What is a Solar Water Heater? A Detailed Overview
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A photovoltaic system is incomplete without a PV or solar inverter. The photovoltaic cells generate direct current output, which you can’t use to charge your laptop or power an appliance.
Electronic devices run on alternating currents. That’s where a solar inverter comes into action.
A solar inverter is a device that converts DC into AC output which can smoothly power home appliances. In simpler words, alternating current is a standard form of electricity required for electrical circuits and domestic appliances. A solar inverter transforms the unusable energy output from solar panels into a usable form to run electronic appliances.
Solar inverters are classified into three types, and their type depends on how they connect with the PV panels.
Here, we will give an overview of the three types of solar inverters and their functionality.
All solar inverters work on the same principle. The DC power is transmitted to a transformer which then lowers the power voltage and converts it into AC. There are two transistors to deal with the DC output, and these transistors rapidly activate and deactivate to feed the two different sides of the transformer. Transistors regulate the electricity voltage in an inverter.
Regarding solar inverter types, there are three main categories: string inverter, micro-inverter, and power optimiser.
Here are the details of each inverter type.
A string inverter is a standard centralised inverter. It is the oldest form of inverter that has been used for decades. As the name indicates, strings connect the string inverter to the solar panels. Each solar panel has its string, and all the strings of multiple solar system panels are connected to a single inverter. A single-string inverter captures power from all cells and converts it into AC.
String inverters are cost-effective and work well in open spaces where there is no shade.
The drawback of a string inverter is that its performance declines if any shade obstructs the sunlight from a panel. For example, the whole array would be affected if one solar panel is not performing well. String inverters can not monitor the efficiency of individual solar panels. Moreover, multiple string inverters will be needed if the power load increases.
A micro inverter is a mini inverter fitted in an individual solar panel. Each solar panel has its own micro-inverter that transforms the DC power of each photovoltaic panel directly into AC output. With micro inverters, individual solar panels act like independent power sources.
Unlike string inverters, shades can not decline the overall performance of a solar power system. As each panel is independent, shade or obstruction will only reduce the performance of the affected panel, not the whole system. Single panel monitoring is available to detect individual panel performance. Moreover, a micro inverter is an ideal choice for residential use.
However, the micro inverter technology is new, that's why its cost is higher than string inverters.
A power optimiser inverter is a fusion of a string and a micro inverter. Just like micro-inverters, power optimisers are also attached to individual solar panels. But instead of converting DC into AC directly, the power optimisers optimise the current and send it to a central inverter for conversion.
Power optimisers are more efficient than string inverters, as a one-panel performance decline won’t affect the whole system. Moreover, with single-panel monitoring, consumers can check the performance of individual inverters. Power optimisers are less expensive than microinverters.
One drawback of the power optimiser is that its initial installation cost is higher than the other two options. Otherwise, it is the best of all inverter types.
Also Read: The Solar Panel Paradigm - Residential VS Commercial PV Systems
Solar power systems have three categories on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid. Based on the PV system type, solar inverters fall into three kinds: on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid inverters. Each of these inverters is specially designed to support the PV system type.
Here are the details.
On-grid PV systems are directly connected to the grid. The power generated by the solar system is transferred to the grid, and the grid power is supplied to the property through the inverter. In simpler words, the on-grid solar inverter acts as a mediator between the PV panels and the grid.
On-grid PV inverters are designed in a way to deal with the electrical arc or high-density electricity discharged from the grid. To keep homes safe, on-grid inverters have Anti Islanding Protection features that immediately shut down the power supply.
Off-grid PV systems are not connected to the grid and work on their own. Off-grid solar systems allow the consumer to use solar-generated electricity during the day. The excessive energy is stored in a battery that can be used at night. The off-grid inverter is also known as a stand-alone inverter. It is a two-way device between the PV cells and the storage battery.
In one scenario, the off-grid inverter converts the energy from solar cells and supplies the electricity to the appliances. In another scenario, it takes DC power from a storage battery and transforms it into AC for supply.
Hybrid PV systems have both grid connection and battery storage. The hybrid solar inverters are compatible with hybrid solar systems. Simply put, a hybrid inverter combines on-grid and off-grid inverters. It allows the consumer to store electricity in solar batteries and sell the extra power to the utility via net metering.
Choosing a PV system for a home depends on how much energy you consume daily, the available area for solar panel installation, and your budget. You must first select the power capacity and type of solar power system. Depending on that, you can choose the right kind of inverter.
Before going solar, consult with a professional solar integration company to get the best solution.
Also Read: Solar Energy for Homeowners: Comprehensive Details about Residential PV Systems
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