Solar panels produce DC electricity. The role of inverter is to convert the DC into the 240 volt AC electricity, needed to supply power for standard appliances.
The efficiency of an inverter is measured by how well it converts the DC electricity into AC electricity. This usually ranges from 95% to 97.5% for most models. Inverters are sized according to the power (watts) they can supply as AC output.
As is the case with solar panels, not all solar inverters are equal
Obviously, the more efficient the inverter the better – as less electricity will be wasted as heat during the conversion from DC to AC.
While the inverter efficiency claimed by a manufacturer may be high, in reality
it may not be. The only way to be sure you’re buying quality is if the inverter has real world examples of the performance of their equipment, validated by independent third party testing.
You can choose between a standard string inverter, Micro inverters where the small inverters are mounted behind the panels on the roof, and a battery ready hybrid inverter. The different types of inverters all have specific uses and we will assist in choosing what is best for your needs.
Industry leading solar inverters for grid connect systems in Australia are, Enphase, Fronius, Sungrow, Delta and SMA. Be cautious of generic type brands, they are cheaper, but will cost more in the long term. The solar industry has had major issues with poor quality inverters failing mostly from a “cheap” installation. As a rule of thumb, don’t cut corners on quality when it comes to inverters.
