Everything about the comparison of Microinverters and String Inverters

The marketing claim that microinverters outperform string inverters when solar panels are shaded has sparked the Solar micro-inverter debate. Which performs better in the competition between string inverters and micro-inverters depends on the shading conditions.

What are inverters?

Solar panels convert mild to electric direct current (DC) power. However, the electric electricity in your home is alternating current (AC). Inverters remodel the power that your solar panels gather into power you could use in your home.

What is the distinction between vital or string inverters and microinverters?

Solar panel "strings" are used by central / string inverters to connect your solar panels. Then, a single inverter is linked to these strings. Microinverters, on the other hand, link each panel with a specific inverter. Unlike string inverter systems, which are wired in a series, microinverter systems are wired in parallel.

Inverters can be compared to Christmas string lights as a helpful analogy: central inverters are the old-style type, where if one bulb goes out, the entire sequence goes out. Microinverters are just like modern Christmas lights; if a bulb burns out, you just swap it out.

We at iGreen Energy greatly recommend microinverters for this reason, among many others.

Read on to see why micro inverters might make sense for your solar energy project, as well as things to watch out for when choosing micro inverters.

Advantages of Microinverters'

Roof Shades

Most roofs have some type of shade. If it's not trees, it might be a chimney shadow. The full potential of panels is diminished by shade.

Only the panel with the lowest performance can match the performance of a string inverter system. Therefore, if one panel's performance is hampered by shade or fallen leaves, all the other panels must perform at a reduced level.

But when only a few panels are in the shade or covered by snow, the ability of each panel to operate independently utilizing microinverters enables increased energy production and efficiency. Because most roofs have some degree of shadowing, microinverters are advised for the majority of house solar setups.

It's important to note that some central inverters allow for the addition of an optimizer. However, for these D/C optimizers to work, a specific voltage level must be reached in the system. Even if only half of the system were shaded, the optimizer still wouldn't be able to complete its task.

Efficiency

Microinverters give a 5–15% boost in production compared to string inverters because each panel can operate independently. This is frequently because they are more effective in the aforementioned shading scenarios, but it also holds if a solar panel (or microinverter) is broken or unclean.

Furthermore, no two solar panels in Adelaide are the same. Before solar panels ever leave the manufacturer, their normal energy output can differ by up to 5% amongst solar panels. Similarly to that, solar panels age differently over time. Solar energy generation using a string inverter is always constrained by the lowest producers. However, microinverters enable each solar panel to operate at its peak performance.

Safety

The solar panel level DC to AC conversion takes place with individual microinverters. This guarantees that the electricity on your roof will always be low-voltage. In contrast, string inverters increase the risk of an electrical fire by combining and moving high-voltage DC across your roof.

Monitoring, upkeep, warranty, and assistance

Although string inverters only have an 8- to 12-year warranty, they have a lifespan of about 10-15 years. Therefore, it's likely that you'll require a replacement soon after your warranty ends. Contrast that with the longer warranties offered on each microinverter with iGreen Energy.

Microinverters also perform exceptionally well in terms of upkeep and support. With the help of monitoring, you can keep track of the output from each of your solar panels, check for efficacy and deterioration, and decide whether to have a solar panel repaired or replaced. Microinverters help you to make the most of the solar panel warranty in this way.

Last but not least, panel-by-panel monitoring eliminates the requirement for actual on-roof inspections. Problems are considerably simpler to identify. However, with a central or string solar inverter, maintenance must start with an elimination process. Before they can diagnose and fix the panel, service technicians must first locate it.

System Uptime

As was already mentioned, if one inverter on a central inverter fails, the entire system fails. Not so with systems using microinverters. Your array can continue to produce energy even if one of your panels is not working. As a result, solar arrays incorporating microinverters have a system uptime that is noticeably longer overall.

System Upgrades Are Simpler

If you wish to increase the number of panels in an array, a microinverter system may be expanded much more easily. Microinverters and solar panels can be added one at a time. However, adding to a system using string inverters is more expensive and difficult because all new panels must be connected to a different inverter.

Microinverter flaws

There is a greater chance that one of the microinverters will malfunction simply because there are more of them. However, at least part of your solar PV system is not failing! At least your microinverter is likely still covered by warranty. Our experience indicates that there are not many failures.

Price

Microinverters are more expensive upfront but are comparable in price. However, we believe that microinverters offer a substantially higher value when you take into account the additional expenditures associated with using a central or string inverter.

Initially, keep in mind that your system will be more effective! As a result, you'll save more electricity.

Second, central inverters must adhere to the requirements for rapid shutdown in various locations. It generally costs more to incorporate functionality that makes your string inverter compliant with the rapid shutdown.

Finally, as was already mentioned, after the string inverter's warranty has run out, there's a considerable probability you'll need to replace it. The most financially sensible choice is microinverters when all of the aforementioned factors are taken into account.

Conclusion

In our experience, string inverters haven't been able to compete with microinverters for any of the aforementioned benefits.

With years of experience, iGreen Energy provides a wide range of home and commercial systems. We have a 15kw solar system 6.6 kW solar system, 9.9 kW solar system, 13.2 kW solar system, 20kw solar system, 30kw solar system, and 15kw solar system at highly affordable rates.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We take great satisfaction in offering frank and impartial advice on solar and would never pressure you into a decision that wasn't a good fit for your project.