Yash
The top manufacturers are offering a compact, sleek design, easy-to-install solar inverters.
These are loaded with advanced features like real-time monitoring of the performance of the solar power system remotely.
Also, they are implementing new technologies to achieve the highest efficiencies.
Therefore, making them the best on-grid solar inverters for homes, available in the market.
The solar inverter is the brain and hence the most sophisticated part of the grid-tied solar power system.
The inverters are located outside the house along with the solar power system.
They face harsh weather conditions like wind, heat, rain, the humidity making them more susceptible to failures.
The malfunctioning of the inverter impacts the working of other parts and may result in a complete shut-down of the system, affecting the overall profitability of the solar power system.
Therefore, to prevent this situation, it is advisable to place your inverter under the shed outside your house.
By looking at the importance of its functionality, it is better to spend extra bucks and have the best quality solar inverter for your solar power system.
Before moving ahead, let’s get the inverter basics clear.
Function of the solar inverter
It is the interface between the solar panels and your electrical appliances. Its basic function is to invert or convert the direct current produced by the solar panels into alternating current.
“You know most of our electrical devices run on the alternating current”
Why alternating current?
interested in knowing the difference
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Now, we know the basic function of the inverter.
It is time to know different types of solar inverters:
Types of solar inverters
First of all, it is important to know about the grid-tied solar power system.
The solar power system is connected to the utility grid supply.
The benefit of this system is that you’ve 3 sources of supply:
- Sunlight
- Batteries
- Grid supply
Moreover, if your system is producing extra units during the day then they can be fed to the grid through net metering.
There are basically 2 arrangements of connecting the output of the solar panels with the inverter:
Central Solar Inverters
In the first arrangement, all the solar panels are connected with the string.
When their collective DC output is fed as an input to the inverter, this inverter converts this DC into AC current.
Inverters that support this type of arrangement are called string inverters.
This is best for those who are looking for cost-effective solutions and have ample shade-free areas.
Micro Solar Inverters
While in the second case, a small inverter is attached at the back of every solar panel in the string.
And the output of each panel is combined and fed to the electrical appliances.
These small inverters are called micro inverters.
If any one of the solar panels is not performing well due to shading or any other reasons.
The output of the other performing panels is not affected as it is in the case of string inverters.
Another category is hybrid inverters.
In which the solar inverter and the battery are integrated into one large unit.
So that they can provide a basic level of backup in case of a complete blackout.
Power Optimizers
The last category is power optimizers,
Power optimizers are like DC to DC converters.
They take DC power (Power = Volate x Current) as input from the solar panels.
And convert it to different voltage and current that is best suited to the central/string inverter.
These power optimizers are installed on each panel.
But they do not convert dc into ac at the individual panel level as it happens in the case of microinverters.
This process makes the string inverter get a smooth DC energy as an input, helping it to convert into AC energy more effectively.
However, power optimizers are less costly than micro-inverters.
If you choose to install panels with micro-inverters then you need one micro-inverter for each panel.
Whereas in the case of power-optimizers the central inverter remains the same.
Thereby it is cost-effective than the micro-inverters.
But on the other hand, the Micro-inverters have a warranty for 25 years.
But the central inverters come with a warranty of 10-12 years.
Therefore, the extended warranty compensates for the increase in the cost of the micro-inverters.
5 Best ongrid solar inveters
1) Fronius Primo: String Inverter
2) SMA Sunny Boy: String Inverter
3) SolarEdge with HD-wave technology: Power Optimizer
4) Enphase IQ7+: Micro Inverter
5) (ABB) FIMER UNO DM Tl Plus Q: String Inverter
1. Fronius Primo string inverter
This compact single-phase inverter is ideal for residential solar applications.
With a power range of 3.0 kW to 8.2 kW, achieving maximum efficiency of 97.9%.
Features
- It is a single-phase with transformer-less technology that eliminates the leakage current. Hence improving its overall efficiency
- Dual MPPT technology (voltage range 200 – 800 volts) is able to track a wide range of DC input from the solar panels and effectively accommodate the output of the inverter.
- Arc fault protection
- NEMA rating 4x: It gives you protection against dust
- Operating temperature range: -40 degrees to 55 degrees
- Controlled forced ventilation with variable speed fan: The fans regulate the air circulation inside the inverter and are more effective in extracting the heat from the right places. Its variable speed control system matches the fan speed with the requirements. Therefore saves energy, are economical, and have reduced sound levels
- You can monitor the performance of the solar power system through the internet connected to the inverter.
- 2. SMA Sunny Boy: String Inverter
This German product is going to give you 100% ease and comfort with its maximum efficiency of 97%.
Features
- Compact design and Great web-interface letting you commission fast via smartphone.
- Its integrated software shadeFix optimizes the energy yield even in shades.
- Transformer-less technology
- Cooling method: The surrounding fluid carries heat away the hot object and cols it down.
- Degree of protection: IP65: dust-tight and protected against water projected from a nozzle
- Operating temperature: -25 degrees to 60 degrees
- SMA smart connected system is free monitoring of inverter via the SMA sunny portal.
- In case of a technical fault, SMA proactively communicates the same to the PV installer and the operator, saving valuable time and cost.
3. Solar Edge HD wave technology: Power Optimizers
These are not conventional string inverters rather use power optimizers to separately handle the maximum power of the individual panel.
In case anyone or two panels in the string are shaded or are not performing well due to other reasons.
The output of the other panels will not be affected as they have their own power optimizers connected to them.
The central single-phase inverter is only responsible for the inversion of DC to AC.
The fixed string voltage resulted in high efficiency up to 99%.
Features
- High reliability due to lower heat dissipation
- Its HD wave technology helps in reducing magnetic current inside the inverter and produces a clean sine wave for the smooth running of your electrical appliances.
- Built-in module-level monitoring
- IP65
- Up to 155% oversizing allowed
- Range: 2.2 kW to 6 kW range
- Warranty: 12 years extendable to 20 or 25 years
4. Enphase IQ7+: Micro Inverter
These IQ7 microinverters are based on a 7th generation platform for achieving the highest efficiency.
Features
- Higher production and greater reliability
- Module compatibility: 60 cells and 72 cells
- Each panel perform independently
- Envoy is software collects real-time data from micro-inverters for monitoring the performance of the solar power system. It communicates in both directions, meaning that it delivers system updates from the internet to the micro-inverter, helping in resolving the issues remotely.
- One non-performing panel won’t affect the performance of the whole system.
- Burst technology enables the micro-inverter to produce good output even in low sunlight conditions.
- Rigorous product testing in the industry
- 25 years warranty
5. ABB Fimer UNO DM TI Plus Q: String Inverter
Fimer offers a wide range of solar inverters meeting any type of solar energy needs.
It offers string inverters from small to large solar PV applications with a range of 1.2 kW to 175 kW.
However, for residential purposes, a single-phase solar inverter with a range of 3.3 to 5 kW is suitable for homeowners.
Features
- Dual MPPT trackers
- Temperature range: -25 to 60 degrees
- Transformer-less technology
- Max efficiency: 97%
- Compact design and easy installation
- The residential owner can monitor remotely the performance of the solar power system
- The inverter can easily be integrated with any third-party control and monitoring system
Conclusion
The above solar inverters are rated on the following parameters:
- Quality
- Reliability
- Service and support
- Real-time performance Monitoring
- Warranty and Price
There is no number 1 or number 2 but all of these solar inverters are the best in their categories.
However,
The selection of any type of inverter mainly depends on:
- Solar energy needs
- Budget
- Space constraints
- Availability of the product
Please let me know in the comment section below which one you are going to choose and why?
Thank you
Yash:)
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