What is a solar inverter and how to choose the right one?

ÍNDICE

If you’re considering producing your own energy at home, it’s advisable to understand that a photovoltaic solar installation consists of several elements. The most well-known is perhaps the solar panel, which is a plate made of a material that converts the solar radiation that falls on it into energy. However, it’s often overlooked that energy production for self-consumption doesn’t solely depend on them.

A photovoltaic installation is a system composed mainly of two elements, both necessary for its operation and functioning. In addition to the panels, another very important component is the solar inverter. Below, we explain in detail what it is used for and how to choose the right inverter for your photovoltaic system.

What is a solar inverter and what is its function?

A solar inverter is responsible for transforming the direct current (DC) that comes from the solar panels into alternating current (AC), making the use of solar energy in the home compatible and safe.

This is because there are two types of electrical currents: alternating (AC) and direct (DC). The main difference between them lies in how electrons move within the conductive material to transfer energy from one point to another. But to understand it easily, just say that the conventional electrical grid operates with alternating current, that is, the one we have at home, and this is what household appliances require.

However, the energy generated by a photovoltaic system is direct current. To use this energy at home, the current must be the same type that powers the devices, otherwise, they will not work.

Thus, this transformation from one energy form to another is possible thanks to the inverter, which also receives the name of converter precisely because of this function.

On the other hand, another function of the solar inverter is to optimize the performance of the energy generated by the solar panels because it manages to distribute the energy among the different devices of the photovoltaic system. This means that what it receives from the solar panels it distributes to the house for use, but also if the house does not demand energy, it will dump it to the general electrical grid. Or, even, if this is our case, send the surplus energy to the battery for storage.

The inverter also serves to protect the installation. That is, if there is a short circuit, it has the capability to stop the generation of energy.

The inverter also serves as a device to collect and offer useful information to the user. Thus, we will know what energy production we have, the performance of the installation, and each of the installed panels. This way we will know if everything is working well and, if not, act as soon as possible.

For this fundamentally important task to be carried out successfully, it is advisable to choose inverters that meet quality standards and that the installation is carried out by certified personnel.

Is a solar installation possible without an inverter?

No, without the inverter a photovoltaic installation is not possible. Without it, energy cannot be supplied to household appliances directly, because it must be transformed from direct current to alternating current to be usable, as explained above.

It could be said that the inverter is the brain of the installation, as it not only transforms the energy but also distributes it intelligently.

A determining factor in this regard is what maximum transformation power our inverter will have. Because this will be the maximum amount of energy that our inverter can transform. There are inverters of many powers but it is advisable to choose a model suitable for our installation which will depend on our electrical needs.

To enjoy solar energy, the use of an inverter is indispensable. This component has technology designed to adapt the energy from the solar panels into electricity suitable for domestic consumption. However, not all inverters are the same, that is, they do not all perform the same functions. Choosing one or another will depend on the needs of our installation.

Types of inverters for solar panels

There are several types of inverters depending on the type of installation we have in our home. Although this can be changed, we must know that there are single-phase installations in which we will need to install a single-phase inverter. If, on the other hand, we have a three-phase installation, we will need to opt for a three-phase inverter.

There are also what are called microinverters, which means that each of the solar panels we install will have its own smaller inverter, managing that energy individually. This type of installation is interesting insofar as if one of the solar panels stops working, the rest will continue to function normally. The microinverter sends the energy directly to the central electrical panel of the home.

Another option is the inverters for solar panels in chain also known as strings. These are used when the solar panels are connected in series and grouped in branches sending all the energy to a single inverter. These are the most common and manage all the energy that comes from the panels at the same time.

This is as far as the device goes, but we should also know that the type of solar installation will also condition our choice of inverter.

Type of solar installation

In line with the types of inverters that currently exist, we must know that the typology of our overall installation will also affect our purchase decision, because not all present the same characteristics. Thus, there are, broadly speaking, three types of solar installations.

Inverters for grid-connected solar panels: For grid-connected solar panels this type of inverters are the most common because they are usually connected to the general electrical grid. These devices serve to transform energy from direct current to alternating current for home use but also have the particularity that they usually maintain the energy flow voltage higher than that of the general grid. In this way, they ensure that the home’s electrical system chooses solar energy by default making use of self-consumption. On the other hand, it helps to monitor energy production by managing our home’s demand at each moment.
Mixed battery and grid installation inverters: this type of inverters are also known as hybrid inverters. This is because, in addition to being connected to the general electrical grid, they have batteries in their installation. In this case, the function they perform is the same as in the previous ones, transforming electricity from direct to alternating current, however here their functions are more complex given that there are more elements in the equation. Overall, it must manage the energy flow between three points: the general electrical grid, the home, and the batteries.
Inverters for isolated installations with batteries: This type of installation is rare and usually occurs in places far from large cities. In these cases, the inverter is not connected to the general grid so, in addition to taking care of energy conversion, it helps provide part of the energy produced to the batteries, for storage. Because remember that solar energy is a free and clean energy source but it is only produced during the day, at night no electricity is generated. It is at these times when the inverter reverses the process and pulls the energy stored in the batteries to provide electrical service to the house.

Tips for choosing the most suitable solar panel inverter for you

As you can see, there are different types of solar inverters on the market. They are used both for grid-connected systems and for isolated photovoltaic systems. In this sense, we give you some tips taking into account four fundamental points: power, optimization, registration, and protection.

Power: The maximum power allows feeding household appliances at home simultaneously. Depending on the consumption habits we have, we will need more or less power in our home. In this way, you should take into account the contracted power to complement with the power you will add with your installation. On the other hand, in this calculation, you should consider possible future renovations, since you could need a higher energy flow.

Registration: Some inverters have options for registering the performance of solar panels, others do not. This aspect is very useful not only to know the amount of energy generated but to monitor its operation and detect faults in the installation individually.

Protection: In all electrical equipment, safety comes first. In this sense, adequate protection is necessary to stop the energy flow in case of a short circuit, both to protect your solar installation and to prevent damage to your appliances and the electrical circuit of your home.

As you can see, the inverter is indispensable to take advantage of the solar radiation generated by your panels. To have a clear idea of what type of inverter you need to install an efficient photovoltaic system in your particular case, request a personalized study with Sunhero and take the first step towards savings through renewable and sustainable self-consumption.

If you want to know how much you could save and the approximate cost of your installation, use our solar calculator and you will get all this information and more in less than 1 minute.