Continuous Power vs Peak Power: How to Choose the Right Solar Inverter

When choosing a solar inverter, many homeowners focus only on the headline number — 5kW, 6.5kW, or 12kW.
However, understanding the difference between continuous power and peak (surge) power is critical to building a reliable solar system.

---

What Is Continuous Power in a Solar Inverter?

Continuous power is the amount of power an inverter can supply constantly over time without overheating or triggering protection.

For example:

• A 6.5kW inverter can continuously supply 6,500 watts

• This is what supports everyday household loads like lighting, electronics, and refrigeration

This rating matters most because homes rarely operate on short bursts alone.

---

What Is Peak (Surge) Power?

Peak power refers to the inverter’s ability to handle short, high-current surges, usually lasting a few seconds.

These surges happen when:

• Air conditioners start

• Water pumps turn on

• Refrigerators or compressors cycle

Motors often require 2–3× their running power during startup.

---

Why Peak Power Matters More Than You Think

A system may look adequate on paper, but still fail if surge power is ignored.

Example:

• Refrigerator running power: 150W

• Startup surge: 600–800W

Without sufficient surge capacity, the inverter may:

• Shut down

• Restart repeatedly

• Trigger fault protection

---

Continuous vs Peak Power: Real Home Example

This is why a 6.5kW or 12kW inverter often performs better than smaller units, even if average load seems low.

---

How to Choose the Right Inverter Rating

1. Calculate total continuous load

2. Identify largest surge load

3. Ensure inverter peak power exceeds surge demand

4. Add safety margin for future expansion

---

Final Recommendation

Always evaluate both continuous and peak power ratings.
For modern homes, higher-capacity hybrid inverters provide stability, flexibility, and long-term reliability.