Correctly sizing an inverter for a solar system is one of the primary tasks to get right. Take the following into account before buying: Contact online >>
Correctly sizing an inverter for a solar system is one of the primary tasks to get right. Take the following into account before buying:
Sizing solar energy systems, including their respective components, is what I do in running a solar system supply and installation company.
An inverter’s primary task is to convert the direct current (DC) generated by solar panels to alternating current (AC).
A solar system inverter is critical to any solar panel system generating AC. This includes solar systems that power homes, RVs, and portable solar panel systems.
Microinverters coupled with a single solar panel have particular solar panel requirements in terms of DC input to the inverter.
Calculating the size of the inverter required is straightforward. If no measuring equipment is available, the home consumption must be manually calculated by adding up the wattage of each item you want to run off the inverter.
From the above table, the combined usage of the chosen appliances is 1050 watts (1.05Kw).
To calculate the inverter size in KVA, we need to apply the following calculation:
Finding an inverter of the exact size would probably be impossible, so selecting one in the next available standard size, such as 1.5KVA, would be correct.
The same applies to Hybrid inverters designed to work with batteries. They’re generally fitted with an internal MPPT that may have a different input rating than the output of the inverter.
Some installers size the inverter according to the solar array’s output, while others size the inverter according to the home’s power requirements. The truth is that solar PV panels and inverters need to work in unison.
Assuming you already have solar panels installed, you’d need an inverter large enough to accommodate all the power that the solar panels can potentially generate.
If you have a grid-tied solar system with solar panels supplying power during the day to your home, you need a grid-tied inverter.
The priority is to select an inverter that can comfortably power the selected electrical circuits in the home while running at its continuous power supply rating and have sufficient output power to feed excess energy to the grid in regions where this is allowed.
When determining your home’s power consumption, it’s best to enlist the assistance of a solar installer with the required equipment to do the measurements.
Most use a data logger that will record the home’s power usage over a few days giving an accurate summary of the home’s electricity consumption trends, including the surge power of appliances.
Naturally, you’d need to spec the inverter to deliver the maximum power required, even if it is only for a short time, such as when accommodating surges from a motor or fridge compressor starting.
Should the home draw, for example, 2500 watts at peak consumption, the inverter should have a continuous power output rating of at least 2500 watts.
Inverters also have a surge rating which is often double that of the constant power rating but is only useable for a second or two.
The surge power rating is an internal surge protection limit for the inverter and should not be used as a maximum power output measurement when sizing an inverter.
The type of inverter you choose will be determined by its DC input and AC output ratings.
Secondly, sufficient power must be generated by the solar panels to supply the inverter and batteries, if fitted, with enough ability to run the home appliances and to charge the batteries within a reasonable time.
Determining the right-sized inverter for an RV is the same as sizing an inverter for a home.
Inverters used in RVs tend to be smaller in terms of power output capacity as they need to run fewer appliances. As a result, fewer solar panels and backup batteries are required when the load is less.
RV solar systems can either be off-grid with battery backup or use the grid as backup power when available.
Portable or mobile solar systems vary widely in power output and battery capacity.
Mobile is generally charged via the grid and contains a built-in inverter, battery, and charger. Power is usually supplied only to selected items such as PCs, laptops, and phones.
Being mobile, the inverters can supply power in various applications where grid power may not be available. Few mobile units offer solar panel compatibility. So they need to be recharged using an alternate power sauce.
Solar panels are rated in watts, amongst other measurements. However, in real-life situations, this may vary considerably depending on the location where the solar panels are used.
For example, a 300-watt solar panel produces a maximum of 300 watts DC under lab conditions at a temperature of 77°F (25°C).
Local weather conditions significantly affect the number of solar panels a solar system requires. For example, more solar panels may be needed in rainy and overcast regions than in mostly sunny places like Florida.
Your local solar expert should be able to provide a recommendation on the over-spec required if any.
The charger or MPPT carries a rating specified in Watts and Amps, which will determine the maximum size PV array it can accommodate.
When multiple solar panels are combined, this is called a string. The inverters’ DC specifications will determine the length of the string.
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