What is the downside to string inverters?

The average solar panel can produce around 300 watts of electricity per hour. That much energy can offer huge savings on your energy bill. Unfortunately, the DC electricity it produces isn’t safe to use with your appliances if you’re connected to the electrical grid. That’s where inverters, like solar string inverters, come into the picture.

For more information, please visit Advanced single phase string inverter.

The inverter is a critical part of a grid-tie solar system. It takes the direct current (DC) power produced by your solar panels and converts it into alternating current (AC) that can power your building and earn net metering credits.

There are several types of solar inverters capable of converting DC to AC. Choosing the best one for your needs involves weighing the pros and cons of the traditional string inverter vs. microinverters vs. optimizers.

How String Inverter Solar Systems Work

A solar string inverter system is the most common type of inverter. It achieves DC to AC conversion by wiring together multiple panels in series and connecting them to a centralized inverter. Depending on the unit’s specifications, solar string inverters can manage a solar array with up to 24 panels.

Some string inverter systems also include an optional battery storage component that can be used as a source of backup power during grid outages. String inverter configurations are typically considered mono-inverters or multi-inverters, depending on whether you have one or multiple units per system.

String inverters have some drawbacks that aren’t as common in newer systems. Because panels operate as a unit, they can only produce energy and the lowest operating unit. If shade or debris blocks sunlight to one panel, the whole system suffers. String inverters aren’t recommended for installations where panels will consistently get different light levels.

They also don’t provide panel-level monitoring, and it’s difficult to make any additions to your array without purchasing a new inverter. That’s why more people are considering the benefits of microinverters vs. power optimizers for their installations.

Want to Know How Much Going Solar Can Save You?

Get your free on-site energy audit today.

Book Now

What Are Microinverters?

Solar installations with a microinverter system use a single inverter for each individual panel. With microinverters, the conversion to AC electricity is done at every panel, so the efficiency of one won’t affect any others.

With microinverters, you can easily add more panels in the future without adding an additional device for stringing them together. Over its lifetime, a microinverter system can harvest 5-20% more energy than a string system, which means you can get a return on investment faster.

What Are Power Optimizers?

Power optimizers, like microinverters, are connected to each panel. They help string inverters improve solar panel performance to optimize solar production. By converting DC power to AC electricity before it reaches the central unit, they essentially create their own microinverter system.

So how do you decide between a microinverter vs. an optimizer? There are some key differences you should know about before deciding whether a string inverter with an optimizer vs. microinverters is suitable for you.

Power Optimizer Vs. Microinverter

For an end-user, there’s no difference in the experience offered by microinverters and power optimizers. Both offer individual panel-level efficiency readings. Panel level monitoring lets you know when it’s time for maintenance so that you can get the best energy savings from your system.

When you consider the longevity between microinverters vs. DC optimizers, microinverters often win out. Some manufacturers produce solar panels with built-in microinverters to save time and money on installation, and these panels offer a much longer warranty, up to 25 years.

When considering microinverters vs. optimizers, price can be a major factor. Power optimizers are generally cheaper, and they rely on the tried and true technology of string inverters. They can also directly power a backup battery so you can still power your appliances during an outage.

When it comes to power efficiency, which is better – microinverter vs. power optimizer – will depend on the setup. While power optimizers are more efficient than string inverters, they still fall a little short of microinverters. The exception is when you’re regularly using a backup battery system to supplement your solar power.

String Inverter Vs. Microinverter Vs. Optimizer: Which Is Right for You?

Here’s the quick breakdown to help you compare string inverters vs. optimizers vs. microinverters:

• String Inverters: Traditional solar inverters are still the most cost-effective option when you have consistent sun exposure. However, you’ll need to consider future power needs before you invest, but they offer the best efficiency for large-scale installations.
• Microinverters: Each panel works independently, so you can install them in any orientation without worrying about efficiency. They can be more expensive but offer greater efficiency more of the time. They also let you easily increase the size of your system later.
• Power Optimizers: These systems combine many of the benefits of string inverters and microinverters, and they are a superior choice for solar power systems with battery backups. The only drawback is the shorter warranty and the slightly lower efficacy compared to microinverters.

Go Solar With No Money Down

Confused between string inverters vs. microinverters vs. optimizers? Make sure you work with an experienced team for your solar power system. At Airis Energy, we’ll explain which systems are best suited for your premises and how to choose between a DC optimizer vs. microinverter system.

We plan, install, monitor, and maintain residential and commercial solar systems. That means you can reduce your carbon footprint and energy bills while we’ll take care of everything else.

Find out how much you could be saving right now by booking a free on-site energy audit.

Solar inverters have one core function: convert the direct current (DC) solar panels generate into an alternating current (AC) used in your home. There are two main types of home solar inverters:

• Microinverters attach to the back of each panel and are best for complex solar installations.

• String inverters connect strings of panels in one central location and are best for simple installations.

Microinverters have become the most popular inverter option because they are compliant with National Electrical Code and safety standards. String inverters need to be paired with DC optimizers or rapid shutdown devices to be up to code.

There are pros and cons to each type of solar inverter, and the right one for you ultimately depends on your system design.

How much do solar panels and inverters cost?

Solar inverter types

There are two main types of solar inverters for home solar installations:

• String inverters

• Microinverters

Each one converts energy from your solar panels into electricity your homes can use, but how they get it done is a bit different.

String inverters

A string inverter is installed on your home, typically close to your main service panel or electric meter. The electricity generated by a string of solar panels is sent to the inverter, where it’s converted to AC current and sent to your home appliances.

Because of how the solar panels are wired together, if there is an issue with one panel in the string, the energy production of all the panels strung together will be impacted. For example, if one panel in a string is shaded and produces less energy, all of the other panels in the string will match that shaded panel.

There is typically only one single string inverter installed for a residential solar installation, and they are very popular for solar systems installed on simple, unshaded roofs.

String inverters are often paired with DC power optimizers to meet electrical code standards. Power optimizers are attached to the back of each panel and track the panel’s peak output. The optimizers can then regulate voltage before the power gets sent to the string inverter, maximize the amount of energy the system produces, and reduce the impacts of shading.

Microinverters

Microinverters perform the same basic function as string inverters, except they are installed underneath each solar panel on your roof. Some microinverter models allow you to attach two or four panels to each unit.

With a microinverter, the DC to AC conversion is completed right at the back of the panel.

While standard string inverters will cap the electricity production of each panel by the lowest-producing panel in a string, microinverters don’t have this problem since they function in a parallel circuit.

A microinverter takes full advantage of the production of each individual panel. Each solar panel and microinverter combination can “do their best” and contribute as much power as they can. Microinverters work best for complex solar installations on multiple roof faces.

Hybrid inverters. Solar systems paired with battery storage may use a hybrid inverter that connects the panels, the battery, the grid, and your home together in one unit. Hybrid inverters are efficient and allow for a streamlined design. However, they are becoming less common as more batteries are being sold with built-in inverters.

Pros and cons of solar inverters

Every home solar panel system needs inverters to operate. But the right one for you depends on the system’s design. Let’s take a closer look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of each inverter type.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of High-Voltage Lithium Battery Pack for Germany. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

String inverter pros and cons

Pros

• Easy to troubleshoot

• Low cost

• Simple system design

Cons

• Efficiency in shade or single-panel issues

• Difficult system expansion

• 10-year lifespan

• Additional equipment needed for rapid-shutdown requirements

• Inverter issue impacts entire system

One of the biggest benefits of string inverters is their simplicity. Often, if there is an issue with a solar system, it has to do with the inverter. With string inverters, there’s only one, so troubleshooting and repairing the issue is easy, and no one has to get on your roof to repair it.

String inverters are also cheaper than other inverter options, but keep in mind that you do often have to pair the system with optimizers or rapid shutdown devices, which will increase the cost.

The downside to string inverters is that issues with one panel can impact the energy production of the other panels it’s wired to, lowering how much electricity your home has to use and eating into your solar savings if not addressed right away. DC optimizers do help with this issue, but having to get additional equipment is a bit of a hassle. Also, if there is an issue with the string inverter, your whole system will be offline until it’s repaired.

Because of how the panels are wired together and the voltage requirements of string inverters, they aren’t the best choice for complex system designs that have panels on multiple roof faces and aren’t great if you try to add more solar panels in the future. Plus, string inverters have a short lifespan of 10 years — solar panels last for at least 25. So, you’ll likely have to replace your string inverter at least once.

Microinverter pros and cons

Pros

• Meets rapid-shutdown requirements

• Easy system expansion

• Panel level monitoring

• Individual panel performance doesn't impact others

• 25-year lifespan

• Make it easier to add panels to an existing system

Cons

• Difficult to repair

• Expensive

• More points of failure

Microinverters have quickly become the most popular choice for residential solar installations - and for good reason! They don’t require additional equipment to meet electrical code requirements, can be used for intricate system designs, and don’t have the same shading issues as string inverters. Because microinverters output AC power from each solar panel, it makes it easier to add more solar panels to an existing system. Microinverters also have a 25-year lifespan, so you don’t have to worry about getting them replaced after 10 years.

But, when there is an issue with microinverters, it can be difficult to repair. First, the defective microinverter has to be properly identified on your roof. Then, an installer needs to get up there, find, and fix it. This is much more difficult than troubleshooting a string inverter on the side of your house. The upside is that if there is an issue