The sun is a powerful source of energy. It’s clean and renewable, which makes it the perfect solution for energy production in the 21st century. However, a solar panel system connected to the grid can only be as effective as the inverter you use with it. What is an inverter? What do a Grid Connected Inverter do? Why do I need one? Will it improve my power bill? These are all questions that we will address in this article so that you can make an informed decision when choosing between grid connected and off-grid power solutions.
An inverter is a vital component in an on-grid solar power system.
An inverter is a vital component in an on-grid solar power system. An inverter changes the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) power. The AC power can be used to operate appliances, lighting and other electrical devices inside your home or business.
Inverters also convert AC power back into DC electricity when the battery storage system needs charging. This happens when you are not using up all of your stored energy, at which point the excess power goes back through the inverter to charge up your batteries again.
Micro Inverter VS String Inverter
Micro inverters are used in residential solar power systems, while string inverters are used in commercial solar power systems. Micro inverters are more expensive than string inverters, but they also have higher efficiency and reliability ratings.
How to choose the right Inverter for your on-grid solar panel system?
The next thing you need to look for when choosing the right inverter for your on-grid solar panel system is its specifications. The most important parameters that you should consider include:
Voltage range
This parameter defines how low and high voltage an inverter can handle. If your grid connection voltage is anything less than 132kV, then a wider voltage range will be required by your inverter, especially if it will be connected to other equipment or buildings in the future.
Efficiency level
Inverters are rated based on their efficiency levels which can be expressed as a percentage or watts per kilowatt (W/kW). Inverters with higher efficiency levels tend to cost more but may offer better performance and durability over time.
Power capacity rating (VA)
This specifies how much power the device can convert from DC electricity into AC electricity before it needs recharging or replacement of batteries inside it. It also determines how much load you can connect to it without overloading its capacity limits and damaging components inside the unit itself
Option 1 – Grid Tie/Grid Feed Inverter (GTI)
Grid Tie Inverter is a type of inverter that can be used with on-grid solar panels. They convert the DC power generated by the solar panels into AC power and send it to the grid. These are very useful for homes that don’t have batteries to store excess energy because they allow you to sell back extra electricity during peak hours of the day when there is a shortage of power in your area. GTIs can also be used with battery storage systems, allowing homeowners to save up unused energy in batteries for later use.
Option 2 – Hybrid Inverter with Energy Storage + Solar Input
- The hybrid inverter is a combination of solar and storage inverters. It can be used in homes with or without solar panels, as well as those with or without storage batteries.
- The hybrid inverter offers the best efficiency for any home that has both PV (photovoltaic) panels and storage batteries. If you have a grid-tied system without battery backup, then this would not be an ideal choice for you.
- In terms of cost, it is more expensive than any other type of inverter but it’s well worth the investment if you want to enjoy maximum benefits from your solar PV installation over time.
Option 3 – Solar Inverter with AC Coupling + Backup
AC Coupling is a feature that allows an inverter to be used to convert AC power from the solar panels into DC power, and then convert the DC power into AC power for use in your home. This works by having an additional step between the solar panels and your home – the inverter. The benefit of this option is that there are no losses in electricity during this process, so all of your energy is converted straight from one form to another without loss of efficiency.
Option 4 – Energy Storage Inverter + Solar/Backup Inputs
If you’re looking to have the benefits of an on-grid solar power system but also want your home or business to be able to function even if the grid goes down, then this option may be right for you.
Pros:
- Allows you to use electricity from both your solar panels and the grid at all times.
- You can store excess energy in batteries instead of sending it back to the grid when demand is high (and getting paid less per unit). This allows for greater savings over time because battery prices are falling rapidly while tariffs continue their upwards trajectory.
Cons:
- The cost will be higher than other options since two inverters are needed instead of one.
The Pros and Cons of On-Grid Solar Power System Options
The next step is to decide which option to choose.
The Pros and Cons of Grid Connected Solar Power Systems
On-grid systems are more expensive than off-grid because of the cost of connecting your solar panels to the grid. Once connected, however, you can sell excess power back to your utility company at a predetermined rate set by law. This is a win-win situation for everyone involved; you get paid for your solar energy, and the utility company saves money on its electric bill because it doesn’t have to buy as much electricity from other sources (like coal plants). The trade-off is that these systems require some initial investment up front—the most basic system would cost around $15k–but they will pay off over time if you live in an area with high electricity costs or don’t have enough space/money for an off-grid installation.
Pros:
- You’ll get paid by selling excess power back into the grid
With the right inverter, you can enjoy clean and green energy combined with all the benefits of having a grid connected system.
The power generated by your solar panels is of no use if there’s no one around to use it. The grid-connected inverter acts as a bridge between solar panels and electric appliances. It allows you to use your home appliances during the day, when sunlight strikes the panels and turns them into electricity. At night, or when there’s no sunlight, it switches over to drawing power from the utility company instead.
The best part? You pay less than you would have paid before because of how much money you’re saving through using solar energy!
Conclusion
Now that you’re familiar with the different options that are available for on-grid solar power systems, we recommend that you do some research to find an inverter that meets your needs. You should take a look at the features and benefits of each option so that you can make an informed decision about which one will work best for your home or business. If there is anything else we can help with, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
