Solar inverter? This may be a term you hear for the first time, but if you are here it is because you have an idea.
Most of the electrical appliances and devices that we have in our home, office, schools, universities, anywhere, work with alternating current.
In order to use the direct current collected in a system that captures solar energy, it must be switched to alternating current.
That’s what the solar inverter does. It transforms direct current into alternating current, so that all appliances that need electrical power to operate will turn on without a hitch.
We know that this is a technical issue, which in some cases seems to be taken from a science fiction movie, and that is why we wanted to make this article.
With plain and simple words, we will explain all the concepts behind the solar inverter, information that will allow you to make the right decisions when you want to take advantage of solar energy.
Basic operation of a solar inverter
When we install solar panels on the roof of an installation or on a piece of land close to any building, the aim is to capture the solar energy in order to take advantage of it.
The solar panels are in charge of capturing the solar energy, transforming it into continuous energy that ends up being stored in battery banks.
Before it can be used to operate any electrical appliance, an electrical inverter must change the frequency and waveform of the stored energy to transform it into alternating current.
Once this process is completed, any electrical device connected to the grid will operate as usual.
Solar inverters: basic characteristics
Before embarking on the purchase of a solar inverter, it is important that you know the most basic features of these types of electronic devices, so that you understand what you are told at the store where you are going to buy it.
So let’s see what the basic characteristics of solar inverters are.
Protection system
The most advisable thing is to have a solar inverter that has the capacity to stop the production of energy in case of short circuit, failures in the installation or falls of the system.
With this feature, you will save money and will not have to install an additional shutdown system.
Data logging capability
Another desired feature of any solar inverter is that it has the ability to record specific data on the operation of the entire system.
With this information you will have the opportunity to identify the failures in the installation or if you have some problem of production in some of the panels that conform all your system.
Production optimization
The third recommended feature is the ability to optimize energy production, regardless of the types of panels that have been installed or the existence of shadows in the environment.
The ideal is to choose an inverter that fits our whole system, that way all the add-ons will talk to each other and we will get real and quality information.
Transformation power
The power of transformation will mark the maximum point of energy that our solar inverter can transform.
Ideally, we should buy one that fits our installation and consumption needs.
Types of electric inverters
Currently, there are three types of solar inverters that you can install on your grid: string inverter, microinverter, and power optimizer.
String inverters, also known as chain inverters, are the most commonly used, in principle, because they meet the needs of most cases efficiently.
Although the decrease in the manufacturing costs of the power optimizer type solar inverter has allowed it to begin to gain more market share and it is beginning to emerge as the technology that will lead the sector.
Let’s see what the characteristics of each of the types of solar inverters you find on the market are.
String or chain
It is the most mature technology as far as solar energy is concerned, however, its operation may limit you.
For this type of solar inverter, the panels are installed in a chain, connected to each other, forming a branch. The string will be connected to a solar string inverter.
This type of inverter adapts its production capacity to the panel that is generating the least current at that time. That is to say, if you have a branch of panels and one of them is covered by a shadow, the whole branch will lose its maximum capacity.
They are recommended only in places where all the solar panels are exposed in the same way and none of them is affected by a shadow.
For example, in a house with a gable roof, this solution will not allow you to make the most of your installation. Why? Because the sun will not affect both sides of the roof in the same way.
However, the cost of this equipment is so striking that it continues to maintain its leadership in the sector of self-consumption of energy.
Solar microinverter
Here the operation is simpler and can be explained as follows: a microinverter for each solar panel.
With this, all the inconveniences offered by the installation of string inverters are eliminated, since the production capacity of each panel will be managed individually, without another one influencing or impacting its performance.
Generally, this type of converter is integrated into the solar panels, as they are smaller than the others.
Another advantage of using the solar microinverter is the monitoring of the solar panels. You will have maximum control of each of the components of the array, allowing you to identify any problems in the solution.
Although they are the most expensive of inverters the advantages they present are not negligible. On the other hand, in recent years production costs have been optimized and sales prices are falling.
Current boosters
This type of solar inverter brings us, in the same solution, the best of the two previous types.
The arrangers with current enhancers include an inverter that is installed to each of the solar panels, with a similar operation to the microinverters, with the difference that it does not transform the direct current into alternating current.
After regulating and stabilizing the power of each of the panels, the direct current is transferred to a solar string inverter that is included in the array.
In this way, direct current is transformed into alternating current so that you can use it without problems in your home, office, company or wherever you want.
As we commented above, the production costs of this type of technology were optimized in such a way that they are an effective and economical solution, so they are beginning to expand their footprint in the market.
Recommended Installation
The world of solar inverters and the use of solar energy is not a simple matter, you must pay attention to many details so that everything goes as planned and does not generate any collateral damage.
One of the aspects that you must take into account is the installation space of the inverter.
Logic indicates that it should be near the panels, however, the recommendation is that it should be in an easily accessible space. This way, maintenance, revision and monitoring of the installation will be a simple task.
On the other hand, it is important to take into account that this type of equipment emits a lot of heat. Taking into account this detail, the ideal is to install them in an open space, where the heat can be dissipated.
It is not recommended to install a solar inverter in a closed space, since the heat will generate unwanted problems and can be a danger point in your installation.
Finally, it is ideal to understand that this is an electrical energy installation, so it should be installed in a place out of reach of minors or unknowing people.
If it is not possible, at least install a structure that limits access to the solar inverter, maintaining the safety of your loved ones, employees and the investment you made.
Other concepts you should know
Since we have covered almost all the information necessary for you to know how a solar energy capture installation and – above all – the solar inverter works, we will give you some more data that will not weigh you down.
These are parameters that you must know when deciding on one or another complement:
- Installation of panels. Unless you have a large area free of interference, panel installations usually do not expose all panels to the same amount of sun. Some will have shadows and that will decrease their capacity.
- Panels. It is common for a facility to have newer panels than others. If this is the case, string inverters will prevent the whole installation from being limited to the production capacity of the one that produces less.
- Expansion. At some point, you will need to expand. Therefore, you should buy a solar inverter that allows this expansion and you can ensure the energy of your next needs. In other words, don’t buy just enough.
- Installed power. In connection with the previous point, the installed power indicates the maximum energy you can produce. Buy the surplus that your budget can afford.
- Warranty. This is a type of installation that requires an important initial investment. Prefer the equipment that offers the best guarantee conditions. Generally, they are between 5 and 25 years.
Why is using solar energy important?
Power generation is a big pollutant, depending on the method of energy production used in your location, the environmental impact will be more or less high.
Using solar energy is a renewable, clean and non-polluting solution that is available worldwide.
A clear example is the island of Eigg, Scotland, famous for breaking its dependence on energy generated on the mainland. The entire island is supplied with the energy they produce by their combined use system.
Since the inhabitants of Eigg made the decision to take the reins of generating their energy, there were no more cuts, reaching the point of surplus production, which they store for the cold days of the year.
But if you want to know, point by point, the main benefits of using solar energy to generate the energy that moves our lives, here we present them:
- Production of uncontaminated income.
- Source of employment.
- Generates savings from electrical energy consumption.
- Renewable, non-polluting energy.
- Inexhaustible source of energy.
- Prevents the generation of greenhouse gases.
- Does not contribute to global warming.
- It is adaptable to any need, scalable in a simple way.
- It is not tied to a number of applicants, you can install a system for a house, a building or an entire city.
Now all you have to do is plan and take the time to install your own solar energy system – you won’t regret it and the planet will thank you!