Getting started with solar can be hugely overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the equipment, terminology, or how anything works.
Even if you’re a total beginner, you’ve probably heard about solar panels and maybe even solar batteries, but there’s one piece of equipment that is less talked about, but it’s essential for any system: a solar inverter.
So, what is it, what does it do, and why is it such a big deal for solar setups? We’re going to explain just that in this simplified, beginner-friendly breakdown. Not only will we cover what they are and how they work, we’ll explain how you can choose the right option for your unique needs and budget.
At its core, a solar inverter almost acts like a power translator for your entire solar power system.
As you may or may not know, solar panels generate electricity in the form of direct current (DC). But most of the stuff in your house—think your TV, refrigerator, air conditioner, and even your PS5—all run on alternating current (AC).
This is where the solar inverter comes into play. Basically, its job is to convert the DC electricity your solar panels generate from sunlight into AC electricity, allowing you to provide usable power to all of your home appliances and devices. Once the inverter has done its work, the power that your solar power system has generated becomes just as usable as the power you pull from a wall outlet when you plug something in.
Without an inverter, your solar power setup is basically just a bunch of panels soaking up sunlight and not doing much else. Kind of like owning a car with no engine—the tank might be full of gas and it may look cool, but it’s not exactly functional. Again, a solar inverter makes your system functional, turning all that sunlight into usable power.
Don’t worry, we’re not going to get overly technical here—it will stay beginner-friendly.
In simple terms, when sunlight is absorbed by the photovoltaic cells inside your solar panels, it excites electrons, causing them to move rapidly. This movement creates an electric current, which is captured in the form of DC electricity. This DC power flows from your solar panels into your inverter, which is where the magic happens.
Inside the inverter, there are electronic components that rapidly switch the direction of the current. This process creates an AC waveform, which matches the frequency and voltage of your local electrical grid (usually 50Hz or 60Hz, depending on where you live).
Once the current has been converted, this AC power can either be used to satisfy your home’s electricity needs, stored inside your system’s battery, or sent back to the grid if you’re running a grid-tied system for net metering purposes.
Think of it like this: the inverter is almost like the maestro in an orchestra, ensuring every note (or electron) is in perfect harmony with the needs of the appliances and devices you have. Basically, it turns unusable DC power into the usable AC power your stuff needs.
Think of your inverter like a traffic cop at a four-way intersection when the lights go out. This because they can do the follow and more
That flexibility is also why some people think of the inverter like the brain of a solar power system.
You might be wondering, “Can’t I just skip the inverter and use DC electricity directly?” In theory, yes, there are certain appliances that run DC power. But in reality, it’s not very practical. Here’s why:
Almost every appliance in your home is designed to run on AC power. Unless you’re living off-grid with a system that was intentionally planned to run on full DC power (which is rare), you need an inverter to make your solar energy usable.
If you’re connected to the grid, your inverter ensures that your solar power syncs up perfectly with the electricity flowing through the grid. This is crucial for safety and efficiency. No grid-tied or hybrid system is going to work without an inverter converting that DC power into the AC power the grid requires.
Most modern inverters come with built-in monitoring capabilities. They let you track your solar production, energy usage, and even detect issues in your system. It’s like having a fitness tracker for your solar setup.
A high-quality inverter maximizes the power you get from your solar panels. It will also minimize losses during the DC-to-AC conversion process, ensuring you get the most out of your solar panels and the most bang for your buck out of your entire system.
While we could jump into some of the more niche inverters, like string inverters and microinverters, we’ll keep things simple by focusing on the three most common types for residential solar power systems.
Inverters are actually the main piece of equipment that separates the different types of solar power systems, so understanding what they are and how they work is a good place to start if you’re unsure which type of system you’d like to run.
To help you learn the basics, here’s a quick breakdown of what they are and how they work:
As you probably guessed from the name, grid-tied inverters are designed to work with solar power systems that are connected to the utility grid. They synchronize the solar power your system generates with the power you can pull from the grid. Something like the EG4 FlexBOSS 21 is a good example of one of these "smart" inverters that can control your entire system and connect it to the grid.
Pros: These types of inverters can be both affordable and efficient. They’re ideal for homes that use solar power during the day and rely on the grid at night and on cloudy days. They also allow you to pull power from the grid during hours when it’s cheaper, so you can top up your batteries with that inexpensive electricity if your solar panels are not generating enough power to fully charge your battery bank.
Cons: Systems using a grid-tied inverter won’t necessarily provide you with power during a blackout unless you have your system paired with an adequate battery backup.
Again, you can probably guess from the name what these inverters are designed for. Basically, they allow your solar power system to operate completely independent of the grid. Using batteries for storage, the inverter converts the power your panels generate, allowing you to run your home, cabin, RV, or whatever else completely free from grid power.
Pros: They’re perfect for remote areas where you do not have access to the grid, as they enable complete energy independence. They also tend to be on the more affordable side, which is because they are far less complicated than the inverters that have to communicate with the grid. Take, for example, the budget-friendly EG4 3kW Off-Grid Inverter, which is one of the most affordable and popular options out there right now.
Cons: Running any type of off-grid system means that you cannot supplement your power needs with grid power. This means you’ll need to invest more into your batteries.
These versatile inverters offer the best of both worlds, as they can handle both grid-tied and off-grid systems. They seamlessly manage solar power, grid electricity, and battery storage, so it’s no surprise that they’re amongst the most popular for residential applications.
Pros: They offer real peace of mind, as you know you’re covered no matter what type of system you plan on running. They also provide backup power during outages if you have batteries, while still allowing you to pull grid power when required. As an added bonus, some of the more recent options even include built-in batteries, simplifying the entire setup.
Cons: Due to their added complexity, they’re typically more expensive than standard grid-tied and off-grid inverters.
When shopping for a solar inverter, here are some features to keep in mind:
Higher efficiency means less energy lost during the conversion process. Look for inverters with 95% efficiency or higher.
A good inverter from a reputable manufacturer should come with a solid warranty. Some of the cheaper options don’t have any type of coverage or support, where more established and trusted inverter manufacturers, like EG4, back their products with 10-year warranties and really solid, American-based customer support.
You can also choose to purchase your inverter from a trustworthy third-party retailer, like Signature Solar. We mystery shopped them in the past and were really impressed with the quality of service we received.
Whether it’s a smartphone app or built-in display screen, monitoring features let you keep tabs on your system’s performance. We’d pretty much never recommend buying an inverter that didn’t support some kind of monitoring unless you were running a ridiculously small setup.
Make sure the inverter is compatible with your solar panels, batteries (if applicable), and grid requirements.
Choose an inverter that matches your system’s size. If your inverter isn’t big enough for what you intend on powering, or the level of power you end up feeding into it, you’re going to be hugely disappointed.
On the other hand, oversizing your inverter can be a waste of money and it can even lead to inefficiencies. If you need help, watch our video on sizing your solar power system’s inverter.
A solar inverter isn’t just an accessory in your solar setup—it’s a cornerstone. It ensures your solar panels’ hard work doesn’t go to waste by making the power they generate usable for your appliances and devices. It also acts as a bridge, connecting your solar power system to the grid, batteries, and built-in monitoring systems.
Whether you’re installing a small backup system or a whole home setup, choosing the right inverter is critical. It’s not the most glamorous part of your solar setup, but trust us, it’s the MVP keeping everything running smoothly.
If you’re in the market for a new inverter, but you’re unsure where to start, we put together a playlist of all of our inverter reviews to help you find the perfect match for your system.
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