However with the introduction of dual micro inverters and technological advancement in manufacturing integrated micro inverters in solar panels the cost difference is continually reducing.
Micro inverter vs string inverter.
With micro inverters as each panel has its own inverter only the compromised panels are effected the others can work normally.
When using a string inverter all the energy your solar panels create travels to a single.
String inverter is that micro inverters are the most expensive option on a cost per watt basis.
Dc optimizers are a more complicated string inverter system.
There are microinverter systems and string inverter systems.
Microinverters reduce system complexity and are easier to design and install.
There is one large inverter installed on your home next to your utility meter.
With a string inverter if one or two panels get shaded it can affect the entire string by as much as half of its total performance.
We re here to break down some key differences for you in a way you won t need an engineering degree to understand.
With all the solar technologies out there and not a lot of straightforward information deciding on the right solar option can be confusing.
Here are the two head to head.
In our previous article about how solar inverters work we introduced you to string inverters microinverters power optimizers and hybrid inverters.
String inverters are the simplest and lowest cost option.
Micro invert or string inverter is rather dependable on custom specific circumstances.
Before making a decision it s important to understand the key differences between the two inverters and the pros and cons of each.
A system is only as reliable as its weakest link and the string inverter is the weakest link in any dc optimizer system.
With micro inverter panels it is the only the shaded ones that are affected while the rest of the system keeps performing.
Deciding between micro inverters or a standard string inverter is a major decision and can have a significant impact on the overall return on investment for your solar system.
This is generally caused by shade.
The trade off for the convenience of using a micro inverter vs.
Source where it is all converted.
So the answer to the question of which inverter is best.
The installed system will be more easily expanded with a micro inverter solution.
Once you scale into larger scale systems string inverters with or without optimizers are more cost effective than micro inverter systems.
1 each panel working individually vs the weakest link principle.
Microinverters string inverters and string inverters with dc optimizers oh my.
All these types of systems convert the dc electricity your solar panels make into ac electricity.
With a string inverter if one panel is compromised the other panels can only perform as well as the lowest performing panel.