Compare Batteries & Hybrid Inverters | Jousto Energy
Compare • Batteries & Hybrid Inverters

Choose the right battery system — with confidence

We compare the leading brands we support — Fronius, Sungrow, GoodWe, and Solis — and explain how to match capacity, coupling type, and backup options to your home. Add the Jousto Energy Hub for price-aware automations and one dashboard for everything.

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Fronius page Sungrow page GoodWe page Solis page | 3-phase sizes Single-phase sizes AC vs DC coupled

Brand overview at a glance

All four brands are strong choices. Your best option depends on capacity, phase, desired backup behaviour, budget, and integration needs.

Metric what it means Fronius (GEN24 + Reserva) Sungrow (Hybrid + SBR) GoodWe (Hybrid + Lynx) Solis (Hybrid)
Bankability & track record
Scale, service, and long-term support signals.
 Premium EU brand; service-first ecosystem; strong AU support. Global leader by shipments; strong local presence & support. Highly bankable hybrid specialist with strong growth. Tier-1 recognised; excellent residential value.
Coupling & round-trip efficiency
How much energy you keep after cycling the battery.
 DC-coupled design for high RTE (~90–95% typical system design). Hybrid DC with high RTE; flexible AC options in portfolio. Hybrid DC with high RTE; strong energy throughput. Hybrid DC; value-led designs with solid efficiency.
Backup behaviour
Switchover speed & whole-home vs essential circuits.
 Robust whole-home 3-phase possible (non-instant switchover). Hybrid models with <10 ms backup to essentials (series-dependent). UPS-grade switchover ~<10 ms on supported hybrids. <4 ms UPS-class switchover on supported hybrids.
Battery chemistry & sizing
Safety, expandability, usable capacity.
 Reserva LFP; 6.3–15.8 kWh per tower; scale to ~63 kWh (parallel). SBR LFP; modular; broad size range for homes & small business. Lynx HV LFP; modular; strong charge/discharge rates. LFP options; residential-focused capacities.
Value position
Where it sits on price vs features.
 Premium efficiency & service ecosystem. High-value specs at competitive pricing. Mid-tier price with hybrid strengths. Budget-friendly entry to Tier-1.

AC-coupled vs DC-coupled

DC-coupled hybrids charge the battery directly from PV before inversion, typically improving round-trip efficiency and daytime self-consumption. AC-coupled batteries add flexibility and retrofit ease (works with existing inverters) but involve extra conversions. We’ll recommend the right architecture for your goals and budget.

Do I need a new inverter?

If you’re adding a battery to an older string inverter, an AC-coupled battery can avoid replacing it. For new builds or full upgrades, a hybrid (DC-coupled) inverter can lift efficiency and simplify backup. Either way, the Jousto Hub manages the whole system intelligently.

Can I mix brands?

Yes — within compatibility limits. Many hybrids prefer matched batteries; AC-coupled batteries are typically brand-agnostic. Our Jousto Energy Hub unifies monitoring and automates EV/hot water/HVAC and battery behaviour across brands and tariffs.

Why do prices vary so much?

Materials, cooling, enclosures, monitoring, warranty, service infrastructure, switchover performance and brand positioning all influence price. Fronius targets premium efficiency and service; Solis leads on entry pricing; Sungrow and GoodWe blend high specs with strong value. We’ll align the choice to your objectives.

Single-phase battery on a 3-phase home?

Yes — you can back up essential circuits on one phase with a single-phase hybrid, but it won’t power the entire property evenly. For whole-home three-phase backup, choose three-phase hybrids and the required switching hardware.

Battery in the shed — can I still back up the house?

Usually yes, with correct cabling, protection and switching. Distance, trenching and voltage drop need design attention. We’ll confirm feasibility at site scope and advise on best-practice placement for safety, temperature and service access.

Common questions

What is BNEF Tier 1 and why does it matter?
BloombergNEF’s “Tier 1” is a bankability list indicating manufacturers whose products are widely financed for large projects. It’s not a quality ranking, but it signals lender confidence, scale and staying power — useful for long-term support and warranty assurance.
Do I need a new inverter with my battery?
No — not always. AC-coupled batteries retrofit to existing inverters. DC-coupled hybrids generally require a hybrid inverter but can be more efficient and provide tighter battery integration.
Can I mix and match brands with the Jousto Hub?
Often yes. The Jousto Energy Hub can integrate many inverter/battery/EV/hot water brands for unified dashboards and price-aware automations. We’ll confirm specific compatibility for your devices.
Why is there such a difference in price between Solis and Fronius?
Premium engineering (cooling, enclosures), service networks, monitoring platforms, warranties and backup behaviours vary. Fronius positions at premium efficiency with a deep service ecosystem; Solis aims at the best possible value for money.
What’s the difference between AC-coupled and DC-coupled?
DC-coupled stores solar in the battery before inversion, helping round-trip efficiency and self-consumption. AC-coupled is simpler for retrofits and brand mixing but has extra conversions. We design around your tariff, loads and goals.
Can I use a single-phase battery on a three-phase home?
Yes, for essential circuits on one phase. For balanced, whole-home backup, choose a three-phase hybrid architecture and appropriate switching hardware.
If my battery is in the shed, can I still back up loads in the house?
Usually yes. It depends on distance, cabling route and protection. We’ll check voltage drop, earthing and switching arrangements and advise on costs vs benefits.
Will the system work with wholesale plans like Amber or LocalVolts?
Yes. With the Jousto Hub, we can align charging/discharging and load control to tariffs or the NEM spot price, and even support peer-to-peer trades via LocalVolts for suitable setups.
Can you curtail exports when prices go negative?
On supported models we can export-limit or pause and prioritise useful loads to avoid the “sun tax”. See our Solar Curtailment guide.
Where can I dive deeper into each brand?
Explore our brand pages: Fronius, Sungrow, GoodWe, Solis.