Battery and solar rebates step down every January. See what you can still claim
Sofar ESI single-phase
SofarInverters

Sofar ESI single-phase

3–6 kW · best for single phase homes adding a battery now or later

6.3Fair#58 of 59 inverter series we rank · EnergyUpgrade Score out of 10

4.6 out of 5 from 52 owner reviews of Sofar inverters

Type
Hybrid
Phase
Single phase
Efficiency
97.8%

Why it scores 6.3.

Each part comes from the datasheet with a published rule; anything not stated scores zero.

How we rate inverters
  • Efficiency

    6.0 · 30%

    Every point of efficiency is solar you keep, every day for 10+ years.

    Rule: Maximum efficiency on the datasheet: 96% scores 0, 99% scores 10.

  • MPPTs for split roofs

    5.0 · 20%

    Each MPPT runs one roof face independently, so east and west panels don't drag each other down.

    Rule: Number of MPPT trackers: 1 scores 0, 2 scores 5, 3 or more scores 10.

  • Heat tolerance

    3.3 · 20%

    Inverters on hot walls throttle or fail early. A higher operating limit means more headroom.

    Rule: Highest operating temperature: 45°C scores 0, 60°C scores 10.

  • Room for more panels

    10.0 · 15%

    How much panel capacity the inverter accepts, so you can oversize for winter and cloudy days.

    Rule: Maximum PV input divided by rated AC output: 1.2x scores 0, 1.5x or more scores 10. Rebate rules allow panels up to 133% of the inverter, so more than 150% adds little.

  • Weather sealing

    9.0 · 15%

    Most Australian inverters live outdoors.

    Rule: IP66 or better scores 10, IP65 9, IP55 4, lower 0.

Full specifications.

7 approved models · Australian datasheet

Sizes
3–6 kW
Type
Hybrid
Phase
Single phase
Takes a battery
Yes
Maximum efficiency
97.8%
European weighted efficiency
97.1%
Panel headroom (max PV ÷ rated AC)
200%
MPPT trackers
2
Backup output
5 kW
IP rating
IP65
Highest operating temperature
50°C
Cooling
Natural
Weight
26 kg
Compatible batteries
Lithium-ion

About the brand

Sofar inverters

Decent budget inverters that are growing fast, with local support. Its 2018 compliance problems are long past but worth knowing, and installers rarely pick it for their own homes.

Read the Sofar review
7.1

Brand rating#5 of 9 brands for inverters

See your home's score in two minutes.

Free, independent and no obligation. Up to three vetted installers quote on your bundle.