what are inverters for solar panels

Investors for solar panels are a fundamental part in a photovoltaic system to produce electricity ready to be consumed in your home.

To take advantage of sunlight to generate clean energy that supplies the home, photovoltaic panels alone will not be enough. And it is that, any solar kit will need, at least, another key piece: the investor.

What are inverters for solar panels?

Storage batteries on the margin, which will also be necessary when you want to have 24-hour supply, a domestic installation without inverter simply can not use the energy captured.

That is the key but, so that there are no doubts, from Ecoinventos we review what an investor is and why it is essential to take advantage of solar energy.

What is the use of the inverter of a solar installation?

Are you looking for your computer, your television or your refrigerator to work with electricity obtained from the sun’s energy? Then, you need an investor in your domestic installation. Why? Because, as it was advanced, for any electronic device to work it is essential that the energy generated by the solar panels passes  from direct current to alternating current , which is what appliances, electronic devices, etc. work with.

In order for this conversion to be possible, any solar installation, however large or small it may be, will need an inverter that, however, can be of different types depending on several variables. Among them, a fundamental one is if the solar installation is with connection to the electrical network or outside the network.

Types of investors available.

Without being too technical, entering the type of available investors is necessary so that, who is considering moving to solar energy, at least have basic notions that can be adjusted more to their needs.

Therefore, regardless of the alternatives of greater size, and the different classifications that can be made of the investors depending on their power, operation or system configuration, among others, for domestic use should be started with a distinction starting: on the one hand, the inverters for installations without connection to the network and those for connected kits.

Thus, for installations outside the network, we would be facing  autonomous investors  with connection to photovoltaic panels and batteries for domestic storage. Thus, the investor would take the energy from the bank of batteries to, from there, convert it for consumption at home.

In the case of solar installations that are connected to the electricity network, the investors would become interactive, to operate as brains of energy management that, depending on the needs, would provide energy for the consumption of the panels, the network or, if included in the installation, of the batteries.

Within this second typology, the most common for domestic use are  chain inverters or string inverters  . They stand out for being centralized equipment that convert the energy captured for its use. Among its cons, that if a panel is not sufficiently exposed to the sun or works poorly, that will be the power of the investor.

Finally there would be what is known as an  energy optimizer . In this case, what is involved is a hybrid type investor who takes the best of one and the best of another. That is, it operates with the panels individually, although, unlike the previous case, energy is still managed centrally.

Location of the inverter and power.

Regarding the first question, there is not a single answer. However, the ideal would be for the investor to be located in a place that is easily accessible in order to maintain the device but which, in turn, is not available to those who may face risks with their handling, such as minors.

Apart from the above, it must be taken into account when placing its proximity to the electrical panel, as well as with solar panels. In addition, this device is usually heated, so any option that happens to box it in some area where the heat, instead of dissipating, accumulates, will not be recommended. Precisely for the same reason, if it was planned to be placed next to a source of heat, it would be better to discard this idea.

In addition to the above, other aspects must be taken into account, such as the noise that this equipment can generate in its operation. Therefore, a room, a bedroom or an area attached to the previous ones will not be as comfortable for the inhabitants of the house.

To finish, a final aspect that always worries. In addition, it is not rare that it does, since it is crucial for the operation and optimal use of a domestic installation.

What size investor do I need?

Well, the one whose power fits your photovoltaic solar system. This is not an easy matter. However, it is essential, since those who estimate low will not have enough energy to satisfy their consumption needs. Therefore, before taking any step, weigh well the size of your panels and your investor.

Tag-what are inverters for solar panels, what are micro inverters for solar panels, what are the best inverters for solar panels, what is a power inverter for solar panels,