Solar Inverters Explained
by HESOLAR
Solar inverters are the brain of a solar power system. Their main function is to take the DC Electricity output from solar panels and change it to AC electricity found in homes and businesses. They also provide production monitoring allowing you to monitor the systems production online!
HESOLAR has a reputation for only using premium solar inverters that have proven reliability. This page will give insight into why we only use certain solar inverters.
Inverter Types
String Inverters
Traditional solar inverters are incredibly reliable and are common in ground mounted solar systems.
String w/ DC Optimizers
DC Optimizers combine the benefits of String Inverters and Micro Inverters.
Micro / AC Panels
Micro Inverters invert DC to AC directly under the solar panel. AC Panels come with built-in Micro Inverters.
Battery Inverters
Battery Inverters allow for backup power and other uses of energy storage in a home or business.
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Getting Started w/ Inverters
The role inverters play in a solar system
Solar customers don’t have to be experts in electricity but it does help to understand the difference between DC and AC Electricity:
DC Electricity: Solar Panels create Direct Current Electricity, a form of electricity that is also found in batteries. AA Batteries found in remote controls are a good example of DC electricity that you likely have experience with.
AC Electricity: Alternating Current Electricity is a form of electricity that we have in our homes and businesses.
Solar Inverters take the DC Electricity from solar panels and invert it into AC Electricity.
Grid Tied Solar: Follow the Energy
Grid Tied Solar Inverters: Typical Line Diagram
HESOLAR - Grid Tied Inverters
Side by Side Comparison
| SMA 7.7-40 w/ Tigo | SolarEdge 7600A | Enphase IQ7+ | SunPower 360 AC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Module Level Monitoring | Optional | Yes | Yes | No |
| Rapid Shutdown | Optional | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Grid Tied Inverters
Detailed Features
String Inverters
The traditional inverters that accept the DC voltage from a “string” of solar panels and invert it into AC voltage. These inverters have fewer failure points than DC Optimizers and Micro Inverters but can no longer be used on homes or buildings. We still use them for arrays on barns, ground mounts and carports.
HESOLAR String Inverter Options:
SMA: SMA has long been the go to option for traditional string inverters. In 2014 new Electrical Codes were introduced that made traditional Inverters difficult to use on homes and businesses.
(LEFT) DC Optimizer mounts under the Array; (RIGHT) String Inverter mounts on the wall.
String Inverters w/ DC Optimizers
Similar to traditional inverters but with an added component. DC Optimizers, also known as DC to DC converters, are a form of Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE). A DC optimizer is placed under every panel and allows for the voltage and current to be manipulated for multiple purposes.
DC Optimizer Features:
Module Level Monitoring: Module level monitoring is our favorite DC Optimizer feature. DC Optimizers allow consumers and the installer to monitor the performance of every solar panel.
String Inverter Reliability: DC Optimizers are wired similar to traditional string inverters and still utilize a wall mounted string inverter to change from DC to AC electricity. Changing from DC to AC (Inverting) creates heat.
Shade Tolerance: Solar Panels with shade can negatively effect traditional string inverters due to a lowered electrical current (Amps). DC Optimizers solve this issue by transforming the shaded panels output to match neighboring solar panels.
Multiple Orientation: DC Optimizers also allow for solar panels to face multiple directions on the same string. This is beneficial for custom homes with complex roofs.
Code Compliance: DC Optimizers allow for solar electricity to be shut off before it reaches the inverter. Traditional String Inverters can not shut down electricity leaving the solar panels until it reaches the inverter.
HESOLAR DC Optimizer Options:
SolarEdge: Now leads the North American market for inverter sales. Their products have proven very reliable and now come standard with HESOLAR Installations.
SMA w/ Tigo: SMA has a great reputation but was slow to introduce a DC converter option.
Micro Inverters
Micro inverters are placed under the solar panels or come built-in to the frame (AC Solar Panels). These units have many similar benefits of DC optimizers with the added benefit of not having a single point of failure at the inverter.
The new IQ7 Micro Inverter line from Enphase has proven to be reliable in the Central Texas Heat. We will continue to monitor their performance as the technology ages.