We recently launched the SolarQuotes Installer’s Choice Awards featuring the brands of solar panels installers would choose for their own homes. This week we turn our attention to the inverter – the box on the wall that converts DC solar power into your home’s 230-volt AC power.
What is the best solar inverter in 2026?
125 installers from the SolarQuotes network took part in this year’s survey and answered a simple question:
“If you were to install a solar inverter in your home today, which brand would you choose?”
Sungrow came out on top with 27% of installers’ votes, ahead of Sigenergy with 22%, while long-time favorite Fronius rounded out the podium with 13%.
Best solar inverters in Australia: 2026
The battle for third place was particularly close, with iStore finishing just one percentage point behind Fronius at 12%. Tesla came in fifth place with 7%, even though the inverter is only included in the Powerwall 3 battery.
First place: Sungrow
A Sungrow hybrid inverter installed by chief electricians.
Sungrow has been around in Australia since 2012, but its history goes back much further. Founded in China in 1997, the company has grown into the world’s largest inverter manufacturer, shipping millions of devices around the globe.
So why do plumbers vote for this?
One reason is flexibility. Sungrow’s residential inverters offer up to four MPPTs (Maximum Power Point Trackers), allowing solar panels to be distributed across multiple roof orientations and still operate efficiently. This is particularly useful with the complex roof designs common in Australian homes.
Installers also like the fact that Sungrow combines a lot of performance in a relatively inexpensive inverter. Features like Arc Fault Circuit Interruption (AFCI) are enabled by default, allowing the inverter to detect and shut down potentially dangerous DC arcs before they cause a fire.
Sungrow inverters can also accommodate more solar panel capacity than their AC rating.
Second place: Sigenergy
Sigenergy Sigenstor and Gateway installed by Stag Electrical Solar and Refrigeration.
Sigenergy took second place with 22% of installers’ votes.
This is an impressive result for a brand that has only been operating in Australia for a few years.
A large part of Sigenergy’s popularity is due to its all-in-one approach. Its modular design combines batteries, inverters and energy management in a single stackable system, creating a tidy installation that has proven popular with installers and homeowners alike.
The company’s rise was not without its challenges. Last year, certain single-phase Sigenergy devices were recalled due to issues with overheating AC connectors. The problem sparked considerable debate in the industry, particularly about the causes of the outages. Sigenergy redesigned the connector and promised to replace the affected products.
Despite this setback, installers clearly remain enthusiastic about the brand. Finishing just five percentage points behind Sungrow suggests Sigenergy has quickly established itself as a serious player in Australia.
Third place: Fronius
The Fronius Primo GEN24 inverter was installed by MC Electrical.
The podium was rounded off by Fronius with 13% of the installers’ votes.
Founded in Austria shortly after the Second World War, Fronius is one of the most established names in solar inverters and remains privately owned by the founding family.
Fronius was considered the benchmark inverter brand in Australia for many years. In fact, it has won the SolarQuotes Installer’s Choice Award five years in a row.
This year’s third place underscores how competitive the inverter market has become as newer brands offer ever more powerful products for less money.
Nevertheless, Fronius remains one of the most respected inverter brands in the industry and continues to enjoy great support from installers.
The inverter market is as competitive as ever
Congratulations to Sungrow on winning the top spot in the SolarQuotes Installer’s Choice Awards 2026 for solar inverters.
The results also show how competitive the inverter market has become. Whether installers prefer Sungrow’s feature-rich approach, Sigenergy’s integrated energy system or Fronius’ long-standing reputation for quality, there is no shortage of good options for Australian homeowners.
If you’re comparing inverters for your own solar system, check out SolarQuotes’ inverter comparison tool to see how the brands featured in this year’s awards perform side by side. For information about which panels to pair with your inverter of choice, check out the Installers’ Choice Awards winners for the best solar panels.
Or if you’re ready to tackle the purchase of a solar system, get up to three quotes from our verified network of installers.
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