Stergy Cleantech - String inverters, Micro-inverters and power optimizers

You might be unsure of which inverter is best for you if you're in the market for one. On the market, there are several different kinds of inverters. To assist you in choosing wisely, we'll compare string inverters and micro inverters in this article. 

There are two main categories of inverters that you might run into: traditional string inverters and micro inverters. If you intend to purchase one, it's crucial to understand how they differ because each has unique benefits and drawbacks. Micro inverters are ideal for portable applications because they are compact and light. They can generate a lot of power without using a lot of energy thanks to their extremely high efficiency ratings. This is great for projects that require a lot of power without taking up too much space. 

String inverters are comparatively less than micro inverters in terms of price. Additionally, string inverters are typically mounted on a wall in a common area, which helps to reduce the difficulty of maintenance. However, because it is connected in series, the entire solar array will become inoperable if the inverter malfunctions. There may be a sizable loss in the generation of electricity as a result. Additionally, future upgrades are restricted unless you purchase an oversized string inverter because, once installed for a specific rating, the inverter's rating cannot be changed. You would have to purchase an additional inverter in this situation. One of the more established manufacturers of string inverters is Sofar. 

Solar Micro Inverters have been around since the advent of solar PV systems, but they weren't widely used until Enphase produced the first commercially successful micro inverter, the M175, in 2008. After that, these inverters were formally introduced by numerous reputable companies. The production of one Solar Panel has no bearing on the neighboring Solar Panel because each individual Solar Panel generates independently of the other panels. Other benefits include a smaller cable size, simple installation, remote monitoring, a 25-year extended warranty, and more. Micro inverters, on the other hand, have higher initial and replacement costs. 

Another type of inverter, called SolarEdge, uses a power optimizer connected to a single inverter and attached to each panel. You can consistently generate the most power thanks to the SolarEdge optimizer. In recent years, SolarEdge has advanced technology significantly by pushing both reliability and efficiency to 99%. Standard inverter warranties last for 12 years, but preferred and certified partners can extend them to 25 years. 

SolarEdge’s scalability is limited in comparison to Enphase micro-inverters. SolarEdge systems are restricted to the size of the central inverter, which can intake a several number of solar panels. Enphase micro-inverters have better flexibility to scale just by adding solar panels with compatible micro-inverters. By comparing both, SolarEdge shows little higher performance in partial shading and complex roofing layouts.

The Enphase microinverter systems and the SolarEdge power optimizers with inverter systems have few similarities:   

1. MPPT technology optimizes the output for individual solar panels and mitigates the effects of shade or mixed orientations on the overall solar production
2. Monitoring information for each panel in your solar installation
3.  Solar battery options are available.

Three inverters have their own advantages and disadvantages, according to your preferences and budget, it is possible to choose one among these.