Growatt Marks Milestone with Users Powering On

Fifteen years after entering the Australian market, inverter manufacturer Growatt is celebrating with the people who made its journey possible.

Growatt has taken the time to applaud the long-time residential users whose early adoption helped cement solar’s place on Australian rooftops.

The ‘One Decade Guest’ campaign was a national callout to households still using Growatt inverters installed before May 1, 2015. It generated enthusiastic responses, uncovering a surprising number of solar systems that have been quietly operating for more than a decade. In some cases, even longer.

“We saw many photos of older inverters still working after 11, 12, 13 years – even 14 years without permanent faults,” said Rex Wong, Marketing and Solution Manager at Growatt Australia.

“Some of them are still getting high feed-in tariffs. It’s amazing to see that kind of performance.”

Wong has been with Growatt’s Australian branch since 2017, almost half its operational life in the country.

He describes the campaign as both a celebration and a reality check – a rare chance to look back, test assumptions, and highlight what long-term solar ownership really looks like.

“First of all, these inverters are still working daily and generating clean energy. That’s the most important part,” he said.

“It means the return on investment has already been met. It’s good for the family, good for the grid, and good for the planet.”

A homegrown start in a pioneering market

Founded in China in 2011, Growatt shipped most of its early production straight to Australia, making the local market its “dream launchpad”, according to Wong.

“Our founder, Yong Qiang Ding, put his whole career and resources into developing residential inverters. Australia was the very first market,” Wong said.

“Back then, the solar rebate was just taking off around 2009, and we were lucky to catch that trend.”

Growatt’s early products, including the popular ‘Sungold’ inverter, quickly found traction with local distributors.

“Australia’s solar market was one of the earliest and most dynamic globally,” Wong said.

“It had strong sun, strict regulations, and a very forward-thinking attitude towards remote monitoring and control.”

In fact, Australia’s regulatory toughness proved to be a benefit, not a burden.

“If you can meet Australian standards, it becomes much easier to enter other global markets,” he said.

Reliable tech, supported locally

For many of Growatt’s decade-long users, the story is as much about service as it is about the technology.

While the company has shipped multiple generations of inverters globally, it has always tailored its designs and support model to suit Australian conditions. That includes software and hardware tweaks for state-based rules like flexible export limits and emergency solar shutdowns.

Crucially, it also includes people.

“Ninety percent of our staff in Australia are service engineers,” Wong said.

“We run our support line seven days a week, and our hours are extended to cover the whole country.”

If an issue cannot be resolved remotely, Growatt works with installers or sends a technician. When necessary, they will provide refurbished units to ensure a site stays operational.

“This is how we’ve built trust. If you’ve been here long enough, with a strong service record, people believe in your brand,” he said.

Wong believes this commitment to after-sales support is the real foundation for Growatt’s longevity in Australia.

“It’s not just about selling inverters – it’s about being here for the long run.”

Powering ahead

The ‘One Decade Guest’ campaign was not just a loyalty exercise. It became a proof point for Growatt’s core message: solar systems, when installed and supported properly, don’t just survive – they thrive.

The campaign invited eligible users to submit photos of their Growatt systems in exchange for a high-value portable power station. While the gift was a gesture, the response spoke volumes.

“Some people still have their old Growatt next to a new one, side by side,” Wong said.

“They’ve stuck with the brand and for me, that’s very exciting.”

There’s a technical takeaway too. With most inverter warranties set at 10 years, the fact that so many are running well past that raises questions and expectations for future product lifespans.

The secret to decade-long performance lies in design and support.

“It starts with component quality, and all the simulation and testing we do in the lab,” Wong explained.

“But after that, it’s all about local service – supporting installers, resolving issues quickly, and making customers feel confident in their investment.”

Designing for Australians, with Australians

Despite being a global product maker, Growatt says it builds for Australia from the ground up. Each generation of its inverter range has included localisation changes based on direct feedback from installers, regulators, and end users.

“We always ask: Is it easy to install? Is it good-looking enough to match the house style? Will it work with the state’s grid rules?” Wong said.

“Only after we’ve answered those questions do we go to market.”

That approach continues with Growatt’s upcoming product releases, including the SPH 3600-6000TL-HUB hybrid inverter system which comes with a built-in smart meter and simplified install process.

“It’s an all-in-one solution that cuts down time on site. We’re very excited about that,” Wong said.

Future storage and smarter systems

As the Australian energy market evolves, Growatt is evolving with it, leaning into battery integration, smart energy management, and grid compatibility.

From August, most new Growatt inverters will include battery capability by default, ready for direct connection without additional components.

“The demand for energy storage is growing fast, and we want to make it easy,” Wong said.

At the same time, Growatt is working with network operators across states like Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia to ensure its systems comply with increasingly complex rules. Flexible export, emergency limits, and voltage management are just some of the challenges.

“It’s difficult, to be honest,” Wong said.

“But we do our best to make sure our products are not just listed, but useful and usable across the whole country.”

Thanks to Australia

While the technology keeps changing, the spirit of Growatt’s Australian story remains rooted in long-term relationships.

Wong says he still meets customers who proudly show him decade-old systems, often inherited or passed down within families.

“Some of them still have the old 150W panels – tiny by today’s standards – the systems still work, still power the home, and still offset bills,” he said.

For the team behind the scenes, that means everything.

“We’re not a company that wants to make a quick buck and disappear,” he said.

“Australia has supported us, and we’ll keep supporting Australia.”

In a market crowded with newcomers and shifting regulations, that kind of staying power matters.