What is a solar inverter?
Solar power inverters are the true backbone of a solar system:
What is a solar inverter?
If solar panels are the heart of a system, then inverters are the brain. Typically, an inverter's main job is to convert DC power produced by solar arrays into usable AC power, but recently its role has become more involved. Certain inverters now enable monitoring so we can see how your system is performing.
What does AC/DC mean?
A direct current (DC) is generated when solar rays interact with the solar panel material and force electrons to flow freely from atomic structures. Solar inverters convert this DC energy into an alternating current (AC). It is much easier to transport and convert AC into different energy strengths than DC energy. That is why AC is the standardized form of energy we all utilize.
Different kinds of inverters
Not all inverters are created equal. Some are more efficient than others, and this affects your entire system's output and potential savings. Traditional Inverters, also called a central inverters, draw power in series through all your panels. This means the amount of power you receive is only as much as the weakest power generated. Typically, this kind of inverter is a single box installed right next to the panels. Traditional inverters are the most cost effective for larger installations. Smaller residential installations can use micro inverters, small inverters that are placed on the back of each solar panel. Installing individual inverters allows each solar panel to perform independently. These smaller installations can also use DC-Optimizers. Like micro inverters, are devices that go on the backside of each panel. However, instead of converting the DC energy to AC, optimizers “condition” the DC energy and send the power to a central inverter.
