What is a solar inverter?

A solar inverter is the component in your solar panel system which changes the direct current (DC) electricity captured by the solar panels, into alternating current (AC). AC current is the standard flow of electricity required to power your home appliances and connect to the National Grid.

Can a solar inverter convert DC to AC?

However, solar batteries store electricity in DC form. A hybrid solar inverter is capable of converting the incoming DC into AC, while also sending any surplus DC power to store in a solar battery, or to be sold to the grid. When your stored energy is in demand, the electricity can then be inverted to AC to be used in your household.

What does a solar panel inverter do?

A solar panel inverter converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by your solar panels into alternating current (AC), which is the type of electricity used by most properties. Without an inverter, you wouldn't actually be able to access your solar-generated electricity via your property’s wall outlets.

Do solar panels work without an inverter?

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.

What is a solar micro-inverter?

A solar micro-inverter, or simply microinverter, is a plug-and-play device used in photovoltaics that converts direct current (DC) generated by a single solar module to alternating current (AC). Microinverters contrast with conventional string and central solar inverters, in which a single inverter is connected to multiple solar panels.

How efficient is a solar panel inverter?

A solar panel inverter is typically 93% to 98% efficient at turning DC electricity into AC electricity, though never 100%, as they need some DC electricity to function.