Using A Solar Panel And Inverter

Multiple strings are connected to one string inverter.

Using a solar panel and inverter.

A grid tie inverter works by examining the output of the solar panels it s attached to and connecting its feed into the grid. When the cells in the solar panel produce electric energy the electric current flows to the solar inverter. String inverters solar panels are installed in rows each on a string for example if you have 25 panels you may have 5 rows of 5 panels. Without a solar inverter energy harnessed by solar panels can t easily be put to use.

Each string carries the dc power the solar panels produce to the string inverter where it s converted into usable ac power consumed as electricity. The array to inverter ratio of a solar panel system is the dc rating of your solar array divided by the maximum ac output of your inverter. The inverter then converts the dc into ac. A device called an inverter.

Sometimes mistakenly called a converter solar panel inverters deal less with voltage level and more with current type switching power from dc to alternating current ac what most home appliances use to function. When your solar panels collect sunlight and turn it into energy it gets sent to the inverter which takes the dc energy and turns it into ac energy. An inverter converts battery power collected from solar panels. For example if your array is 6 kw with a 6000 w inverter the array to inverter ratio is 1.

This electricity is generated at a voltage characteristic of the panel and is transmitted as direct current to a battery bank where it charges the batteries. From the inverter the ac energy is ready for use to power the various appliances and lighting within the building. If you install the same sized array with a 5000 inverter the ratio is 1 2. A solar panel uses the photoelectric effect to convert the sun s energy to electricity.

The solar inverter is a device capable of converting dc into ac electricity. Most homes use alternating current ac energy not dc so the energy produced by your solar panels isn t useful on its own. Depending on its size a photovoltaic system could comprise either a single inverter or multiple ones. A complication arises because the panel output is usually direct current not alternating current and it usually isn t at a voltage that an appliance can use.