Using A Solar Panel And Inverter

This is where your solar inverter comes in.

Using a solar panel and inverter.

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. Without a solar inverter energy harnessed by solar panels can t easily be put to use. The solar inverter is a device capable of converting dc into ac electricity. 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.

If you install the same sized array with a 5000 inverter the ratio is 1 2. 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. The most common method is to increase the loading to the panel lightly and to measure the power received from it. For example if your array is 6 kw with a 6000 w inverter the array to inverter ratio is 1.

When the cells in the solar panel produce electric energy the electric current flows to the solar inverter. A solar panel uses the photoelectric effect to convert the sun s energy to electricity. 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. Most homes use alternating current ac energy not dc so the energy produced by your solar panels isn t useful on its own.

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. 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. From the inverter the ac energy is ready for use to power the various appliances and lighting within the building. Inverters are typical components of solar electric systems since solar panels generate dc electricity and most devices used in homes or offices operate on ac voltage.

The inverter then converts the dc into ac. An inverter converts battery power collected from solar panels. Depending on its size a photovoltaic system could comprise either a single inverter or multiple ones. 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.