Inverters are a component needed for PV solar installations requiring alternating current or AC electrical power. Solar panels generate direct current or DC power. The inverter changes DC power to AC power for further more use at homes installations whether on-grid or off-grid.inverter is an essential component in any solar power system, and have to intelligent and responsible yield monitoring management system
What should we know about solar inverters
There are 4 basic types of solar inverter: String, String + Optimizer, Micro-inverter, and Hybrid.
string (grid tiled) inverter is the most economical approach. Works just fine in direct Sun when shade is not an issue. Multiple strings, or groups of panels, are wired together, and than connected to the inverter. Each string operates independently. The string inverter working time is 15 to 20 years. String are ideal for ground-mounted systems or buildings where rooftop shutdown is not required.
String inverter with Optimizer has a small device added to the back of each panel to optimize performance. Each panel operates independently, it can be monitored, and includes rooftop shutdown capability. Optimizer help minimize shade losses and improve overall performance.
Micro-inverters has device to back of each panel to optimize performance and convert from DC to AC power. Each panel operates independently, it can be monitored and includes rooftop shutdown capability. Micro-inverters help minimize shade losses and improve overall performance. The smaller electronics has a longer life, for example Enphase has a 25 year warranty.
Hybrid inverter can work both on-grid, or off-grid with batteries. The solar panels and storage batteries are in one unit. The hybrid inverter also has an internal power transfer switch to deliver power during an outage. Some hybrid inverters even lets connections to a fuel generator or another power source to charge batteries.
Inventer main characteristic are :
Maximal DC input power from 350W and more
Maximal DC input voltage from 50 to 60 V
Maximum AC output power from 245 W and more
Maximum continuous AC output power from 245 W and more
Nominal AC output power from 240 W and more
Maximum continuous AC output current from 1 to 2 A
Maximum units per 20 A branch circuit
Solar inverter brands
ENPHASE ENERGY is a publicly traded company based in California. The company has global manufacturing. They have more than 340 patents issued and operates in 21 countries.
visit officiale site
SMA was founded as a publicly-traded company (SMTGF) . The headquartered is in Germany, and have the US branches. SMA has a global presence with sales and service subsidiaries in 16+ countries. SMA has two lines of inverters: String and Central. String inverters are utilized in small residential solar arrays. Central inverter are larger and robust for more power.
SolarEdge established the DC power optimizer segment. They are located in more than 130 countries with headquarters in Israel, and the USA office. SolarEdge (SEDG) has developed intelligent invert solutions which maximize power. Solar Edge carry warranty; 25-years for power optimizer and 12-years for inverters, extendable to 20 years.
GETENRAC or Pika Energy is located in Maine USA. The company are known as manufacturer of a wide range of power generation equipment serving residential, light commercial and industrial markets etc.
The Generac PWRcell system consists: power inverter -> lithium battery -> monitoring app ->PV link optimizer -> SnapRS rapid shutdown devices. PWRcell is compatible with any type of solar panel. PWRcell energy storage system and lithium battery modules are backed by a 10-year warranty.
APsystems company has headquarters based in the USA state of Washington. The APsystems microinverters can raise system efficiency by up to about 20% more than some conventional string inverter systems in shaded or cloudy conditions! Each microinverter complies with Rapid Shutdown requirements out of the box.
Fronius is headquartered in Austria and has USA. Division based in Indiana. Froinus is in 28 countries, represented by subsidiaries, and they have sales partners and representatives in over 60 countries.
Also known very well as old family business company in electric power components.
Fronius has an extensive line of solar inverters to power any size of the system : from a small house to a large scale commercial business. Power capabilities of Fronius inverters range from 1.5 to 24 kW. Fronius has 3 lines of inverteres with varying power ranges : Primo, Symo, and Symo Advanced. All of Fronius Inverters are Rapid Shutdown compliant !
Delta series of single-phase inverters are suitable for residential till factories. They are extremely lightweight, making installation simple and easy with fan less design reducing noise.
Delta’s three-phase inverters are suitable for commercial, industrial, and large-scale utility solar plant applications -also are suitable for use in various outdoor environments.
LG very well-known Korean company, has production inverter line their NeON® R ACe, each solar panel has its own small inverter – or microinverter – connected to the back of the panel. DC power is converted to AC directly on the roof.
Chilicon Power have produce, manufacture and design their micro inverters in USA – California. They hase experience by designing solutions for NASA’s deep space network microinverters. They use the most reliable capacitors that provide built-in long-term reliability. Chilicon Power microinverters are all AC design without the need for string calculations. They are easy to install with standardized trunk cables. Chilicon Power carries two microinverter models: CP720 and CO-250E.
OutBack Power based in Washington USA, they are a proven manufacturer of solar power electronics for hybrid, off-grid, and solar batteries. OutBack Power Technologies, Inc. offers a full line of rechargeable battery storage products, inverters, and chargers. OutBack solar inverter chargers are the next generation in advanced power management. Each is a DC to AC sine wave inverter, battery charger and AC transfer switch housed within a tough die-cast aluminum chassis.
Schneider Electric the oldest company with a remarkable name is a global producer of inverters for renewable energy and backup power systems. They provide: digital automation solutions in combination with their solar inverters. Advanced technology integrated into solar products can help do more with less and leverage. Schneider Electric has a range of solar inverters; they power some of the largest and smallest installations in the USA.
Sol-Ark is USA company based in Texas, with a team of engineers who specialize in solar, electrical, mechanical, and nuclear engineering. They have over 25 years of experience, Sol-Ark system was offers the Sol-Ark 8K Hybrid Inverter. The inverter simultaneously manages power to -from solar, battery, grid, loads, and generator to provide homes less energy dependence on the grid. The Sol-Ark inverter is easy to install.
Cotek from Taiwan based company with a sales office in Canada. Coetk is focused on developing, designing, and manufacturing products to make life easier and more enjoyable : SL, SC SPSD, SE and SR series.
Magnum Energy inverters are highly engineered devices with a focus on safety, energy efficiency, and a clean environment. Inverters and Chargers from Magnum Energy are designed for the most demanding renewable energy, remote, off-grid and mobile installations. Magnum Energy products are robust, easy-to-use, and best of all, their products are cost-effective.
Growatt company with headquarters in China has branch offices in Germany, USA, UK, Australia, Brazil, Thailand, India, Netherlands etc. Their inverters were shipped to over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Power of Growatt invertes vary from 1 to 630 kW.
Yaskawa was founded in 1915 in Japan and are a publicly-traded company (YASKF). Yaskawa Solectria Solar provides extensive experience developing and working with power electronics and inverters :
advanced grid support, parallel power stages, remote diagnostic and many more
Huawei one of the most advanced telecommunications and mobile phones from China offer
inverters innovate and optimize solar energy throughout the entire power generation life cycle. Huawei integrates cutting-edge digital, internet, and PV technology into their solar inverters. Embedding innovative technology intelligence into the inverters, it connects every object and process. This executes a new level of digital transformation strategies that go beyond smart technology and AI.
Tigo Energy has headquartered in California with ten offices worldwide and has operations in the Central & South America, Caribbean, Europe, Japan, China, Australia, South Pacific, and the Middle East !
Tigo, is the first company to certify embedding their technology directly into the junction box of a solar module. Tigo’s smart modules provide all the benefits of traditional power optimizer but eliminates the need for extra boxes for solar arrays.