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LAST UPDATED: April 18th, 2023

Fronius started out as a single-man operation that has transformed into a global manufacturing business. Founder Günter Fronius started the company as a means to earn a living providing repair and maintenance services. However, this one-person operation quickly grew as the electrical engineer created a battery charger specifically designed to benefit cars. From there, the company expanded into other products. 

Today Fronius is an Austria-based company that provides services and products relating to welding technology, photovoltaics, and battery-charging systems. To date the company has over 6,100 employees with teams dedicated entirely to advancing current technologies and systems. One of the main focuses of the Fronius operation is its solar power initiatives, identifying better ways to harness renewable energy. 

Within the solar industry, Fronius is known for its inverter technology and advancements. The company’s inverters have been sold and installed on a global scale with a presence in over 60 countries spanning five continents. A driving factor behind Fronius’ success is the desire to efficiently convert and control energy.

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The Good

  • Inverter Products
  • Integral Features
  • Snap-In Design
  • Off-Grid Capabilities

Inverter Products

Fronius offers a wide range of inverter products and models. Depending on the needs of the client and the property itself, Fronius likely has a comparable solution that will make converting collected sunlight into usable energy seamless. Inverter products include:

  • Primo
  • Primo UL
  • SYMO
  • SYMO UL
  • ECO
  • SYMO Advanced
  • Primo GEN24 Plus
  • SYMO GEN 24 Plus
  • Tauro ECO
  • Tauro

Each inverter comes with its own technical specifications and performance metrics, but clients can rest assured that the technology of each Fronius inverter is built to last. That is something not all inverter manufacturers can guarantee. 

Integral Features

Depending on what inverter model a client decides to have installed, there are a number of key features that make Fronius products stand out. The snap-in design is just one element that sets Fronius apart. Additionally clients can expect the following from Fronius inverters:

  • High input current
  • Wide range of size options
  • Integrated DC Isolator
  • Fan forced active cooling system
  • External relay control

These features and advancements in inverter technology are what have made Fronius a force to be reckoned with in the solar industry. 

Snap-In Design

During its time of rapid innovation, Fronius continued to release new inverter models. However, in 2012, Fronius really made its mark on the inverter market when it released the first snap-in inverter (also known as the snapINverter). This development is what put Fronius on the map and made it to the go-to solution for inverter needs.

Unlike other inverters up to that point, installation could be tricky with common connectivity issues. The Fronius snap-in design simplified installation and made inverter monitoring and operational set up quick and easy. These were issues other manufacturers had been unable to solve up until the Fronius development. 

Off-Grid Capabilities

A major benefit for those looking to become increasingly energy independent is the fact that Fronius inverters have become a key element for stand-alone solar power systems. More specifically, the Fronius Primo solar inverter is easily coupled with a compatible multi-mode off-grid inverter-charger which essentially creates a full-blown AC coupled energy storage system.

Most inverters do not come with these advancements in technology or capabilities, so clients would have to find a specific off-grid solution. Fronius manufactures inverters with multiple operating modes and functionality. 

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The Bad

  • Residential Supply Issues
  • Limited Warranty

Residential Supply Issues

A common complaint of those trying to utilize Fronius inverters to complete the photovoltaic system is that there are regularly supply issues, particularly for the residential inverter solutions. There are a number of reasons for this, but a main chokehold is the fact that more and more residential clients are turning to Fronius for inverter solutions increasing the demand.

For U.S.-based clients, getting a Fronius inverter in recent years has taken some additional time which could potentially hold up the installation of the entire solar system. This is something to be aware of during the purchasing and system design portion of the process. 

Limited Warranty

When comparing solar inverters, a common comparison point is the warranty and associated coverage. Solar energy is an investment, regardless of the property size, so ensuring that equipment will operate and produce energy as expected are important to most clients. The industry standard for inverter warranty coverage hovers around 10 to 12 years, depending on the manufacturer.

Unfortunately for Fronius customers, inverters are only covered by the manufacturer for five years. Clients have the option to purchase the extended warranty coverage, which offers an additional five years of coverage for a total of 10 years of protection. However, clients are expected to pay for this additional coverage whereas other manufacturers offer it in the original purchase. 

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The Bottom Line

Fronius has become one of the best inverter manufacturers in the industry, claiming the top spot by many ranking organizations as the best string inverter producer. The company offers a number of inverter options to choose from satisfying the needs of residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects.

The features that make Fronius inverters so reliable include high input current and high efficiency ratings. The design of the Fronius inverter incorporates a snap-in method, reducing installation costs and connection issues. Fronius has also become a solid option for those looking for off-grid energy solar solutions. 

While Fronius is known for manufacturing high quality and dependable inverters, there are potential issues prospective clients may run into with the company’s products. For residential customers, there have been a number of supply issues in recent years which can put the entire solar project on hold. The warranty is also limited in comparison to other manufacturer warranties covering comparable products on the market. 

Those interested in an inverter with a number of performance and connection benefits as well as seamless design will likely benefit from the inverters that are produced and designed by Fronius. 

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