One of our recent blog posts claims that Solar Inverters Make It All Happen. These battery-powered devices are part and parcel to most solar home energy systems, converting the DC current from solar panels into a useable AC current within the home. Therefore, homeowners shopping around for solar panels should know their share about solar inverters, too.

Important attributes of your potential inverter include:

• matching the wattage output of your desired solar panels
• having the surge power to supply electricity to large appliances, and
• having high efficiency, among other features.

The latest inverters on the market, however, may make the inverter selection process a whole ot easier. Here’s why 4 new inverters are shaking things up.

1. Northern California based Enphase Energy just raised $6.5 million in funding to develop and manufacture the micro-inverter, a device so small it can be built into individual panels. This capacity for panels to convert the current internally could potentially eliminate the need to purchase a separate inverter. Though the product isn’t available just yet, it is well on its way.
2. PV Powered has a new inverter on the market, the enhanced 30kW Commercial Solar Inverter. Meant for small commercial applications to help grow a business, PV Powered asserts that their new inverter is more flexible and efficient, as well as easier to install. New capabilities of the product include:
   • expanded DC input voltage range to ensure compatibility with most or all PV modules on the market
   • increased energy harvest to help identify the optimal power point more quickly and accurately deliver usable power under all operating conditions
   • new cabinet features to make it easier to install and set up
3. MorningStar’s SureSine(TM) Inverter just received UL and cUL Certification, signifying compliance with electrical safety and code standards. With 25 years of experience in off-grid photovoltaics, the company’s new product is designed specifically for rural PV electrification.
4. Finally, the new inverter by Fraunhofer ISE has the highest efficiency rating reported for PV inverters to date. At 98.5 percent efficiency, the ISE inverter will enable PV systems to yield greater energy overall. According to Solar Energy News, ISE engineers are specialists in transformerless inverters, considered more efficient, cheaper, and lighter than devices with transformers.

Have you found the perfect solar panel and inverter for your home? Don’t let your hard work go to waste. Select a solar installation specialist to ensure your equipment is properly handled. CalFinder Solar will provide you with quotes from numerous solar experts, free of charge.

Links:

Smaller, Smarter Inverters Equal Cheaper Solar, Greater Efficiency
PV Powered Announces Immediate Availability of an Enhanced Version of Their Successful 30kW Commercial Solar Inverter
Fraunhofer ISE Unveils Efficient PV Inverter
Morning Star’s SureSine(TM) Inverter Receives UL Certification

Posted on February 6th in Solar Products by Renee.