Solar Inverter is an indispensable device used in any solar power system utilizing sunlight or solar energy. A solar inverter is useful in changing the DC (Direct Current) into AC (Alternating Current) using solar power. In other words, the solar inverter is used to change the variable Direct Current (DC) output of the solar products into Alternating Current (AC). And this AC power is pushed into your home to operate your appliances, be it a bulb, fan, or home system.
A solar inverter is just an inverter operated using energy from the sun, which helps several devices working by DC power to run them on AC power. In this way, the consumers can use AC power to operate their required piece of equipment. One can ask why to use Solar Inverter instead of using a normal electric one. The answer is simple - solar inverter makes use of solar energy or sunlight, which is clean and pollution-free.
Usage of DC current and AC current as per Application Areas
• Direct Current electricity from the solar inverter is used to operate LED light, a cell phone charger, Bluetooth speaker and many more small devices that require less power consumption.
• Alternating Current power from solar inverter is utilized for running your big appliances such as TV, refrigerator, and microwave, which require heavy power to run properly.
Advantages of Using Solar Inverter
• Helps in diminishing the impact of unnatural weather change as it works through sunlight
• Help in retaining ecological balance, and decreases the greenhouse effect
• Helps you to save money or electricity cost in the long run
• Known as a reliable and consistent source of energy that can change direct current (DC ) into alternating current (AC)
• Acts as multifunctional electronic device that uses to convert direct current into alternating current to help large energy consumers
• Beneficial for cost-efficiency, easy installation as compared to generators
• Easy to maintain as it works fine even with regular maintenance
Types of Solar Inverter
There are diverse arrays of Solar Inverters available in the market. Some of them are listed below.
1. Grid Tie Inverter or On-Grid Solar Inverter
Grid Tie Inverter or On-Grid Inverter is a type of solar inverter connected to the grid by using solar energy. It produces a pure sine wave that is compatible with the AC waveform produced by the grid. Grid Tie inverter is designed and developed in such a way to automatically turn itself off during the time of power losses to ensure safety or security. For this reason, this particular inverter is unable to provide emergency power during such times (when power not exists).
Grid Tie Inverter is also known as PV inverter that allows consumers to drive any unused or surplus solar energy, which your system has generated back into the grid. And consumers can or cannot receive a feed-in tariff for this electricity (depends on users’ electricity provider, and area of residence).
On-Grid Solar Inverter generally requires its arrangement to be installed with anti-islanding protection. Islanding is a kind of procedure where Grid Tie inverter are deceived and utility grid still functioning even if it has been turned off. It happens due to load circuits produces in the electrical system. When it comes to the cost of such a product, on-grid solar inverter price is varied from one brand to another, based on its capacity.
It is recommended to use Grid Tie solar inverter for home purposes, which can be powered by a utility grid to use a grid tie inverter in their solar system. Moreover this is highly beneficial for the consumers when it comes to electricity saving.
2. Hybrid Solar Inverter
Hybrid Solar Inverter performs the same function as a normal inverter does. It is another kind of inverter, which converts DC electricity into AC electricity that your home can use. It also can use in charging and discharging your solar battery bank.
A hybrid inverter with solar battery charging is a cost-effective solution and convenient to install as compared to other types of inverters (a standard string and battery inverter). The majority of hybrid inverters are installed without batteries, which provide you the flexibility to retrofit a solar battery in the future when required. Hybrid Inverter is known as a multi-mode inverter because it can use to plug batteries into your solar power system, and interfaces the battery by using a technique called DC coupling. People can purchase it as per their requirement as Hybrid Solar Inverter price is reasonable in India, irrespective of its size and volume.
3. Off-Grid Solar Inverter
Off-Grid Inverter is one of the categories of solar inverter, responsible for the conversion of DC (generates by the system’s panels) into AC electricity to use varied home appliances, and commercial equipment. Off-Grid Solar Inverter can transfer excess solar electricity into the grid for consumer’s future use. And, for this reason, Off-Grid inverter is used especially in remote areas, where the house owner can separate it from the grid as per his requirement.
The utmost benefit of using Off-Grid inverter solar system gives your home greater energy independence that means your home is no longer at risk to power disruption caused by the grid or electric tower. Off-Grid Solar Inverter comes with a built-in AC charger alternative, which is also beneficial for users by allowing them to connect it with a backup generator and charge any battery.
