What Is a Solar Inverter?

The solar inverter is a key component in any residential or commercial solar system. It changes the direct current electricity from solar panels into alternating current (AC).

AC energy is what most homes and appliances use. If you produce more power than you consume, your inverter can feed the excess back into the grid — depending on where you live.

Power Optimizers

A power optimizer is an DC-to-DC converter technology that enables solar panel owners to maximize energy production by monitoring the performance of individual panels. It improves the power output of a solar energy system through maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and by providing additional benefits like shading detection.

Power optimizers are also easy to install and require little maintenance, making them an excellent choice for homeowners looking to save money on electricity costs while protecting the environment. They also provide a number of valuable data points at the module level, allowing owners to monitor their systems remotely and gain a deeper understanding of how they perform.

Many PV installers recommend using a solar panel with a power optimizer as part of any comprehensive roofing installation. They offer an extra layer of protection that helps avoid potential electrical problems caused by rooftop mechanical damage and inclement weather conditions. They can also detect faults and automatically bypass damaged modules, and their monitoring capabilities help system owners analyze historical and present data to make informed decisions about future energy production.

However, while power optimizers are great for mitigating module mismatch loss, they do not always improve a system’s overall efficiency. In fact, a study found that the internal power consumption of power optimizers bucking and boosting voltage all day outweighs any potential energy yield gains.

Microinverters

Microinverters are affixed to the Solar Inverter back of each solar panel. They maximize each panel’s output independent of the panels around it, making them a smart choice for homes with shading or snow issues that might reduce the overall system production capacity.

They also allow you to add solar panels later without needing to upgrade the central inverter. This makes them a good choice for customers who have plans to expand their solar energy systems in the future.

With a standard string inverter, a single point of failure can shut down your entire solar array. With a microinverter, however, each panel keeps producing even if one malfunctions. This means you don’t have to wait for a repair technician to arrive on-site to fix the problem.

Another great benefit of using microinverters is that they track performance on a per-panel basis and can detect problems at the module level. This provides a much better payback for your initial investment than a traditional string inverter. In addition, the use of ac wiring and connectors instead of dc reduces installation costs. It also allows for a lower dc voltage, which reduces risks of arcing and other potential safety hazards. This provides a safer system for you and your family to enjoy. [38]

MPPT Circuits

REDARC MPPT circuits, or Maximum Power Point Tracking circuits are used to maximize the energy that your solar panels can harvest from the sun. They do this by continuously tracking and adjusting the operating point of your solar panel when it is producing its most power.

Solar panels produce electricity when illuminated by the sun’s rays but their productivity is reliant on several factors including temperature, angle of exposure, and cloud cover. MPPT technology is able to find the peak of your solar panel’s current and voltage output – this is known as the Maximum Power Point (MPP).

An MPPT circuit constantly calculates this point using the simple proportional relationship between the module open circuit voltage and the instantaneous MPPT current. This information is then used to regulate the voltage, current and frequency of your panels to extract the most energy from them.

Some of the simpler MPPT circuits use a relay to switch between high and low power states. The type of relay will have to be carefully chosen so that the contacts can open wide enough and quickly enough to avoid contact arcing and destroying the microcontroller board. Other methods use a digital potentiometer. This has the added benefit of not requiring any moving parts which is important for long wire runs, as the voltage drop and power loss can be significant over such distances.

Hybrid Inverters

When sunlight shines on a solar panel, it creates DC (direct current) electricity. DC power is great for running devices, but it can’t be used to feed into your home’s power grid. The answer lies in hybrid solar inverters, which make it possible for customers to harness the power of the sun for both energy storage and grid integration.

Hybrid inverters integrate both a solar inverter and a battery inverter in one device. They convert DC to AC power for use in your home, as well as storing the excess in a battery. They are available in both grid-tied and off-grid models.

The core of a hybrid inverter is the DC-to-AC converter. This component turns DC into alternating current using a process known as pulse width modulation. The inverter also solar panel off grid system uses a maximum power point tracker to optimize solar panel output and charge the batteries.

Grid-tied hybrid inverters allow for a seamless merger between your renewable energy system and the grid, allowing you to sell any surplus electricity back to the grid. They also provide a backup source of power during peak demand or inclement weather.

A hybrid inverter can operate in grid-tied mode and battery backup mode simultaneously. They are compatible with energy storage systems and can automatically switch to backup mode during a blackout or other power outage.