Do I Really Need a Hybrid Inverter? Not Always.

1. What’s a Hybrid Inverter Anyway?

• A hybrid inverter combines PV conversion and battery charging in one device.
• It connects directly to both your solar panels (DC) and your battery (DC).
• Great for new installations, where both solar and storage are planned together.

🔧 Note: Some hybrid inverters can technically support AC-coupled battery connections, but doing so introduces drawbacks:

The PV input becomes unused hardware, leading to wasted features

Costs are higher due to unnecessary inverter capabilities

Wiring and commissioning are more complex, and compatibility with the existing PV inverter is not guaranteed

2. The Catch: Retrofitting an Existing PV System

If you already have a working solar inverter, you have two options:

• Replace the old solar inverter with a new hybrid inverter that handles both solar and battery.
• Keep your existing PV inverter and add a hybrid inverter configured in AC-coupled mode.

However, using a hybrid inverter purely for AC coupling comes with trade-offs:

• Redundant functions (e.g., unused PV inputs)
• Higher equipment cost than dedicated AC-coupled systems
• More complex wiring and unclear compatibility with your original PV setup

So—why replace or complicate what’s already working well?

3. The AC-Coupled Alternative

• AC batteries like Cubex have their own inverter.
• They connect on the AC side, meaning your solar inverter stays untouched.
• Easy to add without interrupting your current system.
• Works with any brand—yes, even micro-inverters or optimisers.
• With no redundant PV inputs or unused features, keeping hardware lean and total cost lower.

4. Head-to-Head: Hybrid vs. AC-Coupled for Retrofits

5. When You Might Still Want a Hybrid Inverter

• Your current inverter is over 10 years old or underpowered
• You want to install both solar and battery from scratch
• You value one integrated box and app for everything
• You don’t mind being locked into a single brand ecosystem

Otherwise? AC-coupled wins on compatibility, speed, and simplicity.

Conclusion

If your rooftop solar system is already in place and working, a hybrid inverter is often unnecessary. AC-coupled batteries offer a plug-and-play retrofit that avoids costly replacements and supports a wider range of setups. Before upgrading, talk to your installer and ask:

“Can I keep my inverter and just add a battery?” You might be surprised how simple the answer is.