Enphase Energy Inc.
09/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2024 02:57
Solar inverters guide: How to decide what’s right for you
How to choose your solar inverter system
With the goal of maximizing electricity production and long-term savings, choosing the right inverter is a critical step in the solar energy system design process. To find the right solar inverter or inverters for your installation, you must consider several specific features of your property, including your energy demand, roof complexity, and whether shading will affect your system's performance.
Learn more about solar and shade.
String inverters vs. microinverters
Although string inverters are generally cheaper upfront and at scale, microinverters can often deliver more long-term value for a residential or commercial solar energy system. Premium microinverters are designed to last as long as your solar panels and maximize energy production in systems affected by shading or variable panel performance.
At the end of the day, the choice between a central inverter system or a microinverter design should be made with the help of a professional solar installer. As ultimately this decision will be based on your individual circumstances, it's typically worth examining all system design options before you move forward with an installation.
Learn more about why microinverters may be a better choice.
Choosing the right inverter capacity
In both string inverter and microinverter-based systems, installing the right equipment capacity is essential to optimize your solar production without overspending on project costs.
If you're installing microinverters, finding the right capacity is easy because each unit is connected to a single solar panel. To harness the maximum usable solar energy from sunlight, your microinverter's DC input and AC output capacities must be appropriately sized to optimize electricity generation.
Likewise, finding the right string inverter capacity follows the same logic, but at scale. Your central inverter system should be rated to handle all the electricity your panels are expected to generate in ordinary operating conditions. While it's easier to add solar panels to your system later with microinverters, choosing the right string inverter before your installation is critical, as central inverter systems are typically built-to-suit without the capacity for expanded solar generation.
Use our online tool to find the right sizes for your solar energy system components.
Batteries, grid-tied solar inverters, and hybrid systems
Whether or not you plan to include battery storage in your solar energy system will also influence your inverter selection. Today, most solar systems installed for homes and businesses are grid-tied, in that they contain an inverter that can send excess electricity production to the utility power grid.
Beyond your basic grid-tied inverter, a hybrid inverter can be used to send electricity back and forth between your home, solar battery, the utility grid, and occasionally other power sources like gas generators.
Enphase IQ Microinverters offer full energy independence with easy integration of solar storage, EV charging systems, and more.
Next steps: Talk to a professional
Ultimately, to guarantee the safety of your system and investment, finding and installing the optimal solar inverter should be done with the assistance of a certified professional. In fact, legally, most PV solar designs must be approved by a licensed electrician prior to approval from local utilities and building authorities.
By consulting multiple installers serving your area, you can narrow down the perfect solar energy solution for your property with components specifically selected to maximize efficiency, performance, and long-term value.