An inverter with battery backup is usually bought as a package: one inverter and one or more batteries chosen to work together. Buying the batteries and inverter as a pair avoids a battery that will not talk to the inverter, or a bank at the wrong voltage. This page covers what has to match, the common kVA and kWh pairings, the difference between supply only and installed prices, and how to leave room to grow. Send one free, no-obligation request and suppliers and installers quote you directly.
What has to match
A battery with inverter only works well when the two agree on a few things. Check these on every package quote:
- Voltage: the battery bank must match the inverter's DC input, usually 48 V for home packages, sometimes 24 V or 12 V for small units.
- Communication: lithium batteries talk to the inverter over CAN or RS485 so it charges them correctly. Ask the supplier to confirm the pair is listed as compatible.
- Charge current: the inverter's charger and the battery's limits should suit each other.
- Chemistry: the inverter needs the right battery profile for lithium or lead acid.
Common pairings
A 5 kVA inverter with a 5 kWh lithium battery is the most quoted home package. It runs lights, wifi, TV, a fridge and the gate through an evening. Pair the same 5 kVA inverter with 10 kWh and you get roughly twice the hours, but no more power at once. Smaller 3 kVA packages suit flats and cottages; 8 kW hybrid inverters with 10 to 15 kWh suit bigger houses or homes adding solar. Remember the split: the inverter's kVA decides how much runs together, the battery's kWh decides for how long. For battery choices on their own, see 48V lithium batteries.
Supply only or installed
Some buyers want the kit delivered and their own electrician to fit it; others want one price for everything. About R20,000 to R26,000 buys a 5 kVA inverter and 5 kWh lithium battery package supply only; cost guides put it at about R65,000 to R90,000 installed. The gap covers labour, the essential circuit in the DB board, cables, isolators, surge protection, mounting and the CoC. If you go supply only, make sure your electrician is happy to work with that kit, and that warranty claims still go through the seller.
Planning for expansion
Batteries can usually be added later, but it is easier if you plan for it now. Ask whether the battery model can be stacked or run in parallel, how many units the inverter supports and whether the same model is likely to stay on sale. Mixing batteries of different ages or capacities is best avoided, so a second unit bought soon after the first is better than one bought years later. If solar is likely, a hybrid inverter in the package saves replacing it. Your installer can leave space and a cable route for the next battery.
What to include in your request
- Say the inverter size you have in mind
- Say how many kWh of battery you want
- Say supply only or installed
- Mention any battery you already own
- Ask if more batteries can be added later
Inverter & Battery Packages for different clients
- Homeowners: a 5 kVA inverter with 5 or 10 kWh of lithium battery for the essentials
- Complexes, estates and body corporates: matched packages for each unit so the body corporate keeps one standard across the complex
- Offices and home offices: a packaged inverter and battery for a small practice's computers, network and lights
- Shops, restaurants and salons: one package per shop for tills, card machines, lights and the display fridge
- Farms and smallholdings: a larger package for the farmhouse with battery room for long outages on rural lines
- Clinics, surgeries and care homes: a matched pair for a surgery or pharmacy, with the fridge and computers on backup
- Factories, warehouses, schools and churches: small packages for site offices, guard huts and control rooms on bigger premises
- Electricians, installers and security companies: installers buying inverter and battery pairs from wholesalers at supply only prices
Frequently asked questions
What is a fair 5kva inverter with lithium battery price?
Can I use my existing battery with a new inverter?
Is a 5kw inverter and lithium battery combo enough for a house?
Who sells the inverter and battery packages?
Inverter & Battery Packages by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg