(Referencing the band – how many AC/DC song titles* are in this high voltage blog?) 

Are you ready? The inverter is an essential piece of solar equipment. Solar inverters take the direct current (DC) energy current produced by the solar panels and converts it to the alternating current (AC). AC current is usable electric current for homes and businesses. There are different types of inverters: microinverters and string inverters. String inverters can be AC or DC coupled. String inverters are also referred to as central inverters. Let’s take a look at the details behind these two types of solar inverters.

Don’t be thunderstruck, here are a few more technical details:

Microinverters:

There is one inverter for each panel that converts energy from DC to AC at the panel level. The inverter then aggregates the AC output from all the panels and channels it into the electric panel to cover the electrical demand. Microinverters are great for houses with some shading.  Each panel produces what it can throughout the day independent of the other panels around it. Solar production can be tracked down to the panel level.  SVE typically uses Enphase microinverters.

String Inverters:

A string inverter system aggregates the power output of groups of solar panels in a system into “strings”. The multiple strings of solar panels then connect to a single inverter where electricity is converted from DC to AC electricity. String inverters are great for areas without shading from trees, chimneys, or other interferences that might interrupt the performance of a panel that is part of a string. Unlike microinverters, the output of the whole string is affected if one solar panel is producing less than the others. Additionally, string inverters don’t allow panel-level monitoring and it’s difficult to add additions to an array without purchasing a new inverter.

Every Situation is Unique

Choosing an inverter is not a shot in the dark; it depends on the situation, i.e., the size of the installation, whether it is a home or business, and if batteries will be included as part of the installation. SVE uses a selection of top-notch inverters including Tesla, Sol-Ark, Enphase, and Sunny Boy brands. And of course, money talks. 

Call SVE at 678.833.5191 or email us to explore how solar can help you manage your ever-increasing power bills, provide backup energy in a nick of time when the grid’s system’s down, generate clean energy to fill your EV, and more!

*Nine (Rock Your Heart Out)