Solar Inverters

There are a few varieties of solar inverters that you can invest in. Now that you understand how they work, we can move on to the types of these devices. 

Central Inverters

Central inverters are large devices that can accept DC input from many solar panels at the same time. 

Typically, with a solar system, we arrange the panels in a chain or string. Then, we place them in rows and connect them in series. 

This gives us a single linking point that we attach to the inverter. In order for the device to work, all the panels in the lineup need to have the same pitch and orientation. 

Other than that, you can connect more than one solar system to the same inverter. If you link up more than one inverter together, we can refer to them as string inverters. 

Pros

Right off the bat, one of the major benefits of these inverters is their efficiency. They can handle high voltages and currents, and waste little power during conversions.

That means they’re able to turn more energy from solar panels into usable electricity. This makes them one of the most cost-effective types of inverters. 

Aside from that, central inverters are usually easy to maintain and repair. Since the main device is in one location, accessing the gadget should be a breeze.

Lastly, these inverters give you more control over the entire solar system. They allow you to monitor and adjust the output levels of each panel individually. 

That should ensure that the system runs at maximum efficiency. For these reasons, central inverters are ideal for large-scale solar systems. 

Cons

While central inverters are excellent devices, they do come with a few disadvantages. At first glance, you’ll notice that the gadgets are bulky. 

They tend to have large sizes and weights, which makes them difficult to transport and set up. This may increase the cost of installation since you’ll need special tools to move the devices. 

Other than that, central inverters are vulnerable to failure. They deal with panels as if they’re one large device. 

So, when one panel fails, the entire system will shut down. That means you won’t be able to produce any energy until you perform repairs. 

Finally, there isn’t much flexibility when it comes to the design of central inverters. Because of that, it may be tricky to incorporate them into every solar system. 

Micro Inverters

Micro inverters have only been on the market for a few years. Yet, in this short period, they managed to make quite an impact. 

In a central solar system, we link all the components to the same device. However, with the micro version, each panel gets its own inverter. 

This helps isolate any failures in the system. For example, if a panel malfunctions, only one inverter will stop outputting power. 

The rest of the setup can function normally without interruptions. That makes them ideal for rooftop layouts. 

Besides that, micro inverters convert power more efficiently than the central variety. 

Pros

There are many benefits to installing micro inverters in your solar setup. First up, they offer you exceptional flexibility when it comes to system design.

With micro inverters, all panels operate independently. That means if one of them isn’t producing power because of shade or other issues, it won’t affect your system.

The other components can keep generating power, which should maximise your energy output. 

Moving on, these devices are usually safer to operate than the central variety. That’s because they run on low voltages. This should reduce the chances of shocks and fire hazards.

Aside from that, micro inverters can improve your monitoring capabilities. You’ll be able to keep an eye on the individual output of each panel.

For that reason, finding issues with your system should be a cakewalk. 

Cons

Like any other gadget, micro inverters have their fair share of issues. For example, these devices can cost an arm and a leg.

They’re a lot more expensive than the central variety. This makes setting up an entire system a little challenging if you’re on a budget. 

Other than that, the inverters are more complex. You’ll need to connect each gadget individually.

This may make the maintenance process time-consuming and tedious. 

On top of that, micro inverters aren’t great at handling high voltages. That means they’re not suitable for large systems. 

Moving on, shade can affect output levels significantly. If one of the panels isn’t functioning at top capacity, it’ll reduce the energy you produce considerably. 

Hybrid Inverters

A hybrid device is a combination of an inverter and a battery. This can give your solar system a major boost. 

A solar panel will produce energy as long as there’s sunlight. Whether you use the power or not, it’ll flow through your system.

Sadly, this means that there’s some wasted electricity. To avoid this issue, you’ll need a battery. 

Once solar panels produce energy, they’ll send it through the inverters. This will keep happening as long as you’re using the power you generate.

Yet, if your system creates more electricity than you need, this extra power goes to the batteries. When you need more energy, the storage devices will release their capacity. 

Pros

The main advantage of using hybrid inverters is the storage feature. You can collect surplus power to use at a later date. 

Because of that, you can utilise the renewable energy source, even when the sun’s not shining. This should reduce your reliance on the National Grid and help you save money on energy bills. 

To top it all off, the switch between grid power and battery energy is seamless. You won’t even be able to notice the change. 

For that reason, these devices are excellent for areas that experience frequent blackouts. 

Other than that, they allow you the same monitoring capacity as micro inverters. You’ll be able to keep an eye on each solar panel’s output. 

Cons

One of the major drawbacks of hybrid inverters is their price tag. They can be more expensive than central devices.

This is because the battery component comes at an extra cost. 

Moving on, hybrid systems are tricky to maintain and install. You’ll need to call in an expert to help you with the setup and any repairs. 

Sadly, that will increase the running costs of using the inverters.

In addition, hybrid devices are less efficient than the central variety. They can struggle to convert all the energy that the panels generate. 

When that happens, the inverter will pull power from the grid. This means you won’t be able to save as much money on your energy bills. 

Power Optimisers

Power optimisers are a combination of micro and central inverters. To help you understand this, let’s take a look at the setup.

With these inverters, we connect each solar panel to its own energy optimiser. So, as you generate power, the devices will maximise the output. 

This will give you a major boost in energy production. 

Then, all this electricity will flow to a central inverter. That’s when we convert the AC power into DC. 

Pros

As you can guess by the name, the primary benefit of these devices is optimisation. They can maximise the amount of energy that each solar panel produces. 

Because of that, they’re able to supply more power than the other inverters on our list. 

Besides that, these devices allow you to monitor your solar system in real time. You’ll be able to see the output levels of each panel throughout the day. 

This will make identifying issues and addressing them a walk in the park. 

Plus, you’ll need fewer components and wiring than central inverters. That means they’re more cost-effective. 

Finally, due to their modular design, power optimisers can last for a long time. You should be able to remove any faulty parts and replace them with ease.

Cons

For the most part, power optimisers share the same drawbacks as micro inverters. Both devices are complex and require careful installation. This can be time-consuming and expensive. 

Other than that, the setup leaves plenty of room for failure. If any of the optimizers malfunction, the entire system will take quite a hit.

Finally, the cost of these devices can be a major deterrent. They’re on the pricier side, which means they’re not suitable for all solar systems.