Micro Inverter for Increased Efficiency
A microinverter is an inverter that converts DC power to AC power at the individual solar panel level, rather than using a centralized inverter like traditional string inverters. Microinverters have gained popularity in the solar market due to their ability to instantly convert DC power generated by solar panels to AC power. Here are some key advantages and disadvantages of microinverters:
Advantages of micro inverters:
Self-contained system: Each microinverter paired with a solar panel forms a self-contained solar PV system. This allows for flexibility in system configuration and orientation.
Panel-level monitoring: Microinverters isolate the output of each individual solar panel, enabling monitoring at the panel level. This helps identify underperforming panels and allows for immediate troubleshooting and maintenance.
Scalability: Microinverters can be implemented on a small scale to match a budget and expanded as needed in the future. Additional solar panels can be easily added by connecting them to their own microinverters.
Safety: Microinverters convert DC power into AC power instantly, eliminating the safety risks associated with high-voltage DC electricity. This makes them a safer option for residential installations.
Longer warranty: Microinverters typically come with longer warranty periods compared to string inverters. For example, microinverters often have a 25-year warranty, while string inverters typically have a 5-year warranty.
Real-time power generation tracking: Microinverters, equipped with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controllers, track the real-time solar intensity and temperature of the solar cells. This allows for better optimization and overall performance of the panels.
In conclusion, microinverters offer advantages such as panel-level monitoring, scalability, safety, and longer warranties. They are particularly beneficial in situations where shading or dirt on one panel can affect the overall output of the system. However, it's important to consider the higher cost and installation complexity compared to string inverters, especially for larger systems.