Grid Tied Inverters

Inverters are the single most important part of any solar system, they converts direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC).  Every home and business in the Rochester and the rest of New York uses AC power.  Inverters that integrated with the grid are called grid tied or a grid-tie.  

A synchronous grid-tie inverter takes the solar electricity collected by your solar panel array and applies it to the distribution panel in your home. The power may then be used by appliances within your home or it may flow out to the utility grid.  

The inverters DC input has to be matched with the current and voltage output of your solar panels.   Each grid tied inverter has specific voltages, and current levels in which they can function.   Each grid tie inverter is different, some have a maximum voltage of 500 volts and others can reach their maximum at 600 volts.   Some inverters like the Outback series function with higher current and lower voltages. 

Most grid tied inverters may also be called string inverters.  This is because they function with groups (strings) of solar panels.  These strings are put into series to increase their voltages to match the inverters input specs.  String inverters are the most common inverter in residential and commercial systems. 

A recent development and one of the biggest innovations over the past decade is the successful implementation of micro inverters.  In a system with a micro-grid tied system there is one micro inverter for every solar panel.   Micro-inverters are gaining market share as we will soon see many solar panel manufactures incorporating micro inverters right into their panels.   The micro inverters typically have a higher reliability, longer warranties, and greater system efficiencies.  All this improvement doesn’t come cheap.  Expect to pay up to a 20 percent premium for this additional performance.