Inverters are the heart of a solar PV system. Without this magical device, we could not use the electricity generated by the sun. Every solar system we install at StraightUp Solar includes the essential inverter, so you can start reaping the benefits from day one. Contact us today for a free custom solar assessment!
Inverters flip the direct current (DC) electricity generated from the solar panels into alternating (AC) electricity to power your home. They are in direct communication with your home’s electrical panel and the solar modules at all times. If the system ever malfunctions, your inverter will alert you.
Among the numerous types available, the two most common inverters are string inverters and microinverters.
String Inverters
Microinverters
String Inverters
String inverters perform best under direct sunlight and tie together solar modules along one current. The entire string’s productivity is negatively affected if any part of the array is blocked by shade. However, power optimizers are included and work to find the maximum energy point in the ever-changing light or temperature conditions.
Microinverters
A microinverter flips the electrical current from direct to alternating at each panel, creating individual connections. Attached to the back of each panel, microinverters immediately capture the energy absorbed by the solar modules.
In contrast to string inverters, a shade-covered panel with an individual current won’t affect the entire system. Alternating currents from each microinverter are attached to a junction box, which then connects to your home’s electrical panel.
Inverter Characteristics
Inverter Size
The inverter size depends on how much energy your solar PV system will produce for your house. Our Project Developers will design a system with the correct inverter size to capture the maximum power generated from your system cost-effectively.
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When an inverter is too small, your energy production might be cut off or clipped - even on sunny days. Inverters too large for a home may have greater capacity than what your house needs.
Inverter Battery Storage
StraightUp Solar sells Enphase Energy and SolarEdge inverters, but we also service those from various other manufacturers. Typically, companies pair inverters with their brand's battery storage or EV charging stations.
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On the other hand, some brands can couple with another manufacturer’s product in addition to their own. Whatever the combination may be, you can trust our team of solar professionals to provide, install, and maintain your inverter package.
Inverter Warranty
Inverters typically have 10-12 year manufacturer warranties with extensions up to 25 years. StraightUp Solar offers a 10-year workmanship guarantee in addition to the manufacturer's warranty, so you can be confident that your entire solar array works for you.
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Your Project Developer can assist you with determining the inverter combination and warranty that’s best for you.
Do Solar Panels Work During a Power Outage?
All solar PV systems installed by StraightUp Solar are grid-connected. In the case of a power outage, the inverter begins a process called “anti-islanding.” The inverter rapidly shuts off the entire system (unless you have solar battery storage) to protect excess electricity from entering the grid during repairs.
StraightUp Solar carries Enphase iQ8 inverters with a “sunshine backup” capability. During daylight hours, the inverters can safely provide electricity to your home, even if the power is down. Although still disconnected from the grid, the inverters can maintain electrical circulation inside your electric panel.
Request a Custom Solar Quote Today
StraightUp Solar is a turn-key solar company that has provided design-to-build solar solutions for homes and businesses since 2006. We've got you covered if you're seeking a complete solar system, battery storage, EV charging station, or smart panels. Driven by our CLEARE values, we ensure your project meets expectations in an environmentally conscious manner. Request a solar quote today to get started.
"StraightUp is AWESOME!!! Charles is AWESOME as well. We had a wonderful experience with you. Initial plan was perfect, the install plan was perfect and everyone was very professional and informative. Before we decided to go Solar, we spoke with three other companies. They were pushy and rude and not really answering questions. I can’t say enough about Straight Up Solar. They are the BEST!!!"
“We were looking at putting in a larger system and from the first encounter with StraightUp Solar they knew all of the regulations and steps our system would have to adhere to. Not only were they incredibly knowledgeable about the entire solar process, but they were also friendly and easy to work with.”
"Thanks to StraightUp Solar for the installation of my solar array. It has been up and running for over a month and we are very happy with it. The installation team and electricians did a great job, were very professional and kept us in the loop every step of the way."
"[Solar] is a good investment because obviously it limits a variable for our company. The largest cost we have is our labor. Coming in #2 behind that is the cost of the energy that we need to put into our steel and aluminum to get it hot enough to be able to form it. By having solar panels... you're fixing one of those variables. We have enough of a challenge with steel costs and labor. To be able to freeze one of those variables I think puts us in an advantageous position over a lot of our competitors."
SOLAR TROUBLESHOOTING: How to Solve the Most Common Solar Issue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAalwKMAYmE&list=PLbTp8Uopc4jboa0b_8iHALNwvmjaJS5jD&index=5 Hi, my name is PaKou. I am a service intake specialist at StraightUp Solar.
https://youtu.be/G3BkqE_oJeM Meet Cameron McCurdy, owner of ProTek Communications. In this video, he explains why he chose StraightUp Solar to install a commercial solar energy system