When Malaysians think about installing solar, the focus is often on panel brands, system capacity, payback period, or TNB bill savings.
But one component silently determines how your system works, what features you get, and whether your home is ready for future upgrades:
π Your inverter - the brain of your solar system.
The inverter decides:
Whether your system can support batteries
Whether you can stay powered during a blackout
Whether you qualify for Solar ATAP or TNB NEM
How efficiently you convert sunlight into savings
How “future-proof” your system is
In Malaysia’s residential market, there are three major inverter types:
Normal (Non-Hybrid) String Inverter
Hybrid Inverter
Off-Grid Inverter
This guide breaks down each type in detail, explains their functions, pros/cons, and finally connects everything to Solar ATAP, launching this December 2025.
The string inverter is the most common inverter installed in Malaysian homes, especially those applying for Solar ATAP.
It connects your solar panels in “strings,” converts DC to AC, and feeds excess power to TNB.
Solar panels produce DC electricity
String inverter converts DC → AC
AC powers your house
Excess solar is exported to TNB
TNB gives credit on your bill (ATAP/NEM rules)
If the grid goes down → the system shuts off (anti-islanding protection)
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β Lowest cost among all inverter types
β High conversion efficiency
β Simple, proven design
β Fast installation & easy maintenance
β Fully compatible with Solar ATAP
β Ideal for homeowners seeking maximum savings and fastest ROI
β Cannot charge batteries
β Cannot supply power during blackouts
β If one panel is shaded, the whole “string” performance drops (unless paired with optimizers)
Normal landed homes wanting fast ROI
ATAP applicants
Users who don’t need battery storage
Urban areas with stable TNB supply
Homeowners who want the lowest upfront cost
In 2025, about 80–90% of Malaysian homes still use string inverters due to excellent value and ATAP compatibility.
If you want blackout protection, battery storage, or future-proof solar, this is where the hybrid inverter shines.
A hybrid inverter does everything a string inverter does, but with additional features.
A hybrid inverter:
Converts DC → AC
Charges your home battery using solar
Discharges battery during night/evening
Automatically powers your home during blackouts
Allows flexible energy routing:
Solar → Home
Solar → Battery
Solar → Grid
Battery → Home
Battery → Grid (depending on rules)
It switches seamlessly between solar, battery, and grid depending on your home’s demand.
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β Supports battery (immediate or future)
β Powers essential loads during TNB outages
β More control over energy usage
β Reduces night-time TNB consumption
β Can be ATAP-compliant with correct design
β Ideal for rising electricity tariffs & longer outage concerns
β Higher investment than string inverters
β Approval under ATAP/NEM depends on configuration
β Battery adds additional cost
β Requires proper backup design to avoid overloading
Homeowners wanting energy security
Areas that experience frequent outages
Homes planning to add batteries later
Users wanting to reduce night-time TNB usage
High-energy households (AC, fridge, EV charger)
The hybrid inverter market is growing fast due to Malaysia’s rising interest in home battery backup.
An off-grid system is designed for locations completely disconnected from TNB.
It operates independently—meaning no grid export, no TNB backup, and no monthly bill credits.
Solar charges a large battery bank
Battery supplies electricity to the home 24/7
Solar must be oversized to last during cloudy/rainy days
Usually paired with a generator (genset) as emergency backup
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β 100% energy independence
β Works in remote areas without TNB
β No dependence on grid reliability
β No blackout issues since it doesn’t rely on TNB
β Not eligible for Solar ATAP or NEM
β Highest system cost
β Requires large battery capacity
β Requires high maintenance
β Risky for urban homes due to load variation
Remote farms
Rural properties
Cabins, chalets
Construction sites
Locations with no TNB infrastructure
Not suitable for normal residential areas connected to TNB.
| Feature | String Inverter | Hybrid Inverter | Off-Grid Inverter |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATAP Compatible | β Yes | β οΈ Yes (depending on design) | β No |
| Battery Support | β No | β Yes | β Yes |
| Blackout Backup | β No | β Yes | β Always |
| Cost | π² Lowest | π²π² Medium | π²π²π² Highest |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium | High |
| Ideal For | Urban homes, ATAP users | Homes wanting battery & backup | Remote locations |
Solar ATAP is designed to make solar installation more affordable for homeowners and SMEs.
For ATAP users:
Cost-efficient
High ROI
Fast approval
Simple compliance
Ideal for typical homeowners
You can install a hybrid inverter under ATAP as long as the design meets TNB/NEM requirements.
This is perfect for homeowners who want:
Battery now
or
Battery in the future
Off-grid systems are not permitted under ATAP or NEM because they do not interact with the TNB grid.
Malaysia’s Solar ATAP programme will officially launch this December, offering attractive incentives and rebates that will:
β Reduce your upfront solar cost
β Shorten your payback period
β Lower your TNB bill immediately
β Make premium inverters more affordable
β Likely have a limited quota
This launch will create high demand, and installation slots are expected to fill quickly.
Be among the first Malaysians to enjoy the new solar rebates when ATAP opens.
π Pre-register your interest today
π Get a free system design & quotation
π Receive your personalised ATAP savings report
π Priority installation once ATAP launches in December
Whether you’re choosing:
A Normal String Inverter for maximum savings
A Hybrid Inverter for blackout-ready protection
Solar ATAP will significantly reduce your investment.
Malaysia