Solar inverters convert DC generated by photovoltaic systems into AC for use on-site or to feed into the grid. They have identifying features for use with PV arrays, such as MPPT, and can be used with battery systems. There are two types: off-grid and grid-tied. Grid-tied units can feed excess electricity back into the grid and require anti-island measures to prevent isolation.
Solar inverters are components commonly found in photovoltaic (PV) power systems. The purpose of a solar inverter is to transform the direct current (DC) generated by a photovoltaic system into alternating current (AC), which can be fed into an electricity grid or consumed on site. These inverters can be used in conjunction with battery systems or to directly power certain devices. They also tend to have some identifying features that are specifically intended for use with photovoltaic arrays, such as maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Some inverters used to connect a PV array to an electrical grid also have insulation protection.
When photovoltaic panels are used to generate electricity from solar radiation, the resulting output is a variable direct current. This is similar to the type of electricity found in batteries and must be changed to AC before it can power a home or business. The process of changing direct current into alternating current is done by an inverter, although most of these devices are designed to operate on non-variable direct current. Unlike most other inverters, a solar inverter is specifically designed to work with the variable DC generated by the PV arrays.
MPPT is one of the specialized functions that can be built into a solar inverter. This technology allows the solar inverter to apply a load to each photovoltaic cell to obtain the highest possible power level. Several algorithms can be used in MPPT systems, although all are intended to increase efficiency in this general way.
The two main types of solar inverters are defined by whether they are intended for use in off-grid or grid-tied applications. Off-grid inverters are used to directly power a home or business that is not receiving electricity from any external source. Grid connected units are required for applications where the home or business is connected to an external power grid. In addition to providing power to a local site and charging backup batteries, grid-connected units are also able to feed excess electricity back into the system. As the premises may receive energy from the grid or from an on-site PV array, additional precautions may be required.
In most cases, grid-connected inverters need to shut down if the premises are disconnected from the external power grid. Certain circumstances can lead to a solar inverter continuing to operate after such disconnection, which is a phenomenon known as isolation. Many solar inverters contain anti-island measures to prevent this from happening and these features are sometimes required by local utilities before a PV array can be connected to the grid. Other inverters have circuits that can intentionally isolate premises from the grid so that the PV array supplies electricity only to the local site.
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