By Positive Energy Solutions | Updated July 2026
Positive Energy Solutions is a Fronius Solutions Partner Plus in Perth. Fronius GEN24 inverters and the Verto Plus are the inverters we use across the large majority of our installations — and for good reason. They are CSIP-AUS compliant out of the box, they provide blackout protection when paired with battery storage, and they integrate natively with the Fronius Reserva battery and the Solar.web monitoring platform. But choosing the right model from the lineup is not simply a matter of picking a size.
The three inverters Positive Energy Solutions installs — the Primo GEN24 Plus, the Symo GEN24 Plus, and the Verto Plus — are different products, not different sizes of the same product. Your home’s phase (single or three-phase), the size of system your roof and usage support, and the level of blackout protection you want are the three factors that determine which one is right for you.
This guide explains each model’s practical differences, covers the WA-specific grid rules that apply to each, and gives you a clear framework for making the right choice before you sit down with an installer.
Quick Answer: Which Fronius Inverter Do I Need?
Note: Positive Energy Solutions installs solar and battery systems. All Fronius inverters above are paired with storage — Fronius Reserva or BYD HVM. We do not install solar-only systems.
Fronius Primo GEN24 Plus — Single-Phase
The Primo GEN24 Plus is the single-phase hybrid inverter in the Fronius GEN24 range. It is available from 3.0 kW to 10.0 kW and covers the majority of Perth metro homes, which are supplied on single-phase. Two MPPT inputs give flexibility in panel string design — useful for roofs with multiple orientations or areas of partial shading. The unit is IP66-rated and can be mounted outdoors without additional weather protection.
All Primo GEN24 Plus units include integrated WiFi for Solar.web monitoring and for CSIP-AUS compliance. The inverter communications standard mandatory for new grid connections in WA from May 2026. No separate WiFi dongle is required. The Primo is the straightforward choice for most Perth homes: single-phase supply, system sizes up to 10 kW, with the option of essential-circuit or whole-home backup.
Backup Options for Single-Phase Homes
The Primo GEN24 Plus can be configured for either Essential Home Backup or Full Home Backup. Essential Home Backup powers a defined backup circuit — typically lights, the fridge, and key power points — when the grid goes down. Full Home Backup routes the inverter through your main switchboard so that your whole home stays powered from battery during an outage. On single-phase, Full Home Backup is practical and cost-effective for most Positive Energy Solutions installations.
The right configuration depends on your switchboard layout, your critical loads, and your battery capacity. Positive Energy Solutions designs the backup circuit as part of the system design phase. In most single-phase Perth homes, Full Home Backup is the default recommendation.
Battery Pairing
The Primo GEN24 Plus pairs with the following battery options:
- Fronius Reserva: Fronius’s own LFP battery, integrating natively with the GEN24 platform and Solar.web monitoring. Note: the Primo GEN24 Plus is compatible with the Reserva 6.3 kWh and 9.5 kWh variants only — the 12.6 and 15.8 kWh towers exceed the Primo’s DC battery voltage range. Up to four towers can be connected in parallel. The Reserva is eligible for REBAR (VPP participation required) and the Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP).
- BYD HVM: An alternative LFP battery compatible with the Primo GEN24 Plus, suitable where BYD chemistry or specification better fits the system design.
Fronius Symo GEN24 Plus — Three-Phase
The Symo GEN24 Plus is the three-phase hybrid inverter in the GEN24 range. It is designed for homes already connected to three-phase supply — larger Perth homes, properties in estates wired three-phase as standard from around 2010 onwards, or homes with large air conditioning, workshop, or pumping loads that required three-phase connection.
Like the Primo, the Symo has two MPPT inputs and includes integrated WiFi for Solar.web and CSIP-AUS compliance. IP66-rated. It shares the same core GEN24 architecture as the Primo. The key differences are phase, power distribution across phases, and — critically — backup capability.
The Backup Limitation You Need to Understand
The Symo GEN24 Plus provides Essential Home Backup only. On a three-phase home, this means the backup circuit operates on one phase of the three-phase supply. During a grid outage, only the loads wired to that backup circuit — on that single phase — receive power from the battery. Loads on the other two phases are not backed up.
In practical terms: a Symo GEN24 Plus system in a three-phase Perth home will keep the backup circuit running (lights, fridge, selected power points, NBN — whatever is wired to it), but ducted air conditioning, electric ovens, pool pumps, and any other loads drawing from the other phases will not run during an outage.
This is not a deficiency in the Symo’s design. It is how three-phase inverter backup architecture works when the backup circuit is on a single phase. Many households find this perfectly acceptable. Others — those in bushfire-prone areas, those with medical equipment, or those whose air conditioning is essential — do not. If full whole-home backup across all three phases is a requirement, the Symo is the wrong inverter and the Verto Plus is the right one.
Who the Symo GEN24 Plus Suits
The Symo is the right choice for three-phase homes where essential-circuit backup is acceptable, system size sits within the 3–10 kW range, and no heavy three-phase loads must be kept running during a grid outage. It is a cost-effective path to solar-plus-battery for homes on three-phase supply where whole-home blackout protection is not a firm requirement.
WA Grid Rules: Symo GEN24 Plus Above 5 kW
At 6 kW and above, the Symo GEN24 Plus exceeds the 5 kW threshold in Western Power’s May 2026 grid rules. Systems with inverter capacity above 5 kW are subject to a 1.5 kW standing export limit — a grid connection requirement that applies regardless of VPP membership. Solar generation above the 1.5 kW cap cannot flow to the grid under the standing limit. Battery storage captures this generation instead, which is one reason Positive Energy Solutions does not install solar-only systems: without a battery, that generation is simply curtailed.
Fronius Verto Plus — Three-Phase, Full Home Backup
The Fronius Verto Plus is a higher-capacity three-phase hybrid inverter available from 15.0 kW to 33.3 kW. It is designed for homes and small commercial properties that need a larger solar system, full whole-home backup across all three phases during a grid outage, or both. It is the correct inverter when whole-home three-phase backup is the requirement — not a Symo GEN24 Plus with a larger battery.
The Verto Plus is architecturally different from the Symo GEN24 Plus, not just larger. Its backup system manages the transition to islanded operation simultaneously across all three phases. This means every load in your home — across all phases — can remain powered from battery when the grid goes down, subject to battery capacity and load size. Three MPPT inputs (versus two on the GEN24 range) give additional flexibility for larger, more complex roof layouts with multiple string orientations.
Backup Power Boost: Handling Heavy Startup Loads
The Verto Plus includes Fronius Backup Power Boost, which provides up to 50 kVA of peak surge capacity during a grid outage. Motor loads — ducted air conditioning compressors, bore pumps, pool pumps — draw significantly more current at startup than during steady-state operation. Without adequate surge capacity, these loads fail to start even if the battery has ample stored energy. Backup Power Boost handles this without external surge hardware, making the Verto Plus suited to homes with high motor load density.
Who the Verto Plus Suits
Three categories of Perth installations suit the Verto Plus. First: three-phase homes where whole-home backup during a blackout is a priority — if every load in the home must be backed up across all phases, the Symo cannot do this and the Verto Plus is the correct choice regardless of system size. Second: homes with large solar requirements — systems above 10 kW, large roof areas across multiple orientations, or where three MPPT strings provide meaningful design advantages. Third: small commercial properties on three-phase supply where system capacity and backup requirements both exceed what a residential GEN24 can handle.
Battery Pairing
The Verto Plus pairs with the Fronius Reserva battery. Up to four Reserva towers can be connected in parallel, giving a maximum of approximately 63 kWh of usable storage. Given the typical system size and whole-home backup requirements at this level, Positive Energy Solutions commonly recommends two Reserva towers for most Verto Plus installations, with the option to expand. The Reserva is eligible for REBAR (VPP participation required) and the CHBP.
Upgrading from a Fronius Verto to a Verto Plus
If you have an existing Fronius Verto inverter (the previous generation model, without the Plus designation), it cannot be converted to a Verto Plus through firmware update or hardware modification. These are different inverter platforms. A full inverter replacement is required to access Verto Plus functionality. If whole-home three-phase backup is a current or future priority, specifying the Verto Plus from the outset avoids a mid-life replacement.
Fronius Reserva Battery
The Fronius Reserva is Fronius’s own lithium battery storage product, designed to pair natively with the Primo GEN24 Plus, Symo GEN24 Plus, and Verto Plus. It uses LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry — well-suited to Perth’s climate due to LFP’s thermal stability, long cycle life, and consistent performance at elevated ambient temperatures.
Capacity within a Reserva tower is modular and scalable from 6.3 kWh to 15.8 kWh. Up to four towers can be connected in parallel per system, giving a maximum of approximately 63 kWh — well beyond what most residential systems need and sufficient for extended multi-day outages. The Reserva is IP65-rated and can be installed outdoors in a protected area as well as indoors.
REBAR: up to $1,300 for eligible Synergy customers (capped at $130/kWh up to 10 kWh usable). VPP participation required. CHBP (Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program): approximately $252/usable kWh from May 2026, approximately $2,500 for a 10 kWh battery.
Inverter Comparison: Primo vs Symo GEN24 Plus vs Verto Plus
WA Grid Rules and Your Fronius System (May 2026)
All Fronius inverters Positive Energy Solutions installs — Primo GEN24 Plus, Symo GEN24 Plus, and Verto Plus — are CSIP-AUS compliant and include integrated WiFi. CSIP-AUS is the inverter communications standard mandatory for new grid connections in WA from May 2026. No additional hardware is required on any Fronius GEN24 or Verto Plus system to meet this requirement.
Inverters 5 kW and Under: Full DEBS Pathway
Primo GEN24 Plus installations up to 5 kW access the full Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) export pathway. DEBS pays 2 cents per kWh for off-peak exports and 10 cents per kWh for exports during the peak window (3 pm to 9 pm). CSIP-AUS compliance and WiFi connectivity are both required — both are built into the Primo GEN24 Plus. No additional equipment is needed to satisfy the DEBS connection conditions.
Inverters Above 5 kW: 1.5 kW Standing Export Limit
Primo GEN24 Plus units above 5 kW, all Symo GEN24 Plus units from 6 kW, and all Verto Plus systems are subject to Western Power’s 1.5 kW standing export limit. This is a grid connection requirement — not a product limitation — and it applies regardless of VPP participation. Solar generation above the 1.5 kW export cap cannot flow to the grid under the standing limit.
This is one of the strongest practical arguments for battery storage at these system sizes. Solar that cannot be exported due to the 1.5 kW cap charges the battery instead, where it is available for evening and overnight self-consumption, for backup capacity during an outage, and for VPP grid services. During VPP activation events, Synergy can adjust the export limit as part of the grid service instruction — but the 1.5 kW cap is the standing baseline outside those events.
Why Choose Positive Energy Solutions for Your Fronius Installation
Positive Energy Solutions holds Fronius Solutions Partner Plus status — the highest level of Fronius accreditation for installers in Australia. This gives us direct access to Fronius technical support, priority parts availability, and the technical training to commission GEN24 Plus and Verto Plus systems correctly, including backup configuration and CSIP-AUS commissioning.
Positive Energy Solutions sizes every system from actual consumption data. Where 12 months of interval metering data is available, us uses it. Where it is not, us combines tariff data from your bills with load profiling based on your household’s appliances and usage patterns. The result is a system specification tied to your actual needs, with projected generation, payback, and battery sizing — not a generic kilowatt-per-room estimate.
Related guides
- Fronius GEN24 Plus Inverter Perth 2026: Full Review for WA Homeowners
- Fronius GEN24 Plus and Reserva: Why the Inverter and Battery Work Best Together
- How the Cheaper Home Batteries Program Works in Perth — What You Actually Get in 2026
- Fronius GEN24 PLUS Backup Power for Perth Homes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Primo GEN24 Plus and the Symo GEN24 Plus?
The Primo GEN24 Plus is single-phase — for most Perth metro homes. The Symo GEN24 Plus is three-phase — for homes on three-phase supply. Both are available up to 10 kW, both have two MPPT inputs, and both are CSIP-AUS compliant with integrated WiFi. The critical difference is backup capability: the Primo can provide full whole-home backup on a single-phase home, while the Symo provides Essential Home Backup only — backup operates on a single phase circuit, not across all three phases of the home.
Can the Symo GEN24 Plus provide full whole-home backup during a blackout?
No. The Symo GEN24 Plus provides Essential Home Backup, which operates on one phase of the three-phase supply. During a grid outage, only the loads wired to the backup circuit on that phase will have power. Loads on the other two phases — including most ducted air conditioning, electric ovens, and three-phase equipment — are not backed up. If full whole-home backup across all three phases is a requirement, the Verto Plus is the correct inverter.
My home is three-phase and I want the whole house backed up in a blackout. What do I need?
The Fronius Verto Plus. It is designed to provide Full Home Backup across all three phases simultaneously and includes Backup Power Boost (up to 50 kVA peak surge) for heavy motor loads like ducted air conditioning and pool pumps. The Symo GEN24 Plus cannot deliver this — the backup architecture is fundamentally different. Positive Energy Solutions will confirm the right Verto Plus capacity and battery configuration based on your total backed-up load and consumption data.
Can I upgrade a Fronius Verto to a Verto Plus later?
No. The Fronius Verto (without the Plus designation) and the Fronius Verto Plus are different inverter platforms with different backup architectures. There is no firmware update or hardware modification path to convert a Verto to Verto Plus capability — a full inverter replacement would be required. Similarly, a Symo GEN24 Plus cannot be converted to provide Verto Plus backup functionality. If whole-home three-phase backup is a current or future priority, the right decision is to specify the Verto Plus from the outset.
Which batteries pair with each Fronius inverter?
The Primo GEN24 Plus and Symo GEN24 Plus both pair with the Fronius Reserva and the BYD HVM. The Verto Plus pairs with the Fronius Reserva. The Reserva integrates most tightly with all three inverters and shares the Solar.web monitoring ecosystem. It is also the battery that supports the Full Home Backup functionality on the Verto Plus.
How many Fronius Reserva towers can I connect?
Up to four Fronius Reserva towers can be connected in parallel per system, giving a maximum of approximately 63 kWh. Each tower is scalable from 6.3 kWh to 15.8 kWh. One important caveat: the Primo GEN24 Plus is only compatible with the 6.3 and 9.5 kWh Reserva variants due to its DC battery voltage range. The 12.6 and 15.8 kWh towers require the Symo GEN24 Plus or Verto Plus. For most Perth households, one or two towers is the right starting point. Positive Energy Solutions sizes battery capacity from your actual consumption data.
Are Fronius inverters compliant with WA’s CSIP-AUS requirement from May 2026?
Yes. All Fronius GEN24 Plus and Verto Plus inverters ship with integrated WiFi and are CSIP-AUS compliant as standard. CSIP-AUS is the inverter communications protocol mandatory for new grid connections in WA from May 2026. No external WiFi adaptor, separate gateway, or additional hardware is required — compliance is built into every Fronius inverter Positive Energy Solutions installs.
How do I know which size Fronius inverter my home needs?
The right size depends on your available roof area and orientation, your consumption profile, your phase (single or three), your export situation under WA grid rules, and your battery storage goals. Positive Energy Solutions designs from actual consumption data — 12 months of interval metering where available — rather than a generic rule of thumb. A design consultation typically takes around 30 minutes and produces a system specification with projected generation, estimated payback, and battery sizing tailored to your household.
About the Author
Jason Wiktorowicz
Sales Manager, Positive Energy Solutions | Perth, WA
Jason has been at the centre of Western Australia’s energy transition for over a decade. As Orchestration Lead on Project Symphony — WA’s largest virtual power plant pilot — and Stream Lead on Project Encore, he worked directly with AEMO, Western Power and Energy Policy WA to shape how distributed energy resources connect and operate on the SWIS. That work included developing and rolling out CSIP-AUS, now mandatory for all new WA grid connections. He also led Emergency Solar Management (ESM), the first program of its kind in WA, VPP for Schools (VPP4S), which provided direct market benefits through Supplementary Reserve Capacity, and REBAR, the WA Residential Battery Rebate scheme.
His earlier career spanned Synergy, Infinite Energy and Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy Institute, where he co-authored peer-reviewed research on net-zero urban precincts, solar integration and peer-to-peer energy trading, published in the journal Urban Planning in 2018.
At Positive Energy Solutions, Jason leads sales with a focus on system design accuracy and long-term performance. Positive Energy Solutions installs solar and battery systems, EV chargers and heat pumps, and holds partner accreditations with Fronius, SigEnergy, iStore and SunPower. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
