What Does a Solar Inverter Do?

Now more than ever, there is an increase in interest in clean, renewable, and sustainable energy sources. Because of this, the popularity of solar energy systems has increased. Solar power is one of the top sources of renewable energy. So, while the majority of people are familiar with the concept of solar panels, what solar inverters are and what they do is comparatively unfamiliar. 

Solar inverters play a key role in the usage of solar power in our lives. Considering its recent popularity, we have put together a detailed guide regarding solar inverters, how they work, etc.

What is a Solar Inverter?

A fundamental part of using the solar power system is a solar inverter. It takes the energy absorbed from the solar panels, also called photovoltaic (PV) panels, and converts it into electricity. A solar inverter serves as a bridge between energy absorbed from the sun and the electricity we use on a regular basis. In other words, it connects the two. 

Where is a Solar Inverter Used?

A solar inverter is needed as the energy initially absorbed from the solar panels is in the form of direct current (DC). However, the electricity we use in our household, as well as the overall power grid, is in alternating current (AC) form. 

So, a solar inverter is required to make the conversion from DC to AC to employ the sun’s energy for our residential and commercial use. These inverters are also used in solar IPS inverters that provide backup power and ensure a continuous energy supply.

What Does a Solar Inverter Do?

Solar inverters do more than solely convert energy from the sun into electricity. These features include:

Assessing System Performance

Solar inverters almost act like a health tracker for your solar energy system. This includes monitoring energy production as well as efficiency. Modern and advanced inverters also provide data on energy output on their own apps. They can also help you identify any issue within your solar energy system quickly. This allows you to fix a problem in the system quickly.

Swift Response to Problems

Solar inverters, especially the advanced ones, have safety features that act quickly in detecting problems. These problems include power surges or electrical faults. When a solar inverter detects a problem, it immediately shuts down the system to prevent any accidents from taking place.

Electricity Alignment

Solar inverters play a crucial role in aligning the electricity produced by the solar panels with the grid’s electricity. This makes sure that the energy absorbed from the solar power smoothly becomes a part of the overall energy supply during the transfer.

Benefits of Solar Inverters

Solar inverters offer a range of benefits apart from converting solar energy into its usable form. Some of the benefits are as follows:

Power Optimization

Solar inverters have an algorithm known as Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT). It gathers the maximum amount of energy from the solar panels. Regardless of the fluctuating temperatures outside, this will make sure that as much energy as possible is being brought in.

Supports Off-Grid Systems

These inverters collaboratively work with battery storage systems. This is to ensure continuous power is being provided during the cloudy days as well as nighttime. Overall, they take away the need to rely on off-grid systems for constant energy supply. 

Long-Term Cost Efficiency 

Solar inverters boost the system efficiency. This contributes to saving any extra cost spent on energy. Not to mention, they also extend the lifespan and functionality of solar systems. This is done through constant monitoring and managing their performance. 

Types of Solar Inverters

There are different types of solar inverters in the market and each of them serves a different purpose. For example:

• String Inverters: This is the most common type of inverter, especially for domestic use. They are budget-friendly as well as easy to install, especially in households.
• Microinverters: These are installed on individual solar panels. It provides a huge amount of energy despite the presence of any shade.
• Central Inverters: They are used in commercial places in their large-scale solar installations as they are quite budget-friendly. 

Conclusion

A solar inverter is a very crucial part of any solar energy-based system. From converting DC electricity to AC, these inverters also ensure safety, assess system performance, and optimize performance. By knowing the different types of inverters as well as their features, you can make informed decisions when upgrading or installing a new solar power system.