Solar inverters and panels work in collaboration to provide maximum electricity output. Solar inverters are the brain of the solar power system, and the panels are its muscle. While people may know more about solar panels, solar inverters are an equally significant component that permits electricity from the sun's radiation to be transformed into functional household electricity.
In this article, we will discuss solar inverters thoroughly to provide you with detailed insight into what they do and how they can impact your life.
How do solar inverters function?
Your home's electricity runs on an alternating current (AC) while electricity generated by solar panels is a direct current (DC). Therefore, with the help of solar inverters, the DC electricity is converted into AC.
The primary function of solar inverters is to convert the DC electricity gathered by solar panels into AC electricity used by your home. It is because of its function that it can also be termed a “solar converter.”
Since most electric appliances use AC power, solar energy systems must transfer the DC energy into AC electricity to be useful for the effective functioning of the electrical appliances. It’s the brain of the solar inverters that successfully converts the electricity, permitting the solar energy system to offer sufficient power to electronic devices.
In fact, solar inverters act as the middleman between the electric grid and your home, in cases when your solar energy system is producing more electricity than required or consumed by your home. In such scenarios, a solar inverter is referred to as a grid-tie inverter. It is the function of grid-tie inverters to allow your house to possess uninterrupted power, irrespective of the energy that your solar panels may generate.
In cases when the solar system is producing more electricity than your home's requirement, the solar inverter feeds the excess energy back into the power grid. Then, if you are in a situation where the solar panels produce little power, which may not be enough for your entire home, the solar inverter supplements solar energy with the power grid.
If your solar panels are not producing electricity at night, your house might need 100% power from the power grid; the inverter then combines electricity from the grid with power stockpiled in solar batteries. Solar inverters ensure that your house has all the necessary energy it needs in diverse situations so that you do not notice any changes or shifts between them.
Types of solar inverters available in India
There are many factors to consider before you install a solar rooftop system. Solar inverters used for home rooftops depend highly on potential complications of the roof, frequency, extent of your roof’s shade, the motive of your solar energy usage, utility guidelines of your residential area, contracted manufacturers, and several other elements.
There are four primary types of solar inverters: string inverters, microinverters, hybrid inverters, and power optimisers.
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String inverters - String inverters are also termed “central inverters.” They are suitable for simplistic solar energy system designs. Multiple solar panels are connected in a “string,” and several such strings are then connected in a single central inverter. In string inverters, electrical power flows from solar panels to a central inverter that transfers DC to AC electricity before making it available to power your home.
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Microinverters - Microinverters are different from string inverters—these solar inverters are small and installed next to every solar panel. The power in microinverters converts DC electricity to AC in the panels and does not flow from every panel to a solo inverter before being transformed.
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Hybrid inverters - Hybrid inverters serve a dual role by combining the functions of a battery inverter and a photovoltaic (PV) inverter. This enables efficient coordination between solar power, grid electricity, and stored energy, which in turn allows users to maximize self-consumption, store excess energy for later use, and seamlessly switch between power sources based on demand and availability.
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Power optimisers - Power optimisers function as a middle ground between microinverters and string inverters. Like microinverters, power optimisers are situated beside individual panels. However, similar to string inverters, power in these solar inverters goes to the central inverter directly from the panels.
How homeowners can choose the correct solar inverter for their homes
Did you know that solar power generated from solar panels must go through the solar inverter? Because of this, it's critical that you choose the right type of inverter to avoid ending up with a system that performs poorly. As you determine if your rooftop is right for solar, here are some tips on how to choose a solar inverter for your home:
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Gain knowledge about the frequently used inverters, such as off-grid inverters, string inverters, grid-tie inverters, and hybrid inverters
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Compare multiple solar inverters according to their efficiency
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Thoroughly research the supplier’s reputation
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Consider crucial parameters of various inverters
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Inspect the tracking devices or additional accessories of the inverters
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Opt for solar inverters with eminent features
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Carefully examine the cooling system
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Find an Enphase installer near you
Price of solar inverters in India
There are several types of solar inverters available in India, and the price varies based on their function and efficiency. The price in India can start at about ₹7,000 and go up to ₹1,50,000.
Pros and cons of different solar inverters
String inverters
Pros:
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Low cost
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Performs well without shade
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Standard inverter
Cons:
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The overall production decreases if one of the panels is shaded or damaged
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Difficult to monitor every panel individually
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If solar panels are facing different directions, they cannot function at an optimal level
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Inadequate to meet additional power demands, and a secondary central inverter may be needed to fulfil the requirements
Microinverters
Pros:
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Apt for rooftops where solar panels might face different directions
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Enhancing power needs is easier and relatively cheaper than installing a second central inverter
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Monitoring individual panels is available
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Shade from nearby trees does not impact overall power output
Cons:
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Higher initial cost
Hybrid inverter
Pros:
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Uninterrupted power supply
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Makes use of natural resources to full potential
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Low maintenance as compared to the conventional energy source—hybrid inverters do not require fuel to function, therefore, servicing at regular intervals is not needed
Cons:
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Expensive installation
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Short-lived battery life
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Modifications or supplemental add-ons for prevailing solar systems
Power optimisers
Pros:
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Better efficiency than string inverters
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Individual panel monitoring is available
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Comparatively more affordable than microinverters
Cons:
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All solar panels are not necessarily facing the same direction, also not all might be shaded
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High initial cost
How long do solar inverters last?
On average, solar inverters generally last around 10 to 12 years and may require a replacement at least once in the solar panel’s lifetime. Since solar inverters are essential for the efficient and safe functioning of solar panels, Enphase Energy provides a 25-year warranty on microinverters. This is far better than the usual provision of a 10-year warranty on a maximum number of string inverters.
Solar inverters can help transform the planet’s energy future
The solar journey doesn’t end with the panels—it culminates in the transformative power of solar inverters shaping a cleaner, brighter, and more energy-resilient world for generations to come. Solar inverters are critical components of solar energy systems, which translate sunlight into usable electricity with remarkable efficiency. As we embrace solar inverter innovations, we take significant strides toward reducing our carbon footprint and building a greener planet.
When you’re ready, take the step to find the right solar system size for your home.
