Your solar panels don’t actually create electricity your house can use. So how do solar panels power your home? You need an inverter to convert the direct current (DC) power your solar panels make to alternating current (AC) electricity that your house can use. There are two kinds of inverters you can choose: string inverters and microinverters.
A string inverter is a single box that’s installed near your electrical meter or power box, and it converts the DC electricity from all of your solar panels into AC electricity. A typical residential installation will have one or two string inverters for all of the panels. On the other hand, a microinverter is a much smaller box (about the size of an internet router) that’s installed underneath each solar panel on your roof. Each individual microinverter converts power for one solar panel before sending it to your home. What are the benefits of choosing solar microinverters for your home, if you’re looking to get started with solar power? How do you choose the best one? We’ll walk you through all the details about finding reliable microinverters for your solar system.
Benefits of Microinverters for Solar
There are many benefits of using microinverters for your solar system. These are some of the most important benefits of microinverters:
They keep efficiency up. With a string inverter, all of your panels operate at the efficiency of the lowest performing panel. So if one panel is in the shade, the whole system only converts as much energy as the output of that panel. But if you have microinverters, each panel can operate at its output level. A shaded panel might operate at 50% efficiency, but all of the panels in the sunlight will now be able to run at 100% efficiency. More efficiency can lead to more electricity overall.
They have increased shutdown compliance. In many places, there are new regulations that your solar system needs to be able to rapidly shut down in case firefighters or first responders need to service rooftops or power lines. String inverters are harder to shut off, but microinverters have shutdown compliance.
They are easier to expand your system. Since string inverters connect a whole system, it’s harder to add new solar panels to your system. But microinverters are installed with each solar panel you add, so you can keep adding, replacing, and adjusting your solar system.
They last longer with longer warranties. Most string inverters have 8–12 year warranties, but microinverters can have 25-year warranties. Given that solar panels last about that same amount of time, you won’t have to worry about replacing your inverters long before your panels. Instead, they’ll all work together for many years, and you’ll have inverter and panel warranties to keep you covered.
These are just some of the reasons why you should consider installing microinverters when you’re going solar. If you already have a solar system, you can still switch over to microinverters. To do so, you’ll need a knowledgeable installation team that can rewire your system to work with microinverters. Here at 8MSolar, our installation experts can help you get started switching to microinverters.
The Enphase Energy System IQ8
When you’re ready to install microinverters for your solar system, you’re probably looking for which ones will help you to take advantage of all the benefits of microinverters. Enphase is the market leader in microinverters, and its inverters are top-of-the-line when it comes to efficiency, usability, and reliability. If you’re looking to upgrade your system or install a new system, Enphase microinverters provide what you need.
The newest microinverter is the Enphase IQ8, and it’s the industry’s first grid-forming microinverters with split-phase power conversion. If your grid is down, the Enphase IQ8 keeps producing power. In combination with the Enphase backup battery, you can keep your power running in an emergency or in poor weather. These microinverters are easy to install with lightweight and compact with plug-n-play connectors, Power Line Communication (PLC), and simple two-wire cabling. The IQ8 is optimized for high power output, so if you have a large power need, these have you covered. In fact the Enphase IQ8 system can provide “Solar Only” backup power. This is great because your solar PV system will continue to produce power even without having a battery present.
The IQ8 microinverter is the highest-end inverter for your solar system. It produces more electricity, is easy to install in and expand your system, and is covered by a company warranty for 25 years. And you don’t have to worry about finding a separate installer for these microinverters: 8MSolar is equipped to install the Enphase IQ8. We’ll help you get started with microinverters today.
8MSolar Can Help
8MSolar has expert installation teams that know your area and know the industry. Our solar engineers will help you design your ideal solar system and install the industry’s leading microinverters for you. If you’re ready to upgrade your system or to install a brand new solar system, contact us today.
