Alpha ESS SMILE-SPB9.6-INV

Name: Alpha ESS SMILE-SPB9.6-INV
Brand: Alpha ESS

Battery inverter, ac-coupled battery inverter. 2 models, 7.6 kW–9.6 kW AC at 240 V.

UL 1741 SBCEC listed · May 1, 2024

Model

Rated AC power9.6 kW
CEC weighted efficiency96.5%

Models & power ratings

CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026) · NLR SAM inverter library · 2 models

Model	Nominal AC	Grid voltage	CEC continuous	Rated AC (SAM)	CEC weighted eff.	DC test window	CEC listed	UL 1741 SB
SMILE-SPB7.6-INV	7.6 kW	240 V	7.65 kW	7.65 kW	96.5%	200–495 V	May 1, 2024	SB
SMILE-SPB9.6-INV	9.6 kW	240 V	9.62 kW	9.62 kW	96.5%	200–450 V	May 1, 2024	SB

Efficiency

CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026) · NLR SAM inverter library

CEC weighted efficiency96.5%
Night-time standby (tare)9.5 W
Power to start converting28.4 W

CEC weighted efficiency is measured by an accredited lab at six power levels and three DC voltages — the number to compare between inverters.

Grid & smart-inverter certification

CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026)

UL 1741 SB (3rd ed.)Yes — CSA Group, certificate May 5, 2022
UL 1741 SA (SA8–SA13)No
Volt-VAr with reactive power priority (SA13)No
Freq-Watt / Volt-Watt (SA14–15)No
Disable permit service / limit active power (SA17–18)No
CSIP (IEEE 2030.5) conformanceYes — CSA Group, Jul 9, 2024
Monitor key data & scheduling (Rule 21 Phase 3)Yes (attested Sep 23, 2024)
CEC listedMay 1, 2024
Last CEC updateSep 23, 2024

UL 1741 SB is required for new interconnections in California (Rule 21) since 2026.

Compare with similar 9.6 kW inverters

CEC Grid Support Inverter List (Oct 7, 2026) · building permits

Inverter	Power	CEC weighted eff.	DC test window	UL 1741 SB	Latest CEC	SoCal permits
Alpha ESS SMILE-SPBx.x-INV	7.6 kW–9.6 kW	96.5%	200–450 V	Yes	2024	0
GoodWe GWxxxxA-BP	5 kW–9.6 kW	96.5%	200–495 V	Yes	2021	1
FOXESS AIO-AC1-x.x-US	3.8 kW–11.4 kW	97.0%	85–500 V	Yes	2025	—
APsystems (Altenergy Power System) ELS	6.61 kW–11.4 kW	94.0%	51–60 V	Yes	2024	—
Hoymiles HAS-x.xLV-USG1	3.8 kW–11.5 kW	94.0%	50–60 V	Yes	2024	—

Same type and grid voltage, power range covering this model; same fields from the same sources.

Questions & answers

How efficient is the Alpha ESS SMILE-SPBx.x-INV?

The California Energy Commission lists a weighted efficiency of 96.5% for Alpha ESS SMILE-SPBx.x-INV models, measured at six power levels and three DC voltages.

What sizes does the Alpha ESS SMILE-SPBx.x-INV come in?

The CEC list includes 2 models from 7.6 kW to 9.6 kW AC: SMILE-SPB7.6-INV, SMILE-SPB9.6-INV.

Is the Alpha ESS SMILE-SPBx.x-INV certified to UL 1741 SB?

Yes — the CEC Grid Support Inverter List shows UL 1741 SB for all models.

Can the Alpha ESS SMILE-SPBx.x-INV be used with a battery?

The CEC lists it as a ac-coupled battery inverter.

What is the SMILE-SPB9.6-INV’s DC input voltage range?

CEC tested it at 200–450 V DC.

Sources

California Energy Commission — Grid Support Inverter List (solar and battery inverters), data as of Oct 7, 2026. Manufacturer-reported, confirmed by CEC against certificates and test reports.
NLR (formerly NREL) — System Advisor Model CEC inverter library (version 2026.7.3).
Building permits — Southern California permit portals. Equipment matched from permit descriptions.