Inverters convert direct current (DC) electricity produced by solar panels into a sinusoidal alternating current (AC) of 220V, which is suitable for most electrical appliances.
The assortment of inverters for solar systems on the market today is huge. Contact us, and we will help you select the necessary device that will optimize your power production.
Why to buy from us:
We have different types of inverters in stock, which allows our clients to choose the suitable device for each specific purpose.
Inverters with single-phase and three-phase alternation current output of 220 and 380 V are readily available in our online store. Three-phase models can be used in homes or industrial sites. The energy conversion efficiency of single-phase inverters is 96.8%, and three-phase inverters is 98.2%.
The power of our inverters is from 1000 W and higher. The equipment can be connected in cascade thus increasing the efficiency of the solar panel system. In some models of the inverters that we offer, there is a function to control energy generation through the Internet. You have the ability to remotely adjust the process of production and consumption of electricity received from solar panels.
String inverters are the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about solar inverters. String here stands for several panels connected together in series. It’s reasonably cheap and highly efficient. Shading is what string inverters fear the most. When one solar panel in the string is overshadowed by a tree or a building, it brings down the performance of other panes as well. You can add power optimizers to each PV module and the drop in production of one of them won’t affect the others.
The other popular type of inverter for solar panels is the central inverter. It functions similarly to a string solar inverter, but bigger and can handle several strings. They are used in commercial solar systems, where a lot of solar power has to be converted. In 2019 string and central inverters together took over 90% of the solar inverters market, claim IHS Markit 2020.
The equipment makes it possible to integrate single solar panels with a capacity of up to 300 watts directly into the electrical grid. It includes a built-in MPPT tracker that tracks the maximum power of the connected solar battery. Thanks to the mini inverter, you can include panels of various types and performance in the system. The number of such mini electric grids is unlimited and can be increased on demand.
SMA America LLC - can be used for both small home solar power stations, with one or several solar panels, and for creating PV systems with a power of several megawatts. They are ideal for panels that run in parallel with a centralized electrical supply grid, as well as for grid-tie and off-grid electrical systems.
Most models have built-in communication modules for data transmission, remote monitoring of the solar system operation, reactive power compensation system for compensating and leveling power system’s distortions, as well as various overcurrent and surge protection devices.
SolarEdge combines sophisticated digital control technology with power conversion technology. They have best-in-class reliability. The fixed voltage technology provides optimal output current, regardless of the number of panels in the system and environmental conditions.
This device combines the patented receiver of the monitoring data of the solar power station operations and accumulates information on the performance and power of each PV module. You can easily detect a malfunction and diagnose it in the electrical system.
If you are not sure which brand of inverter to choose, employees of our company will answer all of your questions related to the solar inverter operation as well as suggest which model of equipment is suitable for your home, depending on your needs.
Solar inverters are very vulnerable and are more likely to break down than anything else in a PV system. The reason for this is the internal complexity of a solar power inverter. It has the widest range of tasks, uses software (which needs updating and occasionally bugs). Inverters usually last for 10-15 years. The lifespan of microinverters, on the other hand, is comparable to the lifespan of a panel itself – 25 years.
Pick a dry cold place for your inverter out of direct sunlight. It is preferable to place it near a battery to shorten the travel distance for electricity. This device needs proper air circulation to function so it’s recommended to leave around 12 inches of free space around it.
Tips for looking after a solar panel inverter include:
Though they are pretty new to residential solar systems, solar batteries have recently become much more popular - particularly with the introduction and subsequent marketing of the Tesla Powerwall. Project Solar does not always recommend batteries, but we do offer them.
As part of a Full Service Installation, we offer the Enphase IQ 5P Batteries or the Tesla Powerwall 2. For DIY projects, we currently only offer the Enphase IQ 5P.
Included with our Enphase battery builds is a System Controller, which enables automatic backup in the event of a grid outage, called "backup configuration".
Without a System Controller, Enphase batteries won't be able to disconnect from the grid, and your system will shut down during outages - called "consumption offset configuration", where your battery will still work to offset your home's electricity consumption (only available with select utility companies).
Tesla Powerwalls will also include a System Controller, and are only available for backup configuration.
Though we do offer them, we don't always recommend batteries. This article will outline the following:
Battery Downsides
The main issue we have with batteries is cost – they’re expensive.
Adding storage to your system will increase the cost of your project, but not the size of your system – this means that they can increase your price per watt significantly.
Our battery pricing is as follows:
Product
DIY Pricing (Before Any Incentives)
Full-Service Install Pricing (Before Any Incentives
First Enphase IQ 5P Battery + 1 System Controller (Backup Configuration)
$6,500
$8,500
Each Additional IQ 5P Battery (Backup Configuration)
$3,500
$4,000
First Enphase IQ 5P Battery (Consumption Offset Configuration)*
$3,500
$4,000
Each Additional IQ 5P Battery (Consumption Offset Configuration)*
$2,500
$3,000
First Tesla Powerwall 2
N/A
$13,500
Each Additional Tesla Powerwall 2
N/A
$9,500
*Only available with select utility companies. Please contact a representative to confirm.
Most battery options are also only warrantied for around 10 years, which is less than half of the
projected life of your solar system.
Tesla follows this trend with a 10 year limited warranty. Enphase’s IQ 5P batteries have a longer warranty: 15 years or 6,000 cycles.
Like other new tech products, residential solar batteries are expected to improve over time – as are their prices and warranties. They will likely be more cost effective in the future.
Battery Upsides
We believe in providing customers with the best ROI possible, and, in some cases, batteries can be a worthwhile investment.
There are generally two main situations where this is the case:
Backup Power
Homes in areas with frequent and/or extended power outages can benefit from a solar battery. In this instance, the battery functions like a backup generator.
If the grid goes down, the system will start sending any excess power into the battery, which your home will draw energy from until grid power is restored (or until the battery is depleted).
Time-of-Use
Some power companies charge more for power used during high-traffic times, or during the evening. Others will have less advantageous net metering or solar buyback rates.
With a battery, extra energy that is produced can be captured for later use, rather than sent back into the grid.
Storing excess energy from earlier in the day can also help reduce energy use during usage times that may be more expensive.
If you opt for an Enphase consumption battery configuration, your battery will only function for this feature, and won't be able to disconnect from the grid during outages (as a System Controller is not included).
Should you fall into one of these categories, batteries may be right for you – otherwise, they may not be as profitable of an investment.
How to Size Your Battery System
Most customers simply decide to install around 5-10kWh of batteries, but if you are concerned with specifics, our Customer Experience Team can help you size a battery system based on your usage patterns and the appliances you wish to back up. The Enphase Estimator can also be a helpful resource in sizing Enphase battery systems.
Affordable Backup Alternatives - Power Bank
The main hangup on batteries is simply their cost--they are expensive, even with our low pricing. To combat this and provide a more accessible option, Project Solar offers the Power Bank Solar Battery Kit.
This kit is also a great option for Full Service Install customers who don't have Enphase batteries available in their area.
The Power Bank is a portable battery that is used separately from your solar system. It can be taken with you wherever you go, or tied into your home's essential loads with a subpanel.
This option is not yet available as part of a solar install, so you will need to purchase it separately from our website.
To charge the Power Bank with solar energy, customers with a solar system can plug it in to a standard AC outlet during high-production times to capture energy and store it for later use. If you don't have a home solar system, we offer optional portable solar panels.
The Power Bank can even be charged from your car in a pinch.
Project Solar offers the Power Bank in two models: 600 & 2000. There are also Expansion Packs available for those wishing to increase their Power Bank 2000's capacity (the Power Bank 600 is not expandable).
Though it cannot provide the same automatic backup and smart-home capabilities as the Enphase battery, the Power Bank is a much less expensive option. With two Expansion Packs, the Power Bank 2000 is able to offer 8.064kWh of storage for less than $5,000.
To learn more about our Power Bank products, check out our Information Guide.
Adding Batteries to Existing Systems
Some homeowners have already installed solar without batteries in the past, and would like to add battery storage to their system now.Project Solar does not tie-in to existing systems unless they were installed through us. This also means that we do not offer independent battery installs for new customers with existing systems.Existing systems are not always compatible with the batteries we use, and it can be difficult, expensive, and even impossible to tie into them.Plus, fiddling with your existing system can affect its warranty.We recommend contacting the company who initially installed your system, an equipment distributor, and/or a local contractor. Alternatively, you could purchase a battery that doesn't have to integrate directly with your solar system, like our Power Bank Home Backup Kit.If the system was installed through us, we will most often be able to tie-in and add an integrated solar battery.