Solar power systems consist of three important components: solar panels, batteries, and solar inverters. We often hear plenty of talk about what makes good solar panels, but without a high-quality solar inverter, those panels are useless. Middle Swan Solar is at the forefront of providing these premium solar inverters to residents and businesses in Perth, allowing them to make the most of their renewable energy systems by improving efficiency
The solar inverter is the part of the system that translates the direct current (DC) produced by the solar panels into alternating current (AC), turning it into functional electricity. Solar panels are useless without a solar inverter because they cannot turn DC into AC power and provide electricity to homes and businesses.
Inverters also make the solar power system work more efficiently because they produce minimal waste. Approximately 95% of the DC generated is translated into AC, optimising energy production and providing usable electricity as quickly as possible. Over the years, inverters have become more specialised, thanks to high-quality materials and improved construction processes.
Solar inverters come in a variety of different sizes to match the DC rating of your solar power system. The inverter size that you choose directly influences how efficient your solar panels are. It needs to be big enough to handle the power produced by the interconnected photovoltaic cells in the panels, otherwise energy will be lost during the conversion to AC.
If you choose the wrong inverter, your entire system will become inefficient and uneconomical, which defeats the purpose of using free, renewable energy to power your property. That’s why it’s always best to consult an expert and have them assess the power capacity of your solar system before you make a decision about the inverter.
In many cases, it is better to have a bigger solar inverter. The bigger the solar inverter, the more efficient and capable of handling powerful solar panels it is. Bigger solar inverters also have a higher maximum input voltage capacity. This means that they can sustain high levels of power without becoming damaged.
Bigger solar inverters are also great for those with fewer solar panels who may want to expand their systems in the future. Small inverters will need to be replaced if additional panels cause them to exceed their maximum input voltage capacity, and this is an extra expense that most people won’t want. A bigger solar inverter could save money long-term.
However, there are certain cases where choosing a smaller solar inverter is actually a better idea. For instance, if the property is located in an area that doesn’t get much sunlight, a big solar inverter won’t regularly work to its full potential and meet its expected maximum power output, leading to lots of wasted DC. In these conditions, a smaller inverter will keep the system efficient.
There are several things to take into account when choosing a solar inverter for your system. The first is, of course, the power of your interconnected solar panels, which is referred to as ‘solar array’. If the solar array is 5kW, the inverter must have a capacity of 5kW/5000w or more in order to meet demand and supply regular, non-wasteful AC power.
It’s a good idea to exceed the minimum and choose an inverter with at least 10-20% more capacity. However, don’t oversize the inverter further than that because this could lead to inefficiencies, especially if the panels won’t get consistent sunlight. A slightly oversized inverter is best because it also leaves room for more solar panels to be added in the future.
Even things as simple as the type of property matter. In Australia, residential properties typically use single-phase AC power, whereas industrial sites require three-phase power. As a result, industrial or other business solar power systems will require much bigger inverters than homes. It’s all about maximising the efficiency of the system with a compatible inverter, rather than blindly choosing the biggest inverter available.
If you need advice on which size solar inverter you should choose and want to purchase a premium option, we can help. Here at Middle Swan Solar, we’re dedicated to providing our customers with high-quality inverters that maximise efficiency and allow them to get the most out of their renewable energy systems.
We provide inverters in various sizes to match your residential or business needs, as well as a highly skilled team that will ensure the inverter is compatible with your solar system and handle the entire installation. Get in touch today to find out more about our first-class solar inverters.
Solar systems designed and installed for longevity using quality inverters and panels.
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