In recent years, Brazil has seen significant growth in its installed solar energy capacity. In 2022, the country reached 24,079 GW of installed power, ranking eighth in the world in this segment.
In 2023, the country surpassed 26 GW and in December 2024 the installed capacity reached 33,83 GW, consolidating solar energy as an important component of the national electricity matrix.
In this context, hybrid inverters emerge as advanced technological solutions, allowing the combination of solar generation, energy storage and connection to the electricity grid.
This article presents the operating principles of hybrid inverters and their applications, highlighting specific solutions for the residential, commercial and industrial markets.
What is a hybrid inverter?
A hybrid inverter is a device capable of managing energy from photovoltaic panels, storage batteries and the electrical grid. It allows:
Real-time generation and consumption
The energy generated by the photovoltaic modules is used directly to supply the installation's electrical loads, optimizing instantaneous consumption and reducing dependence on the electrical grid.
energy storage
The surplus energy generated is stored in batteries, ensuring an efficient supply at times of lower solar generation, such as at night, or during times of power grid failure.
Interactivity with the network
The hybrid system allows both the consumption and injection of excess energy into the electrical grid, that is, it allows the user to maximize the use of the energy generated by the photovoltaic system.
In situations of high local demand, when solar production and storage are not sufficient, the system consumes energy from the grid to ensure continuous supply. This interactivity brings flexibility to the system and enhances economic and operational benefits for the consumer.
The great advantage of hybrid inverters is their versatility, enabling greater energy autonomy and reduced energy tariff costs.
Residential solutions
For the residential market, the Livoltek offers solutions that suit both single-phase and three-phase systems.
Single-phase system
As shown in the image, this solution is ideal for homes with lower electrical demand. The hybrid inverter manages the energy generated by photovoltaic panels, prioritizing immediate consumption, battery charging and, subsequently, injection into the electrical grid.
This system has the Hyper inverter line with powers of 3~6kW and scalable storage of up to 25 kWh with the use of up to five batteries, ensuring system flexibility.
Livoltek hybrid systems feature four operating modes that offer efficient energy management, adapting to the user's needs.
In off-grid mode, the system recognizes the absence of electricity supply from the concessionaire and operates independently, prioritizing the supply of local load with energy generated by the photovoltaic (PV) system.
If solar generation is not sufficient, the battery bank is automatically activated to supplement the supply, ensuring continuous operation of the loads.
Now at backup mode, the objective is to use the battery bank exclusively as an emergency power source. Solar energy prioritizes supplying the loads, and the surplus is directed to charging the batteries.
If solar energy is not sufficient, the power grid supplements the supply, powering the loads and recharging the batteries simultaneously. In situations of power grid failure, the battery automatically takes over the power supply to the loads, ensuring system continuity.
Auto-defined mode is especially beneficial for customers who have variable energy rates throughout the day, allowing the user to set specific times to charge and discharge the batteries. This functionality optimizes energy costs and is ideal for periods when rates are higher.
Finally, in self-use mode, the system is designed to reduce dependence on the power grid by optimizing the use of locally generated energy. In this scenario, when solar energy production is greater than or equal to consumption, photovoltaic energy will be used primarily to meet the loads, while the surplus is stored in the battery bank or, if necessary, exported to the power grid.
If solar production is insufficient to meet consumption, the battery will be activated to supplement supply until it reaches its maximum capacity. If solar production combined with battery energy is not sufficient, the electricity grid will be used to supply the remaining demand.
The system also allows you to set limits on the amount of energy exported to the power grid, increasing operational flexibility.
Three-phase system
For larger homes or those with greater energy demands, the three-phase system offers greater power and stability. With the capacity to supply critical and common loads, this system ensures greater energy security, even during grid outages. In the three-phase line, inverters have powers ranging from 5kW to 30kW, with storage of up to 30kWh.
Both systems have cloud integration for remote monitoring, four operating modes and compatibility with optional generators, expanding their application in different scenarios.
In addition to the features already presented in Livoltek hybrid inverters, the equipment also has a zero grid function. This feature allows you to limit or even block the export of energy to the electrical grid, offering the option of automatic control to avoid sending excess energy to the grid.
This feature is especially useful for meeting regulatory requirements, flow reversal cases or the specific needs of each installation.
Commercial and industrial solutions
In the commercial and industrial sector, where energy demands are significantly higher, we offer scalable systems with rack solutions, as exemplified in the image below.
The Livoltek system allows:
- Battery capacity of up to 300 kWh per inverter with modular expansion of up to five units.
- Integration of multiple inverters in parallel, increasing the total system power to 5-30 kW and storage capacity of 20-300 kWh per unit.
- Efficient management of critical and common loads, optimizing energy consumption.
The adoption of these technologies offers a series of benefits to companies, including cost reduction by avoiding higher tariffs during peak hours; greater reliability, ensuring autonomy in the event of interruptions in the electricity grid; and sustainability, promoting the reduction of the carbon footprint and alignment with ESG goals.
In the Brazilian market, characterized by abundant solar radiation and the continuous increase in electricity tariffs, the environment is favorable for the adoption of photovoltaic solutions. Current legislation, which encourages the generation of renewable energy, further strengthens this scenario.
In this context, the combination of hybrid photovoltaic inverters with batteries stands out as a particularly attractive solution, especially in remote regions or those with unstable electrical infrastructure, offering greater autonomy and energy efficiency to meet consumer needs.
References
- ANEEL. “Regulatory Resolutions and Impact on the Solar Energy Market”. Available at: www.aneel.gov.br
- BRAZIL. Ministry of Mines and Energy. Brazil becomes the eighth largest country in the world in installed capacity for solar energy generation. Available at: https://www.gov.br/mme/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/brasil-se-torna-o-oitavo-maior-pais-do-mundo-em-capacidade-instalada-para-geracao-de-energia-solar
The opinions and information expressed are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the author. Canal Solar.
An answer
Excellent overview, Nicolli! The clear approach to the evolution of hybrid inverters in Brazil—highlighting the 33,83 GW installed by December 2024—shows how hybrid solutions are consolidating themselves as catalysts for the energy transition.
The explanation of the four operating modes (off-grid, backup, self-defined, and self-use) is particularly insightful, as it reveals how the technology is suitable not only for residential use, but also for commercial and industrial use.
I found the "zero-grid" feature to be incredibly relevant—ideal for protecting flow reversal systems and meeting regulatory requirements. This demonstrates maturity in the solutions offered and sensitivity to the peculiarities of the Brazilian market.
We've been exploring complementary strategies, such as integration with management and IoT software, to further enhance the performance of these inverters. We'd be very interested in exchanging insights on remote monitoring and smart consumption forecasting—areas that, together, can further accelerate the adoption of hybrid systems in Brazil.
Congratulations on the technical, accessible, and yet thought-provoking content! We're available to collaborate or further discuss the topic.