Overview
Solar power inverter is the behind the scenes hero of solar panel systems, capable of converting solar energy into usable electrical energy.
Here are some popular inverters for you.
Every solar panel system needs to be equipped with a solar inverter, and we compared the specifications, warranty, price, etc. of the most popular solar inverters. GycxSolar has many inverter manufacturers who cooperate with inverters, which are the preferred consideration for customers.
We can obtain the most efficient inverter information from our cooperative customer inquiries and feedback. This means that by reading this article, you will be able to understand the market for inverters and better determine your needs – what kind of solar inverters you need.
Using more energy generated by solar panels – more efficient energy conversion, less waste means you will have more electricity for your home. GycxSolar also has strong warranty effectiveness and highly rated customer feedback.
Table of Contents
What is a solar power inverter?
Solar power inverter is a key component in solar power generation systems, which converts the direct current (DC) generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) that can be used by household appliances. Although inverters are often overlooked in household solar panel systems, their importance cannot be underestimated. Without inverters, the energy generated by solar panels cannot be used by household devices.
How does a solar inverter work?
Inverter is a box installed on the wall or sometimes on the roof, which receives the DC electricity generated by PV panels and converts it into 120V/240V AC output. It is usually the most complex component in solar photovoltaic systems, and unfortunately, it is also the most prone to failure.
Home appliances use alternating current instead of direct current, so solar inverters must change the direct current output collected by solar panels.
So we can say that solar power inverters are definitely needed for household electricity.
A more professional statement is that the sun shines on solar panels (or photovoltaic (PV) cells), which are made of semiconductor layers of crystalline silicon or gallium arsenide. These layers consist of a positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer, connected by connection points.
When the sun shines, the semiconductor layer absorbs light and sends energy to the photovoltaic cell. This energy flows around, electrons are lost, and they move between two levels, producing a current called direct current (DC).
Once this energy is generated, it is either stored in the battery for later use or directly sent to the inverter (depending on the system type chosen by the user).
The inverter obtains electrical energy and converts it through a transformer to output alternating current.
The inverter operates DC power through two or more transistors, which turn on and off at lightning fast speeds and supply power to the two different sides of the transformer.
Types of Solar Power Inverter
Now that you understand the definition and working principle of solar inverters, let’s explore different types of inverters together. Solar inverters are mainly divided into five types, each with its unique advantages and limitations.
1. String inverters ——the choice of most households
One of the most common types of inverters is the primary choice for most households. They are called “series” because multiple solar panels are connected in series to an inverter.
In home solar systems, each solar system typically uses a series inverter, which plays an important role. These inverters are usually installed on the exterior walls of houses, near the location of the household’s power distribution panel.
Pros
- Providing a comprehensive solar panel system design is basically the most common choice on the market.
- Usually the lowest cost inverter option.
Cons
- If the solar panels are obstructed or dirty, the entire string of solar panels may experience insufficient output power. However, in recent years, the technology of solar panels and inverters has been continuously improved. Recent tests have shown that the power loss risk of solar panels and string inverters is much lower than before. Even with partial obstruction, other solar panels can still continue to work and maintain the use of sunlight energy.
- Most string inverter systems are designed to maximize the performance of the inverter, and it is often difficult to expand the system by adding more solar panels. Of course, if necessary, a new type of string solar panel with an independent inverter can be added.
- There is a risk of arcing or even fire caused by high-voltage direct current connections (from the panel to the inverter). The likelihood of risk occurrence is relatively low, but GycxSolar still recommends selecting high-quality components and qualified installers, while regularly conducting system maintenance to ensure safety.
Brand examples: Fronius, Goodwe inverters, Huawei SolarEdge, Sungrow.
2.Hybrid inverters —— a single device that connects the panel and battery
Hybrid inverters, also known as “multi-mode inverters,” provide an efficient way to configure solar energy systems. This inverter allows users to directly integrate batteries into solar energy systems through a technology called “DC coupling”.
The intelligent device of the hybrid inverter is responsible for monitoring and controlling the charging and discharging process of the battery, ensuring that the battery operates in its optimal state while extending its service life.
Pros
- It provides higher system flexibility and energy management capabilities, enabling users to more effectively utilize solar power generation and optimize the use of energy storage systems.
- With the advancement of technology and the growth of market demand, hybrid inverters are expected to become an increasingly popular choice in solar system design.
- The string inverter has the additional function of connecting the battery to the solar system and can continue to operate during power outages.
Cons
Hybrid inverters may be more expensive than conventional string inverters, but recently the prices of hybrid models have started to align with conventional inverters.
3. Microinverters ——The ultimate way to save space
As the name suggests, micro inverters are very small, about the size of a book. One of its advantages is that each solar panel can be individually optimized to provide more energy, especially under cool conditions. Each panel can have its own micro inverter. In this way, micro inverters provide an efficient, flexible, and customizable solar energy system solution, particularly suitable for users who pursue high cost-effectiveness and want to maximize solar energy output and system performance.
Size advantage : Micro inverters have a small volume, making them easy to install and maintain.
Independent optimization: Each micro inverter can work independently to optimize the performance of its own solar panel, which is particularly beneficial in partially obstructed or shaded conditions as they can improve the overall energy output of the system.
Micro inverters provide AC power, so there is no risk of arcing or fire caused by DC connections.
Due to the special installation location, such as on each solar panel attached to the roof, they are more easily exposed to various weather conditions. Although this design helps improve the energy output efficiency of the system, it also means that they may face more environmental challenges.
If any unit in the micro inverter malfunctions, technicians need to climb onto the roof for inspection and repair. This increases the difficulty and risk of maintenance, as well as higher maintenance costs. So when choosing a micro inverter, in addition to considering its performance advantages, the feasibility and cost of long-term maintenance should also be taken into account.
4. Battery inverters ——Connect lifepo4 solar battery to existing solar energy systems
The function of a battery inverter is to convert stored battery energy into AC power for household circuits. If you plan to integrate battery energy storage into your existing solar system and are satisfied with the current inverter, and now want to add a battery, you can connect the battery through this type of dedicated battery inverter instead of replacing the inverter with another model.
Battery inverters can intelligently prioritize feeding converted electrical energy into your home distribution panel instead of directly entering the grid, thereby optimizing energy use and saving costs.Some batteries, such as the Tesla Powerwall 2, adopt an “integrated” design with built-in AC battery inverters. If there is a micro inverter on the solar panel and a battery needs to be added, either a battery inverter is required or an “integrated” battery is chosen.
5. Power optimisers ——Another option
The power optimizer is not an inverter, but can be installed in systems with panel strings and string inverters, mainly targeting solar panels that are prone to shading and reduce efficiency.
They have similar effects to micro inverters, but typically have lower installation costs than complete micro inverters. It is generally recommended to install integrated inverters of the same brand, such as SolarEdge and Growatt, which also allow software monitoring of the entire system.
The installer will recommend installing the optimizer only on the panels that are truly needed, which are the most susceptible to shading – this is an economically effective way to improve system performance.
There is also a type of Central Inverter that has a large volume and is used in systems that require hundreds of kilowatts or even megawatts of capacity. So they are not suitable for residential use, they are usually used for commercial large-scale installations or for utility scale solar power plants.
Brand examples: SolarEdge, Growatt, Huawei
How to choose the best solar inverter for you
1.Determine the size of your solar system
This requires determining your required energy and the size of the roof or solar panel space requirements. Simultaneously calculate the total wattage consumed to determine the size of the required inverters and other equipment.
2. Consider the functions you need
Different inverter kits provide different functions, such as monitoring and backup power supply. It is important for you to consider the required features so that you can obtain more accurate solutions that meet the conditions when consulting, and then choose an inverter kit that provides these features.
String inverters are the most common and cost-effective inverters, while micro inverters and power optimizers allow each solar panel to operate independently, which can improve overall system efficiency, but they are also more expensive. You also need to consider choosing some features between them.
3. Check compatibility
Ensure that the selected solar power inverter is compatible with your solar panels and complies with local regulations and safety standards in your location.
At the same time, the choice of stacked lithium batteries, wall mounted lithium batteries, etc. also needs to consider whether they can be compatible for normal use. For household use, the voltage range of 48V lithium batteries or 51.2V lithium-ion batteries is generally used, which is also a reference condition.
4. Price and Warranty
This is something that every user is concerned about when purchasing a product. Compare the prices and warranty periods of different solar power inverters offered by several product manufacturers in your chosen solution, and find the most cost-effective solar power inverter that fits your budget. If you don’t know what to prioritize, you can consult professional solar service provider GycxSolar to ensure that you choose the appropriate inverter for your product and ensure safe and correct installation.
Brand examples
Here are a few recommended solar power inverters, including both established giants and rising stars. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised after reading it.
1. Growatt inverters
Growatt inverters are renowned for their powerful performance and durability. Their design can withstand extreme environmental conditions and ensure efficient energy conversion even in fluctuating weather patterns.
2.GoodWe Inverters
Goodwe inverters have become a strong choice in the market due to their excellent efficiency and reliability, and are also an excellent choice for customers seeking to invest in solar energy. Its unique self diagnostic ability ensures an excellent high score rating of 97% to 99%, which is quite surprising.
Goodwe inverters can easily meet industry standards and achieve high quality and efficiency even under challenging conditions.
3.Huawei Inverters
Huawei is a technology company with a long history, known for producing reliable and high-quality products. Huawei’s string inverters can provide extremely high conversion efficiency, and Huawei’s leading 5G technology is also a technology point that cannot be ignored. We believe that when it is applied in it, it will have unique highlights that current inverter brands cannot show.
4.Megarevo inverters
Megarevo hybrid inverters are renowned for providing high-quality inverters with outstanding performance.
It can be seen here that many brands, in order to ensure the comprehensiveness of their commercial products, will engage in the manufacturing of various types of inverters. However, based on different technologies and innovation points, each brand’s products will have their own strengths in solar power inverter types.
5.INVT inverter
INVT inverter is an outstanding product with high cost-effectiveness, and it can be considered appropriately for small-scale investments.
6. Deye Inverters
Deye Inverters are also known for their high efficiency, typically maintaining a stable operating efficiency of up to 98.6%. Deye Inverters are usually expensive, but considering their long warranty period and efficient design, they are still considered to be worth the money.
Meanwhile, regarding the three major inverter brands Deye vs Growatt vs Goodwe, we have compared them in nine aspects. For details, please read: A Comprehensive Comparison of 9 Aspects : Deye vs Growatt vs Goodwe Solar Inverters
Conclusion
Although the functions of solar power inverter are simple and clear, their selection can be quite complex, and there are also many brands to choose from. Conduct some basic research to understand the types of inverters available in the market, including their efficiency, compatibility, intelligent monitoring capabilities, and more, which are all factors worth considering.
Choosing the appropriate solar power inverter is crucial for ensuring system efficiency and long-term reliability. Although most solar installers are responsible for the selection and installation of inverters, as consumers, understanding different types of inverters and their characteristics can help you make wiser decisions.
