Inverter

The inverter is the ”heart“ of every solar electric system. It converts the direct current (DC), which is generated by the solar cells, into alternating current (AC), either to be consumed in the house or to be fed into the public grid.

In addition to the conversion and feed-in function, the inverter is also responsible for the plant control and the optimization of the electricity yield. It is also actively involved in the grid management

Just as fuel consumption is a decision criterion for a car buyer, a solar power plant operator should choose the solar inverter on the basis of the lowest energy consumption or the best efficiency.

The efficiency specifies the ratio of supplied energy (i. e. produced by the solar electric system) to usable energy (fed into the grid or self-consumed solar power). The losses are mainly dissipated in the form of heat.

Basically, an inverter requires the right direct voltage (based on open circuit voltage, start voltage and maximum voltage) from a generator (e. g. the photovoltaic system) and an electric consumer of alternating voltage (grid, AC-powered appliances etc.). Optional components such as communication and multifunction interfaces, electricity meters and protocol interfaces can be added if they are not already included in the inverter.

The inverter should be installed in a cool and well-ventilated location. Depending on the type, it has to be either mounted to a wall or placed on a level surface. Basements, utility rooms or garages are well-suited. The inverter’s IP classification determines precisely its weather resistance. An incorrect location has a negative impact on the inverter’s performance and lifetime.

Yes. Monitoring of the solar system via internet is easily possible with many manufacturers. Additional components may be required for this. Centralized monitoring of several plants is also feasible.

The maintenance of the inverter is recommended once a year. The DC connection and the cooling should be checked and cleaned, if necessary. In addition, a maintenance report of the manufacturer is helpful. In order to identify possible damage at an early stage, the yield of the solar plant should be compared to the previous year.