The Importance of a Solar Inverter
A solar inverter is an important part of your solar panel system. It converts direct current (DC) electricity from the panels into alternating current (AC) power that is suitable for home appliances.
Solar inverters can be used to either power your home directly or store the energy in a battery for use at a later time. They also have many useful features to monitor your solar energy output & performance online, as well as communicate with the grid.
It converts direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity
The electricity produced by a solar panel’s photovoltaic cells is direct current (DC). It’s not compatible with the electrical outlets in your home, so you have to convert it to alternating current (AC) before it can be used to power appliances.
Inverters convert DC electricity into AC by sending it through a transformer. This transformer forces the electricity to switch directions constantly – which is what creates alternating current (AC) energy.
Unlike DC, AC can be controlled so that it flows at a consistent voltage in one direction and switches to another regularly (or at regular intervals or cycles). It also can be transmitted through a wire or other conducting material that doesn’t get damaged by heat.
An inverter can be a stand-alone unit or part of an integrated system that includes a battery and other components. It’s the most likely component in a solar energy system to fail, so it needs to be replaced periodically (typically every 5-10 years).
Most inverters are available in two flavors: true/pure sine wave inverters and modified/quasi sine wave inverters. The former are good for generating the kind of smooth, on/off-switching alternating current that’s supplied to homes in most places.
They can also be used to generate a more stable DC input for use with electronic devices. These devices use electronic components called inductors and capacitors to make the output current rise and fall more gradually than the abrupt, on/off-switching square wave that you get from a basic inverter.
Inverters can also be designed to communicate with the grid and monitor a system’s performance. They can do this by sending data to a computer network that’s connected to the Internet. This means that you can check on the health of your inverter from anywhere in the world using a web browser.
It stores the energy in a battery
Solar panels capture sun rays and send them to a solar inverter, which converts DC energy into alternating current (AC) electricity. This power can be used in your home, or sent to the grid.
You can store the electricity produced by your solar panels in a battery. This allows you to use it when your solar panels aren’t producing as much energy, or during peak times when the utility rates are higher.
Some inverters are specifically designed to work with batteries, either in an off-grid or hybrid capacity. Hybrid inverters can function independently of the utility in the event of a grid outage, and many also feature performance monitoring and an app for managing your system.
There are three main ways to store your solar inverter solar electricity: with a battery, an AC Coupled System or a hybrid inverter.
The simplest way to store your solar energy is with a battery. These come in various sizes and voltages, depending on your specific needs.
Batteries are typically sized in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is the amount of energy they can hold. They are also rated in amp-hours per 20 hours, which is how long it would take to deplete the battery of its energy.
To make sure the battery lasts as long as possible, you should choose a model with high usable capacity. That means the battery can be discharged at low charge levels without shutting down.
The best inverter for your solar system depends on your budget, your lifestyle and the type of energy you want to use. We recommend working with a reputable and CEC approved installer to ensure the inverter you buy meets your specific requirements.
It protects the battery from overcharging
Overcharging the battery can damage it. It reduces the capacity of the battery, reduces its lifespan and reduces the power output of your solar system.
Over charging can also stress the inverter and cause problems with your loads (lights, appliances). Fortunately, there are several ways to protect the battery from overcharging:
A charge controller regulates the flow of energy from the solar array to the battery, which helps prevent overcharging. The most common types of solar charge controllers are shunt regulators, series regulators, pulse-width modulation regulators and microprocessor-based PMT regulators.
Shunt regulators control the connection between the solar array and the battery by closing the circuit, so that the solar array cannot send energy to the battery until the battery is fully charged. Shunt regulators can also pulse the current to keep the battery full.
Series regulators are different from shunt regulators because they allow energy to pass even as the battery is almost completely charged. When the battery reaches its full charge, the series regulator breaks the circuit.
Pulse Width Modulation Regulators are slightly different from series regulators in that they adjust the flow of energy, keeping it even as the battery reaches full charge. In addition, pulse width modulation regulators use a transistor to determine how much energy should pass through the circuit.
MPPT Regulators are more expensive than PWM regulators, but they are more efficient and less stressful on your batteries. They convert DC electricity into AC voltage and then reconvert it back to DC voltage again at a level that matches the battery.
The most important function of a solar charge controller is to regulate the amount of energy that comes into the battery. This ensures that the battery does not overcharge and overdischarge.
It protects the battery from overheating
A solar inverter protects the battery from overheating by switching off or reducing power output to reduce the amount of heat produced. This reduces the chance of damaging sensitive components and prolongs their life.
The batteries in your solar system need to be kept cool, because their electrolytic capacitors are very sensitive to temperature and can become damaged when exposed to high temperatures. Fortunately, solar inverter most batteries have a recommended operating temperature and derate (reduce their power output) when they get too hot.
Many inverters also have internal sensors that can detect when the temperature inside the unit exceeds a set temperature. They can then give an alarm signal to remind you to cool down the unit before it gets too hot.
Another way a solar inverter protects the battery from heat is by using a fan to circulate air around it and cool down the unit. A fan can help keep the unit cool by removing any dust and dirt that may be on it.
Some inverters can also be programmed to cut off charging if the battery voltage gets too low, usually after 10 hours of charge. This is to avoid shorting out the cells, which will damage them and cause a battery fault code.
In addition, a solar inverter can prevent excess electricity from being transmitted to the grid, which could harm line workers who are checking or repairing it. The inverter can then send the extra energy back into the panels, into the batteries or into a dump load to use as needed. This is an important safety feature, as it helps protect your solar panels and your household from being impacted by power outages.
It communicates with the grid
The solar inverter is a crucial part of any solar energy system. It converts the DC electricity generated by the panels into AC, which is then used to power various appliances and circuits in the house or business. Without the inverter, the energy produced by the solar panels would be worthless.
A smart inverter can communicate with the grid, and use advanced software to support grid services. It can do this by monitoring voltage and frequency, and responding to changes in them.
In a typical grid-tied solar system, excess energy generated by the solar panels is sent back to the utility grid through an energy meter or stored in a battery storage system. This is called ‘Net metering’.
This can mean that you import less electricity during the summer and export more in winter. In this way, your solar power production balances with your electricity usage.
New inverters can also respond to disturbances on the grid, like voltage or frequency changes, by remaining on and riding through them. The inverter assesses the duration of the disturbance and turns off if it persists.
As a result, the grid operator can better control electricity transmission and maintain system-wide balance. In addition, smart inverters can help stabilize the grid by using advanced software to monitor voltage and frequency, and use these values to adjust their output.
As a result, solar inverters are becoming more sophisticated than ever before. They have a wide range of functions, including maximum power point tracking and anti-islanding protection. They can also be connected to battery backup inverters, which can supply alternating current in the event of a grid outage or power failure.