Alpha ESS SMILE-SP9.6-INV

Name: Alpha ESS SMILE-SP9.6-INV
Brand: Alpha ESS

Hybrid inverter, dc-coupled hybrid (pv + battery). 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 efficiency97.0%

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-SP7.6-INV	7.6 kW	240 V	7.64 kW	7.64 kW	97.0%	230–480 V	May 1, 2024	SB
SMILE-SP9.6-INV	9.6 kW	240 V	9.63 kW	9.63 kW	97.0%	300–480 V	May 1, 2024	SB

Some models are also on the CEC Battery Inverter list — one product, two listings.

DC input (PV side)

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

CEC test DC voltages (min / nom / max)300 / 400 / 480 V
DC input at rated output (CEC test)9.95 kW

Efficiency

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

CEC weighted efficiency97.0%
Night-time standby (tare)9.4 W
Power to start converting22.5 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.

Panel compatibility & string sizing

NLR SAM inverter library · NLR PVWatts v8 · CEC PV Module List · Cali-Graf calculation

CityColdest air, °CHottest cell, °C

SMILE-SP9.6-INV: max DC 480 V · MPPT 300–480 V (CEC test window)

Most-permitted panels in Southern California

Panel	Power	Voc cold	Vmp hot	Panels per string	Installed together
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10.C+ 410	410 W	48.1 V	30.6 V	no fit	—
Qcells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ 410	410 W	48.1 V	30.6 V	no fit	—
LONGi LR5-54HABB-400M	400 W	39.3 V	25.3 V	12–12	—
JA Solar JAM54S31-405/MR	405 W	39.4 V	25.5 V	12–12	—
Hyundai Solutions HiN-T440NF(BK)	440 W	40.9 V	27 V	no fit	—
Silfab Solar SIL-440QD	440 W	41.1 V	28 V	11–11	—
Qcells Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ 430	430 W	41.3 V	28 V	11–11	—
Qcells Q.TRON BLK M-G2.H+ 430	430 W	41.3 V	28 V	11–11	—
REC Group REC460AA Pure-RX	460 W	68.8 V	47.1 V	no fit	—
Elin (Sirius PV) ELNSM54M-HC-410	410 W	39.3 V	25.3 V	12–12	—
Qcells Q.TRON BLK M-G2.C+ 430	430 W	41.3 V	28 V	11–11	—
Tesla TSP-420	420 W	43.4 V	27.7 V	11–11	—

Voltage check only, from CEC panel data and NLR weather for the city. Final design must follow the inverter manual and NEC 690.7.

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-SPx.x-INV	7.6 kW–9.6 kW	97.0%	300–480 V	Yes	2024	0
SolarEdge SExxxxH-US	3 kW–11.4 kW	99.0%	360–480 V	Yes	2025	1,046
Delta Electronics Ex-TL-US	3.33 kW–9.6 kW	97.5%	200–480 V	Yes	2022	28
SolarEdge SExxxxxA-US	3.8 kW–11.4 kW	98.0%	320–500 V	No	2024	18
Growatt MIN xxxxTL-XH-US	2.63 kW–11.4 kW	98.0%	125–480 V	Yes	2021	15

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-SPx.x-INV?

The California Energy Commission lists a weighted efficiency of 97.0% for Alpha ESS SMILE-SPx.x-INV models, measured at six power levels and three DC voltages.

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

The CEC list includes 2 models from 7.6 kW to 9.6 kW AC: SMILE-SP7.6-INV, SMILE-SP9.6-INV.

Is the Alpha ESS SMILE-SPx.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-SPx.x-INV be used with a battery?

The CEC lists it as a dc-coupled hybrid (pv + battery).

What is the SMILE-SP9.6-INV’s DC input voltage range?

CEC tested it at 300–480 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).
NLR (formerly NREL) — PVWatts v8, NSRDB PSM v3 typical-year weather for Los Angeles, Palmdale, Riverside, Santa Clarita, Chula Vista, Huntington Beach.
California Energy Commission — PV Module List (module electrical data for the compatibility check).
Building permits — Southern California permit portals. Equipment matched from permit descriptions.
Cali-Graf calculations — formulas and inputs are shown next to each calculated value (efficiency from area, temperature-corrected voltages, string sizing, energy estimates).