What is a solar inverter and how much does it cost?

If you’re new to the world of renewable energy, you may be surprised to find out that you’ll need to invest in a solar inverter to be able to use your solar panels. But what is a solar inverter, and why do you need it?

What does a solar inverter do?

Solar panels don’t work without an inverter. Traditional power stations, hydroelectric plants and wind farms generate alternating current (AC) power, but solar energy generates direct current (DC) power. This means that most household appliances use AC, so the energy generated by your panels will need to be converted. That’s where the inverter comes in, making it an essential part of your solar energy system.

There will be some DC-powered items in your home such as computers and gaming consoles, but these have their own transformer built into the plug to convert the AC power to DC.

But this isn’t all that solar inverters do. They also: - Maximise energy output - Monitor your solar panels’ efficiency and electricity production levels - Feed electricity to the grid - Send DC energy to battery storage - Detect faults in the system

Is there more than one type of solar inverter?

Yes, there are four types of solar inverter, and each works in a slightly different way.

String Inverters

The most commonly used inverter for domestic solar panelling, a string inverter can link to about 5-10 panels at once, equalising their performance. However, this means that all panels will only work as well as the least efficient panel, so any damage or shade affecting a panel’s performance will then affect the output of the others. This is when it would be worth considering an optimiser, but we’ll come onto that later.

String Inverters usually come with a 5-10 year warranty and will set you back between £500 and £1500.

Micro Inverters

Micro Inverters attach to each individual panel rather than to a group of panels, making them more efficient and allowing all panels to work to their full potential. However, this inverter type is much more expensive than a String Inverter and is very rarely, if at all, used in domestic installations. With Wickes Solar powered by Solar Fast, you get a 30-year warranty on Micro Inverters, and you can expect to pay £20 to £100 per unit, which can add up if you have a large set-up.

Hybrid Inverters

A Hybrid Inverter includes both an inverter and a converter. The inverter is essentially a string inverter that converts DC energy to AC energy, however, if your panels are used to charge a battery array, this will require a DC supply. The converter then kicks in to regulate this high voltage and amperage, avoiding damage to the battery. Hybrid Converters can last for 15 years and usually come with a 10-year warranty. They’ll generally cost somewhere between £1000 and £1600, but higher end models can go up to £3000.

Optimisers

To negate the need for expensive Micro Inverters, an optimiser can be added to a system that uses a string or hybrid inverter. If a panel isn’t performing at its best and dragging down the performance of the others, hook it up to an optimiser to boost its output, which will in turn give the other panels a step-up. You’ll only need this for one or two panels, not every one.

Can a solar inverter break?

Solar inverters can break, but it’s rare. Modern inverters have been designed in a way that protects them from a lot of issues, so unless they’re blown off the roof or struck by lightning, they’re pretty safe from harm. Like all electrical products, the components will degrade over time but that either takes years (sometimes decades) or will be covered by our lengthy warranty. So don’t worry, Wickes Solar powered by Solar Fast has got you covered in the event of any mishaps.

How much does a solar inverter cost?

While some inverters may seem better than others for certain tasks, this is usually reflected in the price. Here’s what you can expect to pay for your inverter: - Hybrid inverters: You can buy these for between £1500 and £3000 depending on the size of your system. - Micro inverters: These £100 to £150 units might look like a bargain at first, but it adds up once you start buying replacements. - String inverters: A string inverter costs between £500 and £1000 depending on the size of your system. You may need to get a power optimiser to get the best results, and these can cost £40 per unit.