Inverters

A Solar Inverter or PV Inverter, is a type of electrical converter which converts the variable (DC} Direct Current output of a photovoltaic solar panel into a utility frequency (AC) Alternating Current that can be fed into a home to be powered and the excess electricity sent back to the utility grid.

Simply put, a String Inverter is a device for converting DC to AC power and which is designed for High Voltage DC Inputs. Using a String Inverter, the solar panel array, still typically rated at 12V, 24V or 48V each panel is wired in series, rather than in parallel. 

A Power Optimizer is a DC to DC converter technology developed to maximize the energy harvest from solar panels and String Inverters. This was invented to try to try to give String Inverters some of the new features and benefits of the new and improved technology Micro-Inverters.

A Solar Micro-Inverter, or simply Micro-Inverter, is a plug-and-play device used in solar photovoltaics, that converts direct current (DC) generated by a Single Solar Panel into alternating current (AC). There is one Micro-Inverter for every solar panel for much more control, production, flexibility, and the ability to track everything they produce with their MPPT technology.

A STRING INVERTER is the original product that got solar going. Who knows where RESIDENTIAL ROOF TOP SOLAR would be today without it. Today though it should only be used for commercial, industrial, or utility grid scale projects for cost reducing measures. As time goes on technology envolves and improves. Now STRING INVERTERS are yesterdays product. WHY? Because just like an old strand of Christmas lights when one bulb goes out the rest of the string have issues. The same applies to STRING INVERTERS. There are severe limitations to design patterns from panels having to be on a string. They cannot be expanded at a later date. If one panel is shaded, the rest of the panels have issues producing electricity. The only way to have more flexibility with a String Inverter and to give it some of the features and benefits of a Micro-Inverter is to add Power Optimizers. Using Power Optimizers will give you a bit more design flexibility, and give your panels the ability to do more seperately on the string, but it's not going to increase the string inverters length of life which is in between 10 to 15 years. Even if you get a lifetime warranty on your String Inverter and Power Optimizers, your workmanship warranty will probably expire after 5 years.w When your String Inverter goes out in between year 10 to 15 you'll have to pay your installer if their still around to come and take off you panels, put on new strings, and put your panels back on. The current going rate in Central FL is about $150 per panel. You need to consider what that price may rise to in 10 to 15 years. The average system size is about 30 panels. The String Inverter replacement fee with these averages are $4,500 at today's prices. It is not a matter of if, but when it's going to happen. Those that are fooled into installing String Inverters for an intial lower cost will pay thousand later to replace them once and potentially twice on the quality and manufacturer's warranty time your  solar panels. You don't want to go this route.

The ENPHASE MICRO-INVERTER are today's product. You have a MICRO-INVERTER dedicated to every panel of your system. Micro-Inverters make your system stackable where it can be expanded in the future. They have a 25 year product warranty, and a projected life span of over 100 years! They should still be producing power long after you and I are gone. They produce more electricity per panel, and if one were to go out the rest of them will continue to produce without issue. The ENPHASE ENVOY MONITORING SYSTEM connects to your HOME"S WIFI, as well as the electric company's SMART METER. The system will alert you if any of the panels are not producing properly, and which one specifically is having issues if the instance ever ever occurs. The monitoring system also lets you know each day how much electricity your SOLAR ARRAY has produced,  how much electricity your home has consumed, how much your battery storage was charged up if you have it, and how much electricity you put back into the grid through your net metering and smart meter connection.This Enphase Envoy allows you to learn about your electric usage habits and maybe helps you change some things you may be doing at home for additional savings. It also allows you to track reductions from any other energy efficiency improvements you make in the future. LEARN MORE ABOUT ENPHASE, AN ENPHASE ROOF INSTALLATION, MICROINVERTERS, ENPHASE ENLIGHTEN TRACKING APP IN THE VIDEO GALLERY BELOW

Inverter clipping occurs when your solar inverter has reached maximum capacity for power output. To avoid damage to the inverter or your home, it will “clip” any additional power your solar panels produce. So if an UNEXPERIENCED or DISHONEST INSTALLER puts a panel that has a larger wattage than your Micro-Inverter can handle, your inverters have an auto fail safe to get rid of the extra electricity. In this situation though you are losing power you were told your home would generate. That means you are also LOSING MONEY from this WASTED POWER. Look at the spec sheets below for the manufacturer's recommendations. We always stay a little under the recommended wattage to ensure there is never any power loss from clipping.