---
title: "Fronius Primo 12.5-1 vs Fronius Symo 12.5-3 480 - Inverter Comparison | ComparePV"
description: "Compare Fronius Primo 12.5-1 vs Fronius Symo 12.5-3 480 side by side: what actually differs, efficiency, MPP trackers, battery input and the full specification."
source: "https://comparepv.com/compare-inverters/fronius-international-fronius-primo-12-5-1/fronius-international-fronius-symo-12-5-3-480"
updated: 2026-01-16
---

# Fronius Primo 12.5-1 vs Fronius Symo 12.5-3 480

Symo 12.5-3 480 leads on the differences that matter

The largest is max efficiency: 1.4 pp more efficient. 13 of 19 comparable parameters are identical, with 13 more left out because at least one datasheet does not publish them.


## The two inverters


| Attribute | A | B |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Inverter | [Fronius Primo 12.5-1](https://comparepv.com/inverter/fronius-international-fronius-primo-12-5-1) | [Fronius Symo 12.5-3 480](https://comparepv.com/inverter/fronius-international-fronius-symo-12-5-3-480) |
| Manufacturer | Fronius International | Fronius International |
| Rated AC power | 12.5 kW | 12.495 kW |
| Type | Grid-tie | Grid-tie |


## Where they differ

Ranked by how much the difference matters, not by datasheet order.


| Parameter | Primo 12.5-1 | Symo 12.5-3 480 | Difference |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max efficiency | 96.7 % | 98.1 % | +1.4 pp for Symo 12.5-3 480 |
| Weight | 37.4 kg | 35.5 kg | -1.9 kg for Symo 12.5-3 480 |
| CEC efficiency | 96.5 % | 97.0 % | +0.5 pp for Symo 12.5-3 480 |
| Grid connection | Single-phase | 3-phase | Single-phase vs 3-phase |
| Max AC current | 52.1 A | 15.0 A | 37.1 A apart |
| Start voltage | 80 V | 200 V | -120 V for Primo 12.5-1 |


## Every compared parameter


| Parameter | Primo 12.5-1 | Symo 12.5-3 480 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rated AC power | 12.50 kW | 12.49 kW |
| Max AC power | 12.50 kW | 12.49 kW |
| Grid connection | Single-phase | 3-phase |
| Nominal AC voltage | 240 V | - |
| Max AC current | 52.1 A | 15.0 A |
| Max PV power | - | - |
| DC/AC ratio | - | - |
| Max DC voltage | 1000 V | 1000 V |
| MPPT voltage range | 200-800 V | - |
| Start voltage | 80 V | 200 V |
| MPP trackers | 2 | - |
| Strings per tracker | - | - |
| Max input current per tracker | 33.0 A | - |
| European efficiency | - | - |
| Max efficiency | 96.7 % | 98.1 % |
| CEC efficiency | 96.5 % | 97.0 % |
| Battery input | - | - |
| Battery voltage | - | - |
| Max charge current | - | - |
| Backup power | - | - |
| Weight | 37.4 kg | 35.5 kg |
| Weight per kW | 3.0 kg/kW | 2.8 kg/kW |
| Dimensions | 724x511x226 mm | 724x511x226 mm |
| Ingress protection | NEMA 4X | NEMA 4X |
| Cooling | forced-air | forced-air |
| Noise | - | - |
| Max operating temperature | 60 °C | 60 °C |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes |
| Arc fault protection | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated DC switch | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |


## Related comparisons

- [Fronius Primo 12.5-1 vs SolarEdge SE12.5K](https://comparepv.com/compare-inverters/fronius-international-fronius-primo-12-5-1/solaredge-se12-5k) - 9 differences, the largest is warranty
- [Fronius Primo 12.5-1 vs SolarEdge SE12.5K (Three Phase)](https://comparepv.com/compare-inverters/fronius-international-fronius-primo-12-5-1/solaredge-solaredge-se12-5k-three-phase) - 8 differences, the largest is max efficiency
- [Fronius Primo 12.5-1 vs Fronius International Symo Advanced 12.5-3-M](https://comparepv.com/compare-inverters/fronius-international-fronius-primo-12-5-1/fronius-international-symo-advanced-12-5-3-m) - 8 differences, the largest is max efficiency


---

Source: https://comparepv.com/compare-inverters/fronius-international-fronius-primo-12-5-1/fronius-international-fronius-symo-12-5-3-480

Not in this file, on the page: a written summary generated on request.