- green
The best solar panels to help your home
Inverters are a critical step in converting sunlight into usable electricity. We've covered key features and performance issues.
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- Overall better
SolarEdge Home Wave InverterCheck it out. - Substitute
Fronius Primo solar inverterCheck it out. - Best chance for money
Sungrow SG Premium InverterCheck it out.
Photo: isstockphoto.com
Solar panels and solar inverters work hand in hand. The former generates DC power, while the latter converts it into free AC electricity for use in your home. There are some exceptions where users only need DC power, but these cases are rare. A solar inverter is a must for most people who want to use the free energy of the sun.
Most solar inverters have a lifespan of at least 10 years, so early decisions have long-term effects. In this article, we'll examine the main features, share our product research (we carefully reviewed 15 from leading manufacturers to find the best), and offer advice from experienced installers. The result is a comprehensive review of the technology and a carefully curated list of the six best solar inverters on the market.
- Best Overall: SolarEdge Home Wave Inverter
- Second place: Fronius Primo solar accessory
- Fear of the Goat: Sungro SG Premium Inverter
- Best Hybrid: SMA Sunny Boy Inverter
- The best Microsoft : IQ8 Microinverter
- More versatile : Schneider Conext XW Pro Inverter
Photo: isstockphoto.com
How to choose the best solar inverters
Solar inverter installations can be incredibly diverse. In addition to options for home and workplace use, there are solar pump inverters that help supply drinking water to remote locations, as well as portable solar inverters for laptops and power tools. Regardless of its use, a solar panel inverter really only has one function: to convert the direct current (DC) generated by the solar panels into useful AC (alternating current) electricity. In this article, we will focus on models for home use. We analyze the efficiency, power, strength and compatibility of each model.
Geographical location often affects the performance of a solar panel, which in turn affects the amount of variable power. Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Western University in Pomona, California, and the Department of Information Technology and Innovation at the Ivy School of Business, Ph.D. According to Joshua M. Pierce, every location is unique and most people will consult an installer. "Ultimately, you have to trust your solar installer to do what they recommend," he says. "And before you choose one, you should get three quotes from people with experience in your field." There is also a useful document for those who want to build their own DIY system.
Our top choice
The following solar inverters are best in class and divided into categories to make it easy to narrow down your options to the specific type that best suits your situation and needs.
Product features
- Type: optimized string converter.
- Power: 3 kilowatts (kW) to 11.4 kW.
- Efficiency: 99 percent
Benefits
- Best-in-class efficiency (99 percent) means more solar energy reaches your home.
- Wide range of power ratings to accommodate panel arrays of varying sizes.
- It is compact and relatively easy to install thanks to its NEMA 4X housing designed for outdoor use.
defects
- Adding optimizers makes it one of the most expensive converters.
The SolarEdge Home Wave is an optimized string inverter, so although energy collection is done from a central point, each panel is individually controlled and regulated for maximum efficiency. In this case, that efficiency is 99 percent, which is the highest of any converter we've seen. Almost none of the solar energy is lost.
With power ratings ranging from 3 to 11.4 kW, the SolarEdge Home Wave Inverter can be used with solar panel arrays in everything from small homes to commercial installations. The unit is compact, so it easily fits into medium-sized spaces, and has a NEMA 4X enclosure for outdoor mounting if necessary. The warranty is 12 years, it can be extended to 20 or 25 years.
Find a SolarEdge solar inverter dealer on the SolarEdge website.
Product features
- Type: Chain Changer
- Power: from 3.8 to 15 kW.
- Efficiency: 98 percent
Benefits
- A highly recognized Austrian manufacturer with a reputation for quality and long-term reliability.
- Suitable for a wide range of installations from medium-sized homes to large commercial properties.
- Fast housing design allows for easy installation and maintenance.
defects
- Although the device can be installed outdoors, it is very large and heavy.
Fronius Primo is manufactured in Austria and the company is known for providing high quality and reliable devices. Wired transducers are the oldest type of transducer. Although often more cost-effective, their effectiveness may lag behind recent advances. However, at 98 percent, the Fronius Primo remains competitive.
The power level is very good, from 3.8 kV suitable for small and medium residences to 15 kV necessary for large industrial complexes. The portable box design makes installation and maintenance easy. Although the device is larger and heavier than many competitors, it is suitable for outdoor installation. The standard warranty is 10 years, it can be extended to 15 or 20 years.
Buy Fronius Solar Inverter from Fronius.
Product features
- Type: Chain Changer
- Power: 2 kW - 30 kW
- Efficiency: 98.2-98.5 percent.
Benefits
- Affordable and reliable from the world's largest solar equipment manufacturers.
- The LCD screen and smartphone app make it easy to monitor and update information.
- Large scale single-phase and three-phase systems are available for commercial users.
defects
- We couldn't find extended warranty periods, and Wi-Fi is optional.
SunGrow has been in business for over 25 years and is one of the world's leading manufacturers of solar panels, inverters and batteries. For our purposes, we've looked at their residential model, but also commercial and utility systems up to 352 kW.
The Sungrow SG Premium string inverter is very affordable, from 2 to 30 kW. And depending on the model, it offers 98.2 to 98.5 percent efficiency. Installation is easy, and the integrated LCD display and smartphone app provide a high level of monitoring and diagnostics.
The Sungrow SG Premium Inverter comes with a standard 10-year warranty. We understand that an extension is possible, but we have not been able to get the details. In addition, Wi-Fi, usually included in the package, is optional.
Find a Solar Inverter Dealer at Sungrow.
Product features
- Type: Mixed string converter
- Power: 3.8 to 7.7 kW
- Efficiency: 98.5 percent
Benefits
- The German-made device can be used for grid-connected or off-grid solar systems.
- Simple integration with solar backup to provide power at night.
- The compact and lightweight case makes it easy to find space
defects
- Its moderate power is not suitable for large solar panels.
Hybrid inverters like the Sunny Boy from German manufacturer SMA are a flexible and cost-effective solution that can be used in both on-grid and off-grid solar panel systems. They may not have as much power as some alternatives (the SMA Sunny Boy ranges from 3.8kW to 7.7kW), but they're easy to install and offer 98.5% efficiency.
One of the most attractive features of this model is that it can detect operational errors and automatically provide power when connected to a solar backup battery. SMA Sunny Boy is a compact device suitable for situations where space is limited. Provides extensive tracking and consumption data via Wi-Fi. The basic warranty is 10 years and can be extended up to 25 years.
Find an SMA Solar Inverter dealer in SMA.
Product features
- Type: Micro inverter
- Power: 0.24 - 0.366 kW (for one panel)
- Efficiency: 97-97.5 percent
Benefits
- Each panel has micro inverters that provide precise control and monitoring.
- The failure of one solar panel does not cause the failure of the entire system
- Expansion is easier than wire switches and the standard warranty is longer.
defects
- Efficiency is slightly lower than the competition and installation costs may be higher.
One of the first things many notice about the Enphase IQ8 microinverter is its relatively low power rating. But microinverters differ from string inverters in that each is connected to a solar panel only in the output power of the panel. Since most panels produce between 0.24 and 0.366 kWh, the Enphase IQ8 is sufficient for most installations.
The Enphase IQ8 microinverter has several advantages. This does not cause the entire system to fail if one solar panel fails, which can happen with string inverters. Microinverters are more efficient when installed at different angles, some panels are shaded while others are invisible and easy to expand as the user wants to change. However, when you connect to each panel, the installation becomes more complicated.
The Enphase IQ8 hybrid inverter comes with an industry-leading standard warranty that provides 25 years of warranty coverage at no extra cost.
Buy Enphase Solar Accessories from the Enphase Store.
Product features
- Type: Mixed string converter
- Power: 6.8 kW or 8.5 kW
- Efficiency: 94.8-95.1 percent.
Benefits
- It is versatile and can be combined with many different Schneider tools.
- Available in single-phase or three-phase models, suitable for grid-connected and stand-alone installations.
- It can also be used to control non-solar backup systems.
defects
- Limited power, average efficiency and one of the most expensive solutions.
Schneider Conext XW Pro is another hybrid converter. It can be used for both on-grid and off-grid installations and can be easily combined with solar panels for power backup. It can also be used to control energy without using solar energy when connected to a generator. Available in two sizes: 6.8 kW or 8.5 kW, the efficiency is 94.8 percent and 95.1 percent. The larger model can be configured for three-phase power.
What sets Schneider inverters apart is that they connect to other Schneider solar and power products to create a fully integrated system that can be controlled from a single app. This can include backup batteries, electric car chargers, smart electrical panels, smart switches and household outlets. The warranty is 10 years, it cannot be extended.
Buy Schneider solar panels from Signature Solar .
Go to our top picks
What to consider when choosing a sunbed
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a solar inverter system. The section below provides an overview of the main areas, but it may be useful to consult specialists to get the exact details for your home.
Compatibility
Normally, a solar inverter is selected at the same time as the solar panels. Therefore, compatibility is a fact. However, the type of solar panel may influence your choice. Some only work with converters from the same manufacturer. Some work with different converters, offering options in terms of performance and cost. In this regard, microinverters are particularly flexible and it may be useful to discuss with installers as an option.
output power
In general, the power of the solar inverter is equal to or greater than the power of the solar panels. This figure can be expressed in kilowatts instead of watts (W), but the conversion is simple: 1000 W = 1 kW. A margin of 15 to 25 percent is added to avoid problems such as "squeezing"; There, the inverter reduces power flow to prevent overloads and faults. Of course, this means that the house does not receive all the electricity produced.
Similarly, it does not make sense to exceed the number of watts generated. "Components that are too big or too small can hurt the system's efficiency and profitability," says Craig Edelman, CEO of solar installation company Edelman Inc. in Fairburn, Illinois.
Efficiency
The efficiency of a solar inverter is the amount of DC power that can be successfully converted from the solar panels to AC. This is expressed as a percentage. Peak efficiency is the most common measure, but it depends on the best conditions.
The California Energy Commission provides efficiency figures that take into account conditions such as cloudy days and may reflect better efficiency. It is recommended that manufacturers provide their equipment for independent testing, but it is not mandatory. The efficiency levels of both methods often give numbers above 95 percent, so the difference between the two levels can be subtle.
Types of solar panels
The type of solar panel affects its performance, life and cost. Three main types of inverters dominate the domestic market: the wire-optimized (also called wire-optimized) and the microinverter. Two other autonomous and hybrid converters should be mentioned.
While most solar inverters are single-phase, a three-phase solar inverter can make sense in high-demand situations.
String converters and optimized string converters
An array of solar panels is often called a string or an array. String inverters (or centralized inverters) provide a single collection point for all connected panels. Wired switches are a well-established technology and are usually very affordable. The main disadvantage of a string inverter is that if one or more panels are damaged or any fault occurs, the performance of the entire string can be affected.
A popular solution is to add an optimizer to each monitored panel to monitor and manage performance individually. This improves overall energy production. If a problem occurs in one panel, it does not always affect the entire system. Of course, adding amplifiers increases the complexity and therefore the cost of the solar inverter. Optimum chain and wire switches have an expected life of 10-15 years and can be extended with regular maintenance.
Micro inverters
Microinverters are independent units that connect to each solar panel. Although optimized string inverters still collect and convert energy at a single point, each microinverter independently solves this problem. If the solar panels are placed at different angles, this can be a great advantage, because people in partial shade during the day will not have a negative effect on others. If the panels can be added to a certain level, micro inverters are also a better option.
A microinverter solar system can last 25 years or more, but initial costs are high. In addition, the microinverters are located on the roof, while the string inverter is installed on the ground level. If one of them fails in the middle of the deal, it can be difficult to replace.
Stand-alone inverters and hybrid inverters
Off-grid solar inverters (also called inverter chargers) convert power from off-grid solar panels. In addition to converting DC to AC, a solar inverter can integrate batteries or a portable power generator for storage and use in various locations. Many commercially available DIY off-grid systems include a solar inverter kit.
As the name suggests, a hybrid solar inverter (or hybrid string inverter) can be used on-grid or off-grid, and the latter with batteries. In this case, in the event of a power outage, they are often automatically converted to stored energy.
Those looking for portable off-grid power can check out our article on solar generators (also known as inverter solar generators).
Frequently asked questions
We have covered some of the best examples of solar inverters available today. However, during our research, we came across some common questions that were not mentioned above, so we have provided the answers below.
Q. What size converter do I need?
The size of the inverter required depends on the power generated by the solar panels. It is important to equal or exceed the power generated by a set of solar panels; Otherwise, the inverter "cuts" (cuts) the gain to avoid damage.
Q. How does a solar inverter work?
Solar panels generate electricity with direct current, but everything in the house uses alternating current, which is more stable and safer. A solar inverter works by reversing the flow of DC current and quickly converting it back and forth to AC current.
Ask. How long do solar inverters work?
It depends on the type of investor. Corded transducers and optimized corded transducers last between 10 and 15 years, but regular maintenance can extend this lifespan. A microinverter solar system can last 25 years or more.
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