{"id":71,"count":6,"description":"<h2>What is a solar inverter?<\/h2>\r\nSolar energy doesn\u2019t provide electricity in a format that your table lamp could be powered by. Inverters change the power produced by your solar panels into something you can actually use.\r\n\r\nThink of it as a currency exchange for your power. You might have a fistful of yen, but until you stop and exchange it for USD, you can\u2019t pay for lunch stateside.\r\n\r\nYour home is wired to conduct alternating current (AC) power. The electricity produced by solar panels is initially a direct current (DC). Inverters change the raw DC power into AC power so your lamp can use it to light up the room.\r\n\r\nInverters are incredibly important pieces of equipment in a rooftop solar system. There are three options available: string inverters, microinverters, and power optimizers.\r\n\r\n[pnpZip background=true border=true primary_color=\"#8b72d3\" content_texts=true utm_campaign=\"get_started_injectable\" utm_medium=\"inverters\" upper_text= \"Compare quotes from multiple\" upper_text_span = \"trusted installers\" lower_text= \"See your savings potential\" lower_text_span = \"with solar\" get_started_text = \"Get started\"]\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eekosGR8XHQ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.solar.com\/learn\/best-solar-inverters-for-homeowners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">See our list of the best inverters on the market today.<\/a>\r\n<h2>Solar Inverter Types, Pros and Cons<\/h2>\r\n<h3>String Inverters<\/h3>\r\nString inverters have one centralized inverter \u2014 or, keeping with the metaphor \u2014 one central currency exchange station.\r\n\r\nThis is a standard inverter, and it works just fine if you don\u2019t have any encroaching shade from nearby trees or a big chimney. It\u2019s also great if you have all of your solar panels facing the same direction.\r\n\r\nString inverters are standard in the industry, and they're the least expensive.\r\n<h4>String inverter pros:<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Lowest cost<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Standard inverter<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Performs well with no shade<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>String inverter cons:<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Overall production decreases if one panel is damaged or shaded<\/li>\r\n \t<li>No ability to monitor each panel individually<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Not optimal if your solar panels are facing different ways<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Increasing power needs are more difficult and may require second central inverter installation<img class=\"aligncenter size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.solar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/micro-inverter-vs-string-inverter.png\" width=\"3542\" height=\"1750\" \/><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Microinverters<\/h3>\r\nMicroinverters are small units built into each individual solar panel that convert power. Think of it as having mini currency exchange stations on every nearby street corner.\r\n\r\nThis gives each panel the ability to function at peak performance, independent from its neighbors. Even if the panel next to it has a tree branch shading it for most of the day, all the other panels can convert at full capacity. Any drop in efficiency only affects one panel.\r\n\r\nMicroinverters also enable you to monitor the performance of each individual panel. This is helpful for spotting any issues with a single panel so you can have it repaired before it slows down the whole system\u2019s productivity.\r\n\r\nThis type of inverter can be more expensive than string inverters, but it can pay off over time by getting more power from your system overall.\r\n\r\nMicroinverters also make it easy to increase power usage if you want to. Say you buy an electric car and you\u2019ll need more power to charge it every night. Adding more solar panels and inverters is easier and less expensive than adding an additional central inverter for a string inverter system.\r\n\r\nRead more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solar.com\/learn\/micro-inverter-string-inverter-comparison-solar-equipment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">string inverters vs microinverters here<\/a>.\r\n<h4>Microinverter pros:<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Shade from a nearby tree won\u2019t reduce the whole solar panel system power output<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Individual panel monitoring available<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Increasing power needs are easier and less expensive than installing a second central inverter<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Good for rooftops where solar panels may face different directions<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>Microinverter cons:<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Higher initial cost<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Not necessary if all panels face the same way and are not shaded<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Power Optimizers<\/h3>\r\nPower optimizers are somewhere in between string inverters and micro-inverters both in how they function and in price.\r\n\r\nAs with micro-inverters, power optimizers have a component (the \"optimizer\") underneath and within each solar panel. But rather than change the DC to AC right there on site, these inverters optimize the current before sending it to one central inverter.\r\n\r\nThis is more efficient than a string inverter, as any sluggish production from one panel doesn\u2019t slow the whole system, but more cost-efficient than a standard micro-inverter setup.\r\n\r\nImagine being able to cut to the front of the line at the currency exchange office. It\u2019s not quite as quick or convenient as having your own exchange office a few steps from your home, but there\u2019s no waiting around once you get to the central office.\r\n\r\nMicro-inverters and power optimizers are gaining popularity and prices are dropping as the technology advances.\r\n\r\nWe have more details on power optimizers in this post.\r\n<h4>Power optimizer pros:<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>More efficient than string inverters<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Less expensive than micro-inverters<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Individual panel monitoring available<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>Power optimizer cons:<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Higher initial cost<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Not necessary if all panels face the same way and are not shaded<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nUltimately, best inverter for you depends on your roof shape and size, nearby trees, how much energy you need, and your budget.\r\n<h2>What to Look for in a Solar Inverter<\/h2>\r\nTo recap, there are three kinds of inverters: string inverters, microinverters, and power optimizers.\r\n\r\nThey all transform the power your solar panels generate from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). This makes the energy usable for your home.\r\n\r\nHere are a few things to look for when shopping for inverters...\r\n<h3>Solar Inverter Warranties<\/h3>\r\nMost people feel more comfortable purchasing electronic devices with warranties. Solar inverters are no exception. Most inverters have warranties ranging from anywhere between 5 and 10 years, though some can be extended to 25 years.\r\n\r\nWhen you\u2019re looking at a company, make sure you know what\u2019s included in the warranty and what\u2019s not. For example, some power optimizers might not include the central inverter under the warranty.\r\n\r\nAlso, make sure you understand the terms of a warranty. Is the device covered in case of an internal glitch as well as in the case of external damage? Will you be charged for labor or shipping if you have to send parts in? These are all important questions to ask.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffffff\">*<\/span>\r\n\r\n[pnpZip background=true border=true primary_color=\"#8B72D3\" content_texts=true utm_campaign=\"get_started_injectable\" utm_medium=\"Solar Inverters: Types, Pros and Cons\" upper_text= \"Find the right inverter\" upper_text_span = \"for you\" lower_text= \"See how much solar could lower your\" lower_text_span = \"energy costs\" get_started_text = \"Get started\"]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ffffff\">*<\/span>\r\n<h3>Solar Inverter Operating Temperatures<\/h3>\r\nAs with most electronic equipment, inverters operate best when they\u2019re running cool. Operating temperature is the safest temperature range an inverter maintains.\r\n\r\nInverters will naturally generate some heat themselves as they do their job. Since they\u2019re typically in an uncontrollable environment outdoors, they\u2019re exposed to a wide range of temperature fluctuations.\r\n\r\nObviously, conditions aren\u2019t always ideal, and sometimes an inverter will have to work harder than others. The higher the operating temperature (the more heat it can handle), the better.\r\n<h3>Solar Inverter Efficiency<\/h3>\r\nThere are two numbers to look for in solar inverter efficiency: peak efficiency and weighted efficiency.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peak efficiency<\/strong> will give you the efficiency of your inverter when it\u2019s running optimally. It\u2019s good to know what the best-case scenario is, but it\u2019s also worth noting that it won\u2019t always be hitting that level. Some days it might only reach peak efficiency for an hour or two, or maybe not at all.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weighted efficiency<\/strong> figures in the variables like DC input levels. This gives a more accurate gauge as sunshine, temperature, and other environmental elements affect inverter efficiency throughout the day.\r\n<h2>Solar Inverter Key Terms to Know<\/h2>\r\n<h3><strong>Clipping\/Scalping<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThis is the term used to describe the energy output that is lost due to undersizing an inverter.\r\n\r\nAny given inverter has a maximum power rating (at the residential level, measured in W or kW). When solar supplies DC power in excess of that inverter\u2019s maximum power rating (what the inverter can handle), the resulting power is \u201cclipped.\u201d Think of it like a 14-foot-tall truck trying to go under a 13-foot bridge -- a little comes off the top.\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s important to consider the solar panel arrays\u2019 maximum power output and select an inverter with the correct size, model, and type in order to avoid excessive clipping.\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s normal for the DC system size to be about 1.2x greater than the inverter system\u2019s max AC power rating. For example, a 12 kW solar PV array paired with a 10 kW inverter is said to have a DC:AC ratio -- or \u201cInverter Load Ratio\u201d -- of 1.2.\r\n\r\nWhen you take into account real-world, site-specific conditions that affect power output, it may make sense to size the solar array a bit larger than the inverter\u2019s max power rating, as there may be very few \u201cpower-limiting days,\u201d or instances of clipping for that system.\r\n<h3><strong>Inverter Efficiency<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nInverter efficiency is a percentage that tells us how much DC power input to an inverter comes out as usable AC power.\r\n\r\nNo inverter is 100% efficient, although some come close in favorable conditions. In the conversion from DC to AC, power is lost in the form of heat.\r\n\r\nWhile inverter efficiency is an important factor to consider in the selection process, there are other factors to consider that also affect a project\u2019s economics, such as warranty, price, expected life, serviceability, and monitoring functions.\r\n<h3><strong>Maximum Power<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nMaximum power is the highest amount of power allowed to feed into an inverter, which is a function of the inverter\u2019s specifications or the maximum power a solar panel can produce. This will occur at the optimal trade-off between voltage and current along a given panel\u2019s I-V (current and voltage) curve.\r\n<h3><strong>Maximum Power Point (MPP)<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nA solar system\u2019s maximum power output will vary with conditions, such as how much sunlight it receives, temperature, and other factors. A fixed-tilt, stationary, roof or ground-mounted solar PV system might only produce its maximum rated power during a limited period of the day. Every specific solar cell has its own unique I-V curve, which relates its maximum power output to variations in current (I) and voltage (V).\r\n<h3><strong>Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT)<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nA device that periodically tracks characteristics of a given panel, string of panels, or system, and optimizes and varies voltage and amperage accordingly in order to produce maximum power.\r\n<h3><strong>Microinverter<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nA device that converts direct current (DC) produced by a single solar panel into alternating current (AC).\r\n\r\nMicro-inverters are commonly connected to and installed at the site of, or behind, each individual solar panel in an array. Most micro-inverter makes are installed in the field, while some come panel-integrated by the manufacturer.\r\n\r\nPopular brands of micro-inverters include: Enphase, Chilicon, APS, ABB, SMA, and SunPower.\r\n<h3><strong>Optimizer<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nA DC-DC converter, optimizer, or \u201cpanel optimizer,\u201d is a module-level power electronic device that increases the solar system\u2019s energy output by constantly measuring the MPPT of each individual panel.\r\n\r\nThe panel optimizers relay performance characteristics via a monitoring system to facilitate operations and any necessary maintenance. In essence, optimizers support flexible system designs and arrangements \u2013 with multiple panel orientations, tilts, azimuths, and module types in a given string.\r\n\r\nBecause optimizers are a DC-DC, or DC-coupled, systems using this technology will generally be compatible with DC-coupled energy storage or battery backup solutions, like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solar.com\/learn\/teslas-powerwall-a-viable-home-energy-storage-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tesla Powerwall<\/a>.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most advantageous benefit of using a DC optimizer is panel-level MPPT, or max-power point tracking. The result is increased energy harvest from a panel system, especially when subject to periodic or sweeping shade.\r\n<h3><strong>Peak Power Point<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nAnother term for Maximum Power Point (MPP).\r\n<h3><strong>String Inverter<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe device that converts direct current (DC) electricity produced by groups of solar panels (called strings), into usable alternating current (AC) electricity.\r\n\r\nString inverters are considered a \u201cmature\u201d solar technology that has proved effective, safe, and reliable. Residential, 240V AC string inverters usually carry manufacturers\u2019 warranties of about 10 years.\r\n\r\nWhen installed to a manufacturer\u2019s specifications, code, and best practices, a string inverter may require service or ultimately replacement during a photovoltaic system\u2019s lifespan.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.solar.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Team up with a solar.com Energy Advisor<\/a> to understand what is covered by your solar system\u2019s workmanship warranty, as well as the inverter manufacturer\u2019s warranty. Depending on what one\u2019s goals, budget, and preferences are, string inverters can be a great option for your solar PV system.","link":"https:\/\/www.solar.com\/learn\/solar-inverter\/","name":"Solar Inverters: Types, Pros and Cons","slug":"solar-inverter","taxonomy":"category","parent":3,"meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v19.5 (Yoast SEO v19.10) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Solar Inverters: Types, Pros and Cons | Solar.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Solar inverters change the power produced by your solar panels into something you can actually use. 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