Solar Power Inverters: What You Must Know About Solar Power Inverters

Solar power inverters play a critical role in your home solar installation.

Solar panels for home use typically include a number of photovoltaic modules (PVs).  One module by itself is not enough to produce the power you are likely to need, so a number of cells are they grouped together in what is called an array.

A solar PV array generates a direct current (DC) of electricity.  However, in North America at least, the electrical supply used is an alternating current (AC).  Our appliances and other electrical gadgets are set up to accept AC power. Therefore, your DIY solar panels require a solar power inverter to convert the current from DC to AC.

How the Conversion Works

The electricity that arrives at our homes is typically an AC current of 50/60Hz. (Some variations may occur among locations).  Electricity is usually delivered over long distances as AC rather than DC because this method is the most efficient way to curtail losses.

When we turn on an electrical device, the appliance may utilize the AC energy directly, but most use a small transformer to convert it back into DC.

If you wanted to use your home solar power directly without converting it into AC, you could do so, but you would have to rewire each electrical device that you use.  Some people experiment by building a little solar array that they use to operate only a few appliances, perhaps one or two lamps that they have rewired.

Cleaning Your Home Solar Electricity

Converting your home solar electricity from DC to AC is not the only function of your solar inverter.  It must also clean your electricity.

Since your home solar installation receives fluctuating quantities of the sun’s rays, it will generate differing amounts of power.

Consequently, your solar power inverter cleans this shifting amount of electricity into a more cohesive signal. At this point, the electricity you have generated for home use is very much like the power you purchase from the grid.

If your solar generator does not perform this cleaning, your current is ineffectual – even if you are using only DC wired appliances.  There are other approaches to cleaning your power signal, but the inverter is usually the preferred method.

Two Types of Solar Power Inverters

If you could see the AC current that we receive in our homes, it would appear to be an “up and down” sine wave. This is called sinusoidal.

There are two different kinds of inverters.

The first kind, called a “true sine wave” is both more costly and more dependable.

The second kind, called a “modified sine wave” or sometimes a “quasi-sine wave” comes with a lower price tag, but has a down side that you might want to avoid.

Some DIYers have found that the quasi sine wave inverters have occasionally delivered an overload with corresponding harm to certain electrical devices.  This happens because this type of inverter conveys current in the form of a simulated sine wave instead of a genuine sine wave.

It is unwise to skimp on the solar power inverter that you use in your installation.  These inverters are available with different specifications, including various ranges of input voltages and power outlets. The most costly inverters come with enhanced features including protection from overload, protection from shorts and a heftier design.

DIY guides are available to walk you through the steps of deciding the best inverter choices for our home solar power installation needs.

For additional information, please refer to Understanding Home Solar Panels