What is a microinverter solar inverter?

Microinverters are a type of solar inverter technology installed at each panel. Microinverters offer many benefits, such as rapid shutdown capabilities, flexibility for panel layouts, and panel-level monitoring and diagnostics. Microinverters are typically more expensive than traditional string inverters.

How do microinverters work?

Microinverters convert the electricity from your solar panels into usable electricity. Unlike centralized string inverters, which are typically responsible for an entire solar panel system, microinverters are installed at the individual solar panel site.

What factors should you consider when choosing a microinverter?

When comparing your microinverter options, there are a few main factors to keep in mind: Just like solar panels, microinverters have varying efficiencies. An inverter's efficiency measures energy losses during the conversion from DC to AC electricity. The more efficient the microinverter, the more solar electricity production.

Where should a microinverter sit on a solar panel?

Alternatively, string inverters typically sit more conveniently on the side of your house. Clipping refers to power losses associated with microinverters and is an important consideration when shopping for a solar panel system. Often, the power output rating of your microinverter is lower than that of the panel itself.

Do microinverters need power optimizers?

Microinverters operate at the panel level and don't require power optimizers for rapid shutdown compliance and optimization. If something is wrong with one microinverter, only the panel attached to it will shut down instead of the entire system. Diagnosing and fixing issues with microinverters is often quicker than with central string inverters.

What are microinverters & how do they compare to other inverters?

Let’s dive deeper into microinverters, their technology, and how they compare to other inverters. Microinverters are a type of solar inverter technology installed at each panel. Microinverters offer many benefits, such as rapid shutdown capabilities, flexibility for panel layouts, and panel-level monitoring and diagnostics.