Inverter, what is it? And what does this term, which not everyone has heard of, mean? Not everyone knows what an inverter is and what it does. A solar inverter, more simply known as a voltage converter for solar panels, is one of the components of a solar power system. The inverter of a solar power plant ensures that the stored energy can be put to practical, domestic use. The solar modules only absorb the sun's energy. The solar energy collected in the modules travels through wires to the inverter, where it is converted into electricity.

How does an inverter work and why is it so important?

The solar modules we see on the roof of the house collect electricity as direct current. But almost all household appliances, such as fridges, Wi-Fi routers or TVs, run on AC power. A solar voltage inverter, known as an electrical inverter for short, converts the DC energy from the solar panels into AC energy, which is suitable for household appliances. The inverter of a solar power plant is often the cause of various failures of the solar power plant.In most cases, inverter failures are easily resolved, but there are also situations where a solar inverter that has lost its functionality needs to be replaced by a new unit. Therefore, when choosing an converter, one should objectively assess not only the quality of the converter, but also the warranty conditions and the reliability of the seller. It is essential that the seller is able to repair the inverter quickly and, if necessary, to integrate a replacement unit quickly.  Otherwise, the entire operation of the solar power plant could be disrupted for an unforeseen period of time, which could lead to financial losses.

Key indicators for choosing an inverter

The inverter is the most important part of a solar power plant and can be called the heart and brain of the solar power system. The choice of inverter should therefore definitely be given special attention. When choosing an inverter, it is essential to consider the following aspects responsibly:Energy autonomy and energy storage. Given ESO's grid storage conditions, there may be a number of changes in the future regarding the storage and sale of electricity. It is likely that electricity will have to be bought and sold at the current exchange price. A more rational solution is therefore to use the support to purchase batteries, store energy at home and sell it at the most favourable rates. Therefore, in the long term, it is important to make sure that a battery can be connected to the inverter if needed. The possibility of connecting batteries is also relevant in the event of a grid blackout.

Manufacturer reliability

Manufacturer reliability. A solar power plant is a long-term investment. If inverters for solar power plants are cheap, this is usually reflected in their quality and after-sales service. A low-quality solar inverter can lose its functionality faster. If certain inverter failures occur, a long service period can be encountered, which directly affects not only the inconvenience but also the financial loss.Some manufacturers do not even have warehouses in Europe, so troubleshooting a fault or waiting for a replacement unit can take a very long time. For this reason, companies selling this type of equipment at very low prices should not be trusted. For maximum efficiency of the solar power plant and inverter, it is advisable to choose high-quality inverters and reliable suppliers. Inverter security. Excessive voltage coming from the mains through the wires can cause certain problems with the solar inverter. A solar inverter can fail unexpectedly if it is exposed to a sudden power surge. For this reason, quality inverters for solar power plants are equipped with special protectors to guard against overvoltage. In rare cases, quality protections can also be damaged. It is therefore very important to make sure that, in the event of damage to one or other of these protections, the manufacturer provides after-sales service.In order to avoid liability in the event of a failure, some manufacturers offer inverters with guards, but the guards may not be used in the event of a failure.

Key technical characteristics of inverters

We've already explained what an inverter is and what it does. Let's briefly review the technical characteristics that need to be taken into account when choosing this crucial component of a solar power plant:The inverter's output should match the output of the solar power plant at a favourable angle to the sun. If the angle of rotation is less favourable, the solar converter may have a lower power output than the modules. If you are planning to increase the capacity of your power plant in the future, you need a solar inverter with a higher capacity.

Warranty.

The inverter is the most important part of the solar power plant, so it is important to choose an converter from a reliable, well-known manufacturer.The well-known manufacturers on the market not only offer long-lasting, high-quality inverters, but also provide a long-term warranty that is relevant to every consumer. Duration of the warranty. The warehouses of inverter manufacturers in Europe are a key factor. Only manufacturers with warehouses in Europe can guarantee the rapid repair of inverter-related faults. "When informed of a failure of a solar power plant, the Solar Return service technicians will bring a replacement converter with them on their first visit. If an existing fault is detected, the faulty converter is replaced by another device during the same visit. This ensures uninterrupted green electricity production.

Types of inverters