adding a battery afterwards usually means replacing the inverter, which wipes out the saving.

If you're confident you'll never want a battery — for instance, low usage, no EV, no evening occupancy, and you're happy to export your surplus for CEG payments — a string inverter can be a smart way to trim the cost. Going panels-only on a string inverter, putting the saved money into extra panels and leaning on export earnings, is a valid strategy, especially for low-consumption homes.

The hybrid premium is often around €1k. If there's any reasonable chance you'll want storage down the line, paying it up front (or at least going "battery-ready") is usually cheaper than retrofitting later. If you're certain you won't, don't pay for capability you'll never use.

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