What Size Inverter Do I Need for a 100-watt Solar Panel? | My Blog
You would need a 12 V DC to 220v AC, 300 to 600 Watt range inverter, or converter for the power generated from the 100-watt solar panel. The power generation of the solar panel could be different base on the various circumstances.
What does a power inverter do?
The inverter is also known as the AC driver or Variable frequency drive. It is an electronic device that changes the Direct Current to the Alternating Current. The inverter device is also responsible for controlling the electricity’s speed with the torque for electric motors.
The device turns the direct current coming from the Solar panel to the alternate current.
The alternate current or the AC is the most reliable source of the electric current as it reduces the pressure on the equipment and gives the full potential to the appliance to run smoothly.
The inverter is similar to your home power grid that you use to plug and run your home appliances and devices.
It powers all your electronic equipment as a standard DC power source. However, compared to the DC power source, the AC offers more reliability and less electricity loss.
The inverter itself could not provide the electricity. It entirely depends on the power supply from the DC source.
The input voltage, output voltage, and frequency of the electricity determine the power handling while using the device.
Power inverters are majorly used in the field where high electric current equipment is used.
The voltage-current passing through circuits needs to be moderated before it reaches the electronic device. The high voltage direct current can damage your electronic device instantly.
Here are some of the benefits you get to enjoy when connecting the inverter to your solar power generation system.
1) Convert DC to AC power:
The primary function of the inverter is to convert the direct current to the alternate current. When you connect your solar panel to the inverter or the batteries, the flow of the current from the solar panel is in the form of DC.
The DC is unstable and can go up and down frequently, which adds pressure to the equipment. On the other hand, alternate current smoothes out the direct current and moves the flow of the current back and forth.
2) Maximizes the Power:
The inverter is responsible for adjusting power output in the low voltage current receiving from the DC. It moderates the current and identifies the wrong peak in the string. It reduces the overall energy production of the system when the DC is fluctuating.
3) Interface with the grid:
The smart inverter tracks the flow of the energy and works to reduce the load on the equipment. When there is direct current interference, the inverter monitors the change in the energy flow.
If the frequency lasts longer, the inverter holds the power distribution until the current is stabilized. It can support the grid system to run specific voltage, frequency, communications, and controls.
4) Power production report:
The inverter can track the power production and report to the owner frequently. Modern inverters come with internet connectivity and Bluetooth technology support that connects to the Smartphone and exchanges data.
The information shared by the inverter would be useful to identify the flow of electricity in your solar panel grid. You can take the decision based on the received data and make your solar energy helpful system.
Solar panel owners can check the error codes, diagnose the issue, and get real-time power production information from the inverters. Various smartphone applications are available that make data reading easy.
5) Ensure Safe System operation:
The inverter work as a safety device that tracks the solar power generation system’s performance, and in case of an unexpected event, it shuts down the electrical arc.
The problem occurs when the system aging and materials degradation happens after using the equipment for several years. Inverters are program to identify the arcs and shut down in time before it reaches the point where the equipment can be damaged.
How do you find the inverter size for solar panels?
Generally, the inverter’s size is calculated based on the DC rating of your solar panel system. If you are installing the 10-kilowatt system, you must have around inverter with 10000 watts, plus or minus a small percentage.
Your solar array size is a crucial loss on the power generation and maximum utilization of the connected equipment.
Your inverter will convert the direct current from the solar panel system; therefore, the inverter must have the capacity to convert the power into useful energy.
Your inverter must have the capacity to handle the load and avoid any damage to the whole system.
The inverter manufacturers generally list the size guideline on the specification sheet. You should select the compatible inverter that suits your solar panel system and capable of handling the devices.
If you connect the inverter to your solar panel system that does not support the voltage would damage the inverter.
Also, the manufacture void the warranty if the inverter is connected to the extensive grid system.
How to choose a 100-watt solar panel kit with an inverter?
Many manufactures offer the complete kit of the solar panel with the inverter. You can check online and compare it with different brands. The complete package also helps you to acquire the service at the best price.
However, buying a single piece of equipment could be beneficial if you want a customized solution.
The combined kit would have limited access to the equipment. So whatever is already in the pack, you have to satisfy with the given equipment.
In contrast, buying the solar panel equipment separately gives you the advantage of selecting the individual parts as per your needs.
You can also arrange the different setup, cables, and equipment that helps you to assemble the equipment in place.
However, you may need technical support to understand some of the equipment to ensure it is compatible with the system. For example, the connection cable must support the solar panel.
Follow the below guideline while buying the 100-watt solar panel kit with an inverter.
Ensure that the quality of the product is high. In the majority of the cases, the manufacture uses the low price to attract more customers.
The low price indicates that the product is low quality and it cannot serve the purpose. Use the product from the brand.
The brand products are manufactured with rigorous testing, which gives assurance of high quality.
2) The capacity:
Solar panels would have capacity grading mention in the specification section. Check the details and understand how much energy the whole system can generate.
Compare that with your daily use or the need for energy for the particular device. If the system cannot fulfill your requirement, it is not useful, and you may lose money on it.
Always check the size of each piece of equipment packed in the package. The solar panel output is determined based on the size of the panel.
The more the solar panel assembles into one sheet, the more energy it can produce. Also, the panel’s size would give you a rough estimation of how much energy it could produce in a day.
You can calculate the final output by calculating the overall production capacity of the solar panel.
Also, when it comes to assembling the solar system in your home or commercial building, the size is essential as you may have limited space for the system.
The large size solar panel would be difficult to assemble; hence it would create trouble.
Final Verdict:
If you have any trouble deciding the inverter’s size for the 100 solar panels, you can consult with the store owner.
He will suggest you the best option available in the market that makes the solar panel run smoothly and does its job of producing solar energy.
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Originally published at https://walkingsolar.com.
