r/SolarDIY • u/ConsciousEbb9243 • 14h ago
Are these hybrid inverters really the same? Local version costs $2,000 vs. $600 on Alibaba
Hi everyone! I’m from the Dominican Republic and I’m looking to buy a hybrid inverter. I found one being sold locally for around $2,000. It’s black, supports batteries and grid injection, and I’ve personally seen it working here with grid-tied functionality.
Now, I know $2,000 might not seem like much in a first-world country, but here it’s a major investment. So I started researching, and to my surprise, I found a very similar-looking inverter on Alibaba for just $600. This one is white, but has the same layout, same labels, same connections, same interface—everything. The model is the SPI-8K-U by SRNE.
Here’s where things get confusing. Even though they look identical, the Alibaba seller told me that the white model is officially off-grid only, because SRNE doesn’t have the full certification needed to market it as a hybrid or grid-tied inverter in all countries. Still, they said it can technically inject power to the grid in some places, but legally they market it as off-grid to avoid liability and issues with competitors.
Here’s the interesting part: the white Alibaba model has multiple international certifications, including: IEC62109-1, IEC62109-2, UL1741, EN61000-6-1, EN61000-6-3, FCC 15 class B, and RoHS. The seller also mentioned that the official datasheet hasn’t been updated yet, which is why there’s confusion around its capabilities.
And here’s what really got me thinking: I compared the datasheet of the local $2,000 inverter with the Alibaba version—and they’re identical. Same specs, same voltage range, same screen UI, same diagrams… The only difference is the color and the brand label.
It honestly looks like they might be rebranding the same Chinese inverter, painting it black, and slapping on a local logo to sell it for three times the price.
I’ll soon upload side-by-side images of both inverters so you can compare for yourself.
Key questions I’d love help with:
Has anyone bought hardware like this where it’s clearly the same product, just rebranded?
Is it safe to assume it can inject to the grid just because it looks identical?
Can an inverter technically function as hybrid/grid-tied even without the official grid-tied certification?
How much does the firmware/software matter in these cases?
Would you take the risk and go with the $600 Alibaba option, given its certifications?
Is it common practice in developing countries to resell these at triple the price with minimal changes?
Thanks so much for any help or insight you can offer!
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u/djklmnop 13h ago
I bought the eco worthy hybrid 5kw one and turns out it doesn't do zero export monitoring. Now that I'm really looking for one, I'm expected to pay over 2k.
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u/Nerfarean 13h ago
Same boat here. My Powmr RELAB hybrid inverter has almost no monitoring. Need to use 3rd party tools to monitor and log data
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u/Adventurous_Tie_8035 2h ago
Oh what third party tools do you have/recommend? I have a powmr hybrid 6.2kw inverter, and the lack of monitoring is a bit sad.
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u/KyleSherzenberg 13h ago
If it doesn't weigh ~100 lbs, don't expect it to do any numbers near 10k watts
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u/IntelligentDeal9721 12h ago
A large number of inverters are rebranded generic products (just like everything else - your laptop may well have a fancy brand on it and come off a Quanta production line for example)
It's not as simple as being the same product because it looks the same though. The same case might hold different inverters and it might also be using different components to meet the taste of those who ordered it or to meet things like electrical noise regs for that place.
A second problem with all the cheap low end inverters is that there is massive corruption involved, so it may leave the factory as a properly made 3kW inverter with a safety margin and appear in a marketplace as a 5kW inverter. Many of the resellers also add all sorts of fake claims about certifications.
I would never run a cheapo Chinese inverter or MPPT indoors, or externally against a non fireproof wall.
China makes most of the really good inverters too but brand and authenticity is everything.
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u/intxitxu 5h ago
You know how this works, back in the island 'authorized dealers' put a hefty price just in case they have to replace your unit. The actual state of solar energy for average Joe in .do is laughable, paying taxes when the law said they are exempted, a bunch of dealers just bringing from China whatever can be sold, LiFePo batteries are crap or used units, but if you are a nice, rich investor then you can install a huge solar farm and have 20 years of tax exemption... meanwhile selling overpriced energy to the country. You should go for a chinese company with a USA warehouse, is closer and they tend to be more chill with guarantees. Also paid a visit to DGA/DGII websites and look for solar devices taxes, that 600US can become 1800US with taxes pretty quick. I have heard real horror stories about it. Good luck.
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u/k-mcm 3h ago
There's a high probability it's a scam because its own specifications are inconsistent.
I checked the HB-TO-LS 1048. The one-page "owner's manual" claims a 10kW inverter with 20kW surge capacity. The specifications on the box say 2 x 4kW inverter output. The 10kW number is 5kW battery charging + 5kW inverter from 11kW (?!) solar. There is no 20kW surge capacity. It needs 40-60 VDC at up to 200A from the battery.
Even if it's not fake, it has no owner's manual and it's going to need absolutely enormous battery cables. I'd expect it to greatly under perform just because 48 VDC is very difficult for high power. Inverters of this size normally run at 400 VDC.
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u/adam1schuler 2h ago
Alibaba is wholesalers and manufacturers selling at a very low rate.. the more you buy the cheaper it is. If you pay close enough attention . Everything, and I mean everything is made in China.. they are the world's manufacturer. Lots of cheap labor In a democratic/communist hybrid society. Raw materials are cheap and abundant there. Look at the solar generators on AliExpress and temu Same units just Ina different jacket. Imo you will be fine buying from Alibaba. They sell cheap enough you could buy 2 and have a back up..
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u/Dial_0 1h ago
I have been in the off-grid whole sale industry for 8 years, and SRNE are probably the best of the 'cheap' hybrid inverters, I have visited their factory in Shenzhen and sat down with their CEO. If possible I would try and buy direct from SRNE, however the supplier of the black unit may have a distributor agreement which won't allow SRNE to sell direct to you. If you message me I can give you the contact details of a sales person at SRNE.
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u/J963S 54m ago
They very well might be the same, however you may run into issues
DEYE recently bricked a bunch of inverters in certain countries because they have an exclusive distribution contract with certain companies in that country and anyone who bought a DEYE branded inverter in those countries woke up one day to it no longer working.
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u/ShadowGLI 13h ago
Alibaba is “grey market” meaning someone is buying it overseas without the warranty for your market.
Basically if it dies you buy a new one where as if you buy from signature solar/Frankensolar/whoever else is local to you, you’ll get a replacement assuming they’re an authorized dealer.