Microinverters:
Microinverters work well for facilities that have possible shading, snow, and requirement of multiple array orientations. These microinverters are essential to convert the Direct Current (DC) electricity that is produced to Alternating Current (AC) which is required for your home. They are the most efficient option out of the other inverters and widely used for roof-mounted systems.
One microinverter can be used to group several panels together depending on the type of inverter. The advantage of grouping several panels together is to be able to monitor those panels and see how much they have produced. That way you can track how much shading is affecting a panel. The shading on the panel can include leaves, bird droppings, and areas covered in snow on the panel.
The monitoring of the inverters can be done online through a mobile app and on your computer. They will send alerts in case when the facility is not producing the expected range. This allows troubleshooting a problem fairly quickly.
The only disadvantage to these inverters would be due to the increased requirement of components in the system which consequently increases the cost per potential malfunction.
String Inverters:
String inverters work with a series of panels linked together in a string and combine all the DC output generated from the panels to AC all in one shot. They function best for solar panel systems with a single orientation and limited shading. They are ideal for ground mount systems but can also be used for roof mount systems.
They are all-round less efficient than microinverters, but more affordable due to their single unit operational capability. There is no advantage to track individual panel performance. Subsequently, in the event of a potential malfunction of a panel in the installed system, it is harder to segregate which panel has failed for troubleshooting purposes. They are however the most efficient to convert DC electricity to AC electricity.
Also, the combined production from the panels generates a high voltage which may lead to unsafe conditions on some rooftop systems. Hence, this makes them more suitable for ground mount systems as the power lines are normally underground.
DC Optimizers:
DC Optimizers coordinate the DC electricity of every panel separately to align the output voltage of the panel with that of the string. They are used in combination with string inverters to maximize benefits for the system.
Similar to the microinverters, DC optimizers can also track individual panel performance as they are tied with each individual panel. Moreover, they are also good for areas where shading is anticipated and different orientations are required.
The DC optimizers also create a safer system than the string inverters as they can shut down individual panels in the event of overheating or voltage spike. But similar to the string inverter system, DC optimizers are also not fitting for some rooftop systems due to the power lines still at a high voltage.
So there you have it, the three types of inverters explained. Contact us if you need more information!