How to Choose the Best Solar Inverter?: A Buying Guide.
Power cuts are common in rural places due to a lack of infrastructure and distribution issues for electricity. However, power cuts can be a massive problem for businesses and industries that rely on electricity for production. According to a World Bank report, India has seen $84 billion in losses due to power distortions in 2016.
However, there is one solution to this problem- solar inverters. Over the years, businesses have tapped into alternative sources like solar energy for power distortions. So, power cuts can be past tense for your organization through a reliable solar energy company with reliable inverter-based solutions.
But, first, let’s understand what is the solar inverter is and how to decide which one to choose for your business requirements.
What is a Solar Inverter?
If solar panels are the muscles of your energy system, an inverter is a brain. It is a low-level processing unit installed to invert the DC or Direct Current into Alternating Current or AC. A solar inverter is like an interpreter that translates the DC into AC, which is an electrical language all the appliances or machines understand.
However, if you are new to solar inverters, choosing from the different types of solar inverters available in the market can be challenging. So, here is a guide on what are different types of solar inverter.
Types of Solar Inverters
There are three major types of solar inverters that you will find in the market.
1. String Invertor
Image Source: Green Ridge Solar
These are inverters connected to a string of solar panels that aggregate DC and then convert them into AC.
Pros-
- It is a centralized type of inverter.
- Lower installation cost and simplified setup.
- Prover performance as the oldest type of solar inverters.
Cons-
- Inefficient due to string setup as one shaded solar panel can hinder power across the system.
- It also offers system-level monitoring so you can’t track the individual performance of the solar panel.
2. Solar Inverters with Optimizers
Image Source: Green Ridge Solar
In this setup, all the solar panels have individual power optimizers that help optimize the energy further converted into a usable form of AC through inverters.
Pros-
- It offers distributed inversion of energy.
- All the panels are monitored individually.
Cons-
- More expensive than string inverters.
- Needs additional power optimization systems which add to the overall expense.
3. Microinverters
Image Source: Green Ridge Solar
Microinverters are individual units that invert DC currents directly on each solar panel into AC and then transmit it to your grid system.
Pros-
- Minimizes power losses due to shading.
- Easier to expand the solar inverter system through the addition of new panels without worrying about a string setup.
Cons-
- Highest in terms of costs.
- Higher maintenance and repairs are needed.
Now that you know what type of solar inverters are available. Let’s discuss other factors that influence the decision.
Power Requirements
Before you opt for a Commercial Solar Panel Installation in Vadodara or other such cities with excellent solar energy service providers options, you need an estimate. This is an estimate of the total power requirements. For example, if you are looking for a solar energy company to install a solar inverter for your home, here is what you should consider,
- A ceiling fan needs about 50–75-Watt power
- A table fan may need around 25-50 Watts of power
- A PC may need 80- 150 Watts of power
- A laptop that you may use at work from home may need 20- 75 Watts
- A 32 inches LCD TV will need 150 Watts
- A refrigerator may need around 160 – 250 Watts
Based on these power requirements, you can calculate further,
Power in Watts = Power in VA x Power Factor
This calculation will help you determine how much power a solar inverter needs to have for you to choose it.
Signing off:
With the exact idea of power needed and knowing all the types of solar inverters, choosing the most suitable one may be a little easier. Further, you can also select a solar UPS for uninterrupted power instead of an inverter. However, if you are looking for an industrial solar system in Vadodara with an inverter service, Electro Line is the best option.
It is a solar energy installation company in Vadodara that also offers services for inverters, UPS, and panels. Electro Line provides solar power solutions in Vadodara for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. So, why lose the golden opportunity to leverage solar energy when you have a reliable solar-based energy solution provider.
