Deye vs Solis Hybrid Inverters for South African Homes
If you are putting a hybrid inverter on a South African home, two names come up again and again on the Powerforum: Deye and Solis. Both brands are widely installed here. Both can run solar by day and keep lights on during load-shedding when paired with the right battery. The better choice depends on your phase (single or three-phase), the size of your loads, and which batteries you plan to use.
What both brands do well
A hybrid inverter combines a solar inverter with a battery charger and backup transfer in one box. It can export excess solar to the grid where your municipality allows it, charge a lithium bank from PV or Eskom, and switch critical loads to battery when the grid drops. Deye and Solis both offer single-phase low-voltage (48V) hybrids for typical homes, plus larger three-phase and high-voltage options for bigger houses, farms and light commercial sites.
We stock a range of sizes in both brands — from compact home units through to commercial string and hybrid models. Exact model availability changes with stock, so always check the live product page for the kW rating, MPPT count and battery voltage window.
How to compare without guesswork
- Power and phase: Match continuous and surge output to what you want on backup (not your whole DB board unless the system is sized for that). Three-phase homes and farms usually need a three-phase hybrid or a carefully designed single-phase critical-loads board.
- Battery voltage: Most home hybrids here are 48V/51.2V LiFePO4. Larger Deye and Solis HV hybrids need a high-voltage battery stack — do not mix LV batteries with an HV inverter.
- Monitoring: Both brands ship with phone/portal apps. Confirm Wi-Fi or dongle requirements on the product page before you buy.
- Parallel / expansion: If you may add a second inverter later, check that the exact model supports parallel operation and what the limit is.
- Warranty: Use the manufacturer’s current warranty terms (linked from the product or brand site). We do not quote year counts here because terms change by model and registration.
Battery compatibility
Always check the inverter’s approved battery list (CAN/RS485 BMS). A battery that works on one brand may need a different communication cable or firmware on another. If you are building a system from scratch, pick the inverter first, then a listed battery, then the matching BMS and battery cables.
Which suits which home?
Small home / flat: A 5–8 kW single-phase LV hybrid with a 5–10 kWh lithium bank covers fridge, lights, Wi-Fi and a TV through typical stage 4 outages if you manage heavy loads.
Larger home: 8–12 kW single-phase or a three-phase hybrid, with more battery capacity if you want geysers or air-con on backup (those loads eat kWh quickly).
Farm / workshop on three-phase: Prefer a three-phase hybrid or C&I-class inverter sized by a designer, with HV batteries where the inverter requires them.
Installer, COC and municipal registration
Hybrid systems that connect to the grid must be installed by a qualified person and issued with a Certificate of Compliance. Many municipalities require registration or a grid-tie agreement before you export. Budget for protection (fuses, isolators, SPD) and correct cable sizes — not only the inverter and battery.
Shop the ranges
Browse Deye inverters, Solis inverters, our bundle deals (pre-matched inverter + battery kits), and lithium batteries. Prefer to talk it through? Ask the Powerforum team — prices on the store are VAT-inclusive.
FAQ
Can I mix Deye and Solis on one battery bank?
Not as a shared DC battery with two different hybrid brands controlling it. Stick to one hybrid brand (or a designed AC-coupled layout) and a battery on that inverter’s approved list.
Do I need high-voltage batteries?
Only if your chosen hybrid is an HV model. Most home 48V hybrids use LV LiFePO4 modules. Check the product page for the battery voltage window.