How it works · 3 min read
Quick answer
A hybrid inverter manages solar panels and a battery in one unit, sending solar to the house, the battery or the grid as needed. You need one, or a separate battery inverter, to add a battery. If you are installing solar now and want a battery later, a battery-ready hybrid can save replacing the inverter.
Panels make direct current (DC). Your home runs on alternating current (AC). The inverter converts one to the other and decides where the power goes.
A standard solar inverter only handles panels. A hybrid inverter handles panels and a battery. It can:
You need some way to connect the battery. There are two common setups:
Which one is right depends on your existing inverter's age and condition, your switchboard, and whether you want backup.
Usually more than a basic solar inverter. If a battery is in your plans, it can avoid paying for a second inverter later. We quote the options side by side so you can see the difference.
We installed 10 kW of Trina panels with a 32 kWh Sigenergy battery in Northgate. The panels, battery and backup are managed as one system, so the owners see production, storage and usage in a single app.
If a battery is likely in the next few years, tell us now. We will recommend an inverter that suits today's system and tomorrow's battery.
A real Panda Power install that shows this topic in practice.
Home batteries from $6,999 to about $15,999
base prices after rebates, inc GST, as at October 2026
What affects the price: battery size, brand and inverter, whether you already have solar, backup wiring, and any additional work at your home.
Base price for a standard install, after government rebates, inc GST, as at October 2026. Additional work such as switchboard upgrades, three-phase changes or complex installs is reviewed and quoted separately.
More practical guides from the Panda Power team.
Batteries · 3 min read · 15 October 2026
Most homes can add a battery to existing solar, either with a new hybrid inverter or an AC-coupled battery. Here is how it works and what to check.
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How it works · 3 min read · 17 September 2026
Most grid-connected solar systems switch off in a blackout for safety. Here is why, and what it takes to keep power on: a battery with backup.
Read article →Written by the Panda Power team from our own installs and the questions customers ask us.
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Install before 1 January 2027
