Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between "open loop" and "closed loop" compatibility? Open loop means the battery charges, but the inverter has no visibility into state of charge, temperature, or cell balance — it's charging blind, and that can shorten the battery's life or damage it over time. Closed loop means the battery's BMS talks to the inverter over CAN bus or RS485, sharing real-time data so the inverter can charge it correctly. That distinction is the whole reason this site exists: manufacturers rarely spell it out, and "compatible" on a spec sheet usually just means open loop.

Why does the same battery show as compatible on one inverter's website and not on another's? Manufacturers test and document compatibility with a limited list of partners, often chosen for business reasons, not technical ones. A battery can be technically capable of closed-loop communication with an inverter and still not appear on either company's official list, simply because nobody tested that specific pair. We track pairings with documented evidence, wherever that evidence comes from — official pages, manuals, or verified installer reports — not just what one manufacturer chooses to publish.

Where does the compatibility data come from? Every pairing listed here links to its source: an official manufacturer compatibility page, a PDF manual listing supported protocols, or a forum thread where installers report tested results. We don't publish a pairing without a source, and we note the date it was last checked.

Can I mix battery brands on the same inverter? Usually not on the same battery bank — most inverters and BMS setups expect a single brand and firmware version communicating over one protocol. Mixing brands, even if each is individually compatible with the inverter, is a separate question this site doesn't cover yet.

What actually happens if I use an incompatible pairing? At best, the inverter can't communicate with the battery at all and simply won't charge it. At worst, it charges in open loop without the protection limits the BMS would normally enforce, which can degrade the battery faster or, in rare cases, damage it. Given how much these systems cost, closing that gap before you buy — not after — is the point of this site.

Is SolarPairing affiliated with any of the manufacturers listed? No. Some links on this site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. That has no effect on which pairings we list or how we describe their compatibility status — see the Terms of Use for the full disclosure.

My exact pairing isn't listed. What does that mean? It means we haven't found and verified a source for it yet, not that it doesn't work. New pairings get added as documentation becomes available.