With advancements in solar technology and the widespread availability and affordability of solar hardware, there’s no wonder that the residential and commercial use of solar power has increased dramatically over the last decade. The confluence of improved panel efficiency, better storage batteries, and advanced grid tied solar inverters, such as the Fronius grid-tie solar inverter, has resulted in an era of clean energy production that continues to increase in popularity.

Solar power inverter

Though panels may be the most visible component of your solar power generation system, they only represent a part of the overall picture. Your solar inverters are almost as important to meeting your power demands as those panels on the rooftop or in the backyard. When planning your solar system, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the quality and efficiency of your solar inverters. Fortunately, there are many great solar inverters available, and the best solar inverters share a few of the same qualities. By looking for those qualities, you can find a roadmap to getting the best system components for your solar array. Keep reading to learn what qualities you should seek in a solar inverter.

Grid-Tied Versus Off-Grid

To get the right solar inverter for your system, you first need to know whether to look for a grid-tied or off-grid inverter. Grid-tied inverters allow you to use the power generated from your panels while also retaining access to the power grid for backup power, or to sell excess power that you generated that exceeds your demand. However, if you plan to use only the energy generated by your panels, there’s no need to spring for a grid-tied inverter. Instead, you can simply find an off-grid inverter, since you won’t need to be linked to the power grid. Decide which best describes your system and look for the appropriate inverter.

High Efficiency

When it comes to solar power generation and usage, efficiency is a key metric. After all, you want to make the best use of the energy your panels work hard to produce. In times when there may be prolonged periods of overcast days, efficiency can mean the difference between meeting your power needs through solar power or relying on the grid. Your solar inverter takes the DC power generated by your panels and converts it to AC electricity that can be used by household appliances and devices. In that context, the efficiency of your inverter represents that amount of AC electricity that is provided after the conversion from DC. The highest conversion rate for standard inverters is 98%, and for sting inverters, the highest percentage is just above 96%. When selecting an inverter, look for the highest rate of efficiency you can afford, as it will pay dividends in terms of usable power generated by your panels.

Solar panels on roof

Tracking Capabilities

Your solar inverter is the nerve center of your solar power system, as it not only converts electricity but can also help you plan and manage generation and usage. The best solar inverters will allow tracking devices to be connected that allow you to monitor important data points such as peak energy generation, the best time of day for energy production, which panels are producing the most energy, and other performance metrics. That can help you plan around your system’s strengths and mitigate its weaknesses. Also, some inverters also feature troubleshooting features that gather data when errors occur. That data is then sent to the manufacturer to help troubleshoot errors or inefficiencies in your system.

When planning your solar power system, don’t underestimate the importance of a quality inverter. Look for these qualities when shopping for inverters to get an inverter that will meet your needs and help you sun a tighter solar system. To learn more about things to look for in a solar inverter, contact The PowerStore at (888) 595-0580.