How to choose a home photovoltaic inverter

How do I choose the right solar inverter?

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.

What are the different types of solar power inverters?

There are four main types of solar power inverters: Also known as a central inverter. Smaller solar arrays may use a standard string inverter. When they do, a string of solar panels forms a circuit where DC energy flows from each panel into a wiring harness that connects them all to a single inverter.

Can I add solar panels later with a microinverter?

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.

Which inverter is best for a photovoltaic system?

String inverters are cost-effective and suitable for installations with consistent sunlight exposure across all panels. Microinverters are the smallest inverter out of the 4 types, designed to operate at the individual panel level in photovoltaic systems.

Does a solar inverter have a monitoring system?

Most solar inverters come with a solar monitoring system that allows you to track the performance of your solar panels online or with a smartphone app. This can include real-time data on power output, overall energy production, and system health.

Is a solar inverter a converter?

A solar inverter is really a converter, though the rules of physics say otherwise. A solar power inverter converts or inverts the direct current  (DC) energy produced by a solar panel into Alternate Current (AC.) Most homes use AC rather than DC energy. DC energy is not safe to use in homes.