A solar inverter is an essential part of your solar energy system which converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by your solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity which is used in your home. This conversion is essential because AC electricity is what powers the appliances and devices in your home. Without an inverter, your solar system wouldn’t be able to provide usable energy for everyday functions.
There are different types of solar inverters, each with their own advantages:
Enphase Microinverters: These inverters are installed directly under each solar panel, allowing each inverter, and therefore each panel to operate individually. This means that if one panel is shaded or underperforming for any reason (dirty, poorly manufactured, different angle), it won’t affect the performance of the other solar panels in your system. At TCK Solar, we offer panels with microinverters as an option for you to consider and in our opinion, microinverters form part of the best solar system you can buy due to highest safety, best production per panel and enabling real-time monitoring for each panel.
SolarEdge Inverters: This type of system utilises a single inverter, typically mounted onto an outside wall of our home, or inside your garage, and is best combined with power optimisers attached to each panel. Individual optimisers ensure that each panel functions at its maximum potential, enhancing overall system efficiency. SolarEdge inverters work well with the best panels on the market such as Sunpower to provide the highest effective energy conversion rates and detailed panel-level monitoring capabilities.
Tesla Powerwall built-in inverter: The built-in inverter creates an all-in-one solar and battery system, reducing the need for separate hardware and simplifying design and installation. By integrating the inverter within the battery, the system enables faster and often lower-cost installations, plus improves efficiency by minimising energy conversion losses. This design also allows for a sleek looking solar inverter (effectively hidden) and seamless monitoring and control through the Tesla app.
Choosing the most suitable inverter is essential for optimising the performance of your solar system. By selecting high-quality options like Enphase, SolarEdge or Tesla, you’re investing in a foundation of efficiency and reliability. At TCK Solar, we can help you understand the various inverter options and select the best solution to meet your individual circumstances, ensuring you gain the greatest return from your system.
