Hybrid inverter and battery: the basics
What a hybrid inverter does, and how to pick a battery for the backup you want.
A hybrid inverter connects your solar panels, a battery and the grid. It uses solar power first, then the battery, then the grid, so your bill falls and the lights stay on in a power cut.
Pick the inverter by load
Add up the watts of everything you want to run at the same time, such as fans, lights, a fridge and a pump, and choose an inverter with some room above that total. An air conditioner needs a much larger inverter than lights and fans.
Pick the battery by hours
Multiply the load in watts by the hours of backup you want, and use that to size the battery bank. More hours means more batteries.
Tubular or lithium
Tubular batteries cost less and need regular top-up with distilled water. Lithium batteries cost more but need little upkeep and last longer. Choose by budget and how much care you can give.