Three types of Inverter

Types of Inverters

The inverter can be thought of as the “brain” of a solar PV system. This is because the inverter is the one that manages how it operates along with many other functions and protection features. In terms of a desktop computer, you may think of the inverter as the CPU or the central processing unit of the solar PV system.

There are 3 types of inverters today that are used today: central, string and microinverters. All of these perform basically the same functions, the only difference being the scope of their applications.

Central inverters –

this type of inverter is the largest in terms of capacity and is the one that is most commonly used for utility-scale systems such as solar farms. Their sizes can range from 100kW to a few megawatts. These inverters are usually designed to connect directly to the electric grid, which is why they usually come in a package that includes a power station. They also have the advantage of being cheaper in terms of per kilowatt cost and easier installation and management.

String inverters –

this type of inverter is the one that is usually used for residential and commercial systems, with sizes that range from 1kW to 100kW. They also come in 3 different types: on-grid, off-grid and hybrid, the use of each depending on the project’s specific requirements.

Microinverters –

this type of inverters is the youngest among the 3, but is now slowly gaining popularity and market share. As their name suggests, microinverters are the smallest out of all the 3 types, which limits their application to residential solar PV systems. However, as microinverter technology improves over time, it is also slowly being used for commercial and even utility-scale applications. Their sizes usually range from 250W to 1kW, which accommodates 1-4 PV modules.

Many people nowadays confuse microinverters with DC-DC converters and use the two terms interchangeably. However, DC-DC converters are not inverters and only converts the DC voltage and current that is produced by PV modules to levels that allow for maximum energy production. Because of this, DC-DC converters still require the use of inverters for proper functioning.