The invention of Solar Panels is a revolutionary change in the process of sustainable development. Solar energy is a renewable, affordable, and inexhaustible source of energy. Hence, almost all of this renewable energy is not put to use. It is said that – Solar energy is so cheap that it can be wasted and we are doing the exact same thing. In retrospect, it is high time that we start utilizing solar energy which is available in abundance.
It is widely known that investing in solar energy is a significant one-time investment. It is proven that solar energy can reduce the consumption of electricity, and as a result – the electricity bill. Being the most abundant renewable source of energy, it can be seized and used in several ways.

What is a solar inverter?

Although solar energy is available in abundance, it still needs convertible equipment to put this energy to proper use. Hence comes the role of solar inverters. Solar inverters are the most essential element of a Solar panel system.
The energy received from the sun is stored in the batteries in the form of direct current (DC). This stored energy is then converted into electrical energy i.e. alternating current with the help of solar inverters. In other words, solar inverters convert the variable direct current into alternating current, so that it can be used as a power supply. All the appliances run on alternating current and therefore these inverters play a very prominent role in the utilization of solar energy.

For using solar energy as the main source of energy, solar panels are installed with solar inverters. Before installing solar panels at your home, it is necessary to pick a size for solar inverters. The size of the inverter is really important to consider before installation.

Why is it important to consider the size of the inverter?

Being the most important component of a solar panel system, its variability is determined by its size. In the matter of installation of a solar panel, the size of the inverter is the most important factor that needs to be considered. The size of the inverter plays an important role in overall electricity production and as a result it affects the supply.
The size of the inverter depends on the DC rating of the solar panel. It is a general rule that the size of your inverter should be similar to the DC rating of your solar panel system. It is important because in the solar panel converter, the capacity of the inverter should be enough to handle DC electricity.
The installation services come with guidelines and it is the duty of the vendor to educate their clients about the dependability of electricity supply on solar inverters.

How to determine the inverter size?

Solar inverters come in various sizes depending on the DC rating of the solar panel. They are available in different sizes – big and small. Solar panels are rated in Watts. Similarly, a solar inverter is also rated in Watts (W). Due to the fact that your solar energy system will be producing and transmitting DC electricity to your inverter, you’ll need an inverter that can handle the load and convert it to AC power. This necessitates understanding how to appropriately size an inverter.

Given below are the factors that determine the inverter sizing.

Factor determining the size of solar inverter:

Geography

Geography plays a very important role in sizing your solar inverter due to its impact on the production of solar energy in the solar panel system. An area with high temperature is expected to have a large amount of solar radiation. Thus this area produces more power (electricity) as compared to an area with low temperature (further north).

As these areas differ in temperature and solar radiation, they will produce different amounts of DC at a given point of time. Hence, the solar inverters needed to convert the electricity load will also differ in size.
Under typical heat conditions, the solar inverter is likely to produce maximum output with it’s listed DC ratings. In such a case, a small sized inverter will be convenient for the job.

Site Conditions

Another key consideration is the location. Solar PV inverter sizing is influenced by the solar array’s design and installation area. The inverter is directly affected by the tilt of solar panels, as it affects the amount of electricity produced.

Other environmental conditions such as dust or moisture will also affect the electricity production in solar panels. These factors cause hindrance in the amount of sunlight that reaches the array.
The installation comes with equipment efficiency to overcome these problems. But these factors are also important for consideration as these affect electricity production.

Size of Solar array

This is considered to be the most important factor for sizing a solar inverter for the solar panel system. The inverter must be able to handle the whole amount of DC electricity generated by the solar array.
The inverter must have the same size as the DC rating specified on the solar panels. For example, when installing a 6-kilowatt solar energy system, the chosen invert should be about 6,000W, give or take a few watts.
The size requirements for inverters are normally listed on the product sheet, along with the array capacity they can handle. Remember that using the incorrect size will void your warranty.

What is inverter Staking?

Inverter stacking is a technique of wiring two or more inverters to increase the output voltage or power. When wired in series, it raises the output voltage of the system. When two or more circuits are connected in parallel, it leads to a rise in wattage.
But it is necessary to note that the inverters being stacked are compatible.

Microinverters :

A microinverter is a device that converts solar modules’ DC output into AC that can be used in the home. As the name suggests, these inverters are comparatively small. These inverters are really small in comparison to the typical inverters. Microinverters are usually placed under each solar panel, in a ratio of one microinverter for every 1-4 panels.

Takeaway:

The best way to ensure that your solar inverter is sized appropriately is to work with a professional and qualified solar installer. With the help of technical experts and a proper understanding of the solar panel system, you will be able to get the correct sized inverter. These experts will ensure that your solar array and inverter are properly designed and installed according to your supply needs, location, equipment, etc.