How to Choose Between String Inverters and Microinverters?
String Inverters
A solar string inverter works with 6-12 individual solar panels connected in a series. Generally, it is a standalone box installed near the electricity meter and the main service panel. For a residential system, there is usually only a single inverter or at the most two inverters depending on the size of the solar installation. Also Read: A Simple Guide to Smart Inverter TechnologyAdvantages of String Inverters
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Minimal Wiring Mishaps
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Cost-effective
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Easy Troubleshooting
Drawbacks of a String Inverter
- Compliance issues due to the inability to rapidly shutdown
- Low efficiency in shade
- Difficult to expand production capacity due to the high cost of adding a second-string inverter
- Short warranty of 8-12 years as opposed to the 25-year warranty of microinverters
- Lack of panel-level monitoring
Microinverters
Solar microinverters perform the same function as an average string inverter, but they are the size of an internet router and are installed under every solar panel on the roof. These are connected in parallel, so their performance would not reflect the performance of the least efficient panel as it does with string inverters.Advantages of a Microinverter
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Quick Shutdown Capability
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Panel-wise Monitoring
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Functions well Even in Places with Shade
Drawbacks of a Microinverter
- Hard to maintain due to a large number of inverters
- Not cost-effective compared to a string inverter, especially for a standard 5kW residential installation.
- Not suitable for stormy areas as the microinverters may sometimes act as mini lightning rods.
Microinverters vs. String Inverters: Which is Better?
String inverters come out on top owing to their simplicity and the fact that they do not fail with the frequency that microinverters fail with. Since the inverter is the most complicated part of a solar energy system, having around 20 microinverters and routinely checking whether or not the individual inverters have failed is quite a complicated thing to do. You may also need to pay extra for the panel-level monitoring functionality of the microinverter. However, microinverters are not without their uses; they can be quite handy in places with heavy shading, have rapid shutdown requirements, and have panels facing different directions. If you still are not clear on which one to pick, do not hesitate to reach us at Genus. We have a fine selection of solar inverters and will be glad to help you make a purchase that is optimal for you.
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