Inverters for Solar Systems
The Inverter is a crucial part of any solar panel system so because of variations in voltage and current between them, it is important that the correct one is fitted, otherwise there will be a reduction in the performance of the Solar system.
A good quality solar energy inverter is an essential part of your panel set up. It is an intelligent piece of equipment that connects to your system and should be placed where you can easily get at it.
It:
- maximises the available energy being generated from your panels
- changes the DC current from the panels into AC current so that it is compatible with everyday appliances and exporting to the National Grid.
There are different ways to achieve this and advantages for each approach.
Most inverters now have internet connection capability, so you can keep an eye on your system using apps or web browsers, even when you are away. The technology also raises awareness of your energy usage, encouraging you to be more sustainable, and save more money.
Inverters are often fitted in lofts but you need to consider that the units work more efficiently in a cool environment. So if there is extreme heat in a loft, especially on a day that you are asking the inverter to work its hardest, further raising its operating temperature, will shorten the life of your inverter and reduce the amount of energy it can generate.
Inverters also have a display on the front which will let you know if the system is working correctly. If it is hidden away in the loft you might not realise there is a problem immediately.
String inverters
A string is a chain of panels connected together in series. This is the most basic inverter system. All the panels in a string must be at the same pitch and orientation, otherwise there will be inefficiencies in the system. Many string inverters have 2 or even 3 MPPTs (Maximum Power Point Tracking), which means that you can have a different string of panels on each MPPT. This could work well for an east/west set up.
Microinverters
One of the disadvantages of string inverters is that if there is a fault or shading on one panel in the string, it will affect the performance of all the panels on the same string. In a microinverter system each panel has an inverter all to itself. Each panel is therefore isolated so any faults or shading will be isolated. As microinverters are often hooked up to the internet, problems with specific panels are quickly and easily identified, saving a huge amount of investigation time.
Optimised inverter system
A hybrid of the microinverters and string inverters, separates the two jobs of an inverter. There are optimisers behind each panel which carry out the role of MPPT therefore isolating any shading or fault issues. These optimisers are connected to a central inverter which can work more efficiently as it is always presented with the same voltage from the panels (string inverters have to deal with variable voltages). These systems are also internet connected which allows proactive maintenance
SOME OF THE CHOICES OF INVERTER
We will recommend what we believe is the correct choice of inverter based on the circumstances and requirements of your particular installation.
Here are some of the options available:-
