When deciding to go solar, choosing the right equipment for the job is crucial. The most important piece of solar equipment are the solar panels, as these will be producing your power. However, the next more important piece of equipment is the solar inverter. Not many homeowners know about solar inverters or what their role is in a solar panel system. What are solar inverters? How do they work? What are the different types of solar inverters?
Let’s break it down for you.
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What many homeowners don’t know is that solar panels produce a form of electricity that most homes cannot use. This electricity is direct current (DC) electricity. The form of electricity almost all homes use is alternating current (AC) electricity.
But how does DC electricity produced by solar panels get converted into AC electricity?
This is where solar inverters come into play.
Solar Inverters have the task of turning all the electricity produced by solar panels into usable power. It does this by converting the direct current, which flows in one direction, into alternating current, which flows back and forth very rapidly.
This AC current is then sent through your electric/fuse/breaker box and can be used by all electrical appliances and fixtures within your home.
There are three types of solar inverters available to homeowners. These types are string (or central) inverters, power optimizers + inverter, and microinverters.
Each different type of solar inverter has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to understand these differences, as well as the pros and cons of each solar inverter type, before choosing which is right for your solar panel system.
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String inverters, also known as central inverters, are the oldest and most common type of solar inverter used today. They work by connecting a string of solar panels to one single inverter, which converts the total DC input into AC output.
Pros: Because string inverters are the oldest type of solar inverters, they are also the most reliable. After decades of being on the market, string inverters have had most of the kinks worked out. They are also the least expensive solar inverter option.
String inverters are also centrally located on the side of your house or near the side of a ground-mount. This allows easier access to monitor, repair, or replace the inverter.
Cons: While string inverters are reliable, they are also less efficient at optimizing solar energy output. Because string inverters are connected to an entire string of solar panels, shading on one solar panel will cut the power output of the entire string.
Also, string inverters only offer total-system monitoring as opposed to panel-level monitoring. This can be a disadvantage when diagnosing issues with solar production, and it can also be unfortunate for those solar homeowners who want a more granular level of monitoring.
Power optimizers are located on the back of each solar panel, and they work in conjunction with a string inverter to convert DC to AC. They do this by conditioning the DC electricity from each panel and sending that conditioned DC to the string inverter to convert to AC electricity.
Pros: Because power optimizers can condition the DC electricity produced by each individual solar panel, they can decrease the impact of shading on individual panels. If one solar panel is partially shaded, it will not degrade the output of the entire string as with a simple string inverter setup.
Power optimizers also have the benefit of allowing panel-level monitoring, along with system-level monitoring thanks to the string inverter. This means any issues with solar output can be diagnosed more easily, with each solar panel being monitored individually. It also allows the homeowner to see a more detailed level of monitoring.
Cons: Power optimizers are more expensive than using just a string inverter, but they are still less expensive than microinverters.
Power optimizer systems also require additional power optimizers and potentially additional string inverters if you expand your solar panel system in the future.
It is also important to note that because power optimizers are located on the roof, it is more difficult to repair and replace them if they would happen to have any issues.
The final type of solar inverter is the microinverter. Microinverters are the latest in solar inverter technology, and they work by converting DC to AC directly from the back of each solar panel. No string inverter is needed because each microinverter takes care of DC conversion on the spot.
Pros: Because each microinverter is handling the conversion from DC to AC on each panel, that allows the system to be minimally impacted by shading on individual panels. If shade covers one panel, only that panel will produce less power output as opposed to the whole system output decreasing, as in a string inverter setup.
Microinverters are also easy to expand with your solar system in the future. Any solar panel that is added to the system just needs to have a microinverter installed on the back of the panel.
Similar to power optimizers, microinverters also allow for panel-level monitoring of the solar system, allowing any solar output issues to be diagnosed more easily and accurately.
Cons: Microinverters are the most expensive of the solar inverter options. However, their benefits can easily outweigh the costs in certain situations, especially if shading is an issue.
And because microinverters are installed on the back of each solar panel, it is more difficult to repair or replace any microinverter that might have issues.
Depending on your situation, one type of solar panel might be better for you than another. If you are looking for a wallet-friendly solar inverter, a string inverter might be a good option. However, if you have the potential for shading on your solar panels, power optimizers or microinverters might be a better option.
Contact Green Ridge Solar today to find out which solar inverter is right for you. Our solar experts can explain all the pros and cons, as well as provide a free solar analysis.
Solar energy is abundant and infinitely renewable, but without the right types of solar inverters, the energy isn’t really usable. Solar inverters convert the direct current (DC) power generated by your solar panels into alternating current (AC) that’s compatible with the electrical grid and most modern equipment (like lights, appliances, computers).
Over the last decade, the cost of investing in solar fell 80%. On top of that, you can see huge energy savings from the moment you have your system installed. But before you start getting solar quotes for your setup, it’s crucial to know how to read the solar specifications and understand which type of equipment will offer the most benefits for your situation.
There are many different types of solar inverters available on the market today. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. So what are the differences between each type of solar inverter, and which one should you choose for your installation?
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There are four basic types of inverter setups used in solar power systems. While most of them are designed for use with the power grid, some of them can be adapted for off-grid use, such as powering RVs or remote Cabins.
1. String Inverters
String inverters are the standard for most residential systems. They work by connecting multiple solar panels into an array and sending the power to a centralized inverter for DC to AC conversion that’s compatible with the grid.
String inverters are affordable and efficient. A single inverter can connect to up to 24 panels, and maintenance is easier because there are fewer working parts. However, because each individual panel is wired together, they essentially operate as a single unit. That means problems that reduce the power output of one panel will reduce the efficiency of every panel in the series.
Microinverters perform AC power conversion on all the individual panels. This means the efficiency of one panel won’t affect the others. Microinverters also offer panel level monitoring so you can determine when you need maintenance to get the most value out of your system.
Systems with microinverters are ideal for installations where some panels may see shade for part of the day.
That said, their sophistication makes them more expensive than string inverters, and sometimes they can require more maintenance because there are more points of failure. However, it’s much easier to increase your system’s output later by installing more panels compared to a string inverter, so you can make the conversion to solar over time as you can afford it.
3. Power Optimizers
Power optimizers are module-level power electronics meant to help your solar panels perform at maximum efficiency for as long as possible. How long? Microinverters and power optimizers are both installed on individual solar panels, but with a power optimizer, the conversion still happens at a centralized inverter.
Power optimizers combine the cost and reliability of string inverters with the efficiency boost and panel monitoring of a microinverter system. You can save money on installation compared to microinverters but, like a standard string inverter system, it can be harder to expand later on.
4. Hybrid Inverters
Hybrid inverters combine several types of solar technology into a smaller, more affordable unit. They are designed to read the current levels and determine whether or not to convert power for use with appliances, send it to the grid, or use it to charge a backup battery system so you can power your critical appliances during blackouts.
Many of them are highly programmable, allowing you to choose the best times to run power from the grid, your solar panels, or the backup battery (if you have one).
Hybrid inverters are the ideal choice for systems where you want to use backup battery storage, such as the Tesla Powerwall. They also work well for off-grid installations.
Unlike standard solar inverters, which convert current from DC to AC and then back into DC to charge the battery, hybrid inverters can feed DC power directly into the battery, making them more efficient.
Which of the four types of solar inverters is ideal for your setup will depend on your budget, the amount of space you have, and the location of your system. You’ll also want to size your system to meet your electricity use during peak demand to get the best value on your investment.
At Airis Energy, we’ve offered green solutions for residential and commercial customers since 1996. We can help you select which of the solar panel inverter types to use for your home or business. We can work with you to find the best system for your needs, and get it installed for no money down.
After installation, you can see up to 100% savings on electricity from day one. Our payment plan adjusts the cost each month based on your energy production, meaning you’ll only pay for what you use. That means if you can afford to pay your electricity bill each month, you can afford to go solar.
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