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As the core equipment in photovoltaic systems, the selection of the right size of inverter for solar power directly affects the power generation efficiency, safety, and economy of the system. However, faced with numerous inverter brands, models, and different sizes of inverter for solar power on the market, many photovoltaic practitioners and users often feel at a loss when selecting, fearing that choosing the wrong equipment will affect the quality and efficiency of the entire photovoltaic system.
This article will comprehensively analyze the role of size of inverter for solar power and selection points of photovoltaic inverters, helping you easily master the selection skills of inverters.
Why is it important to choose size of inverter for solar power right
The following are important reasons for size of inverter for solar power.
Firstly, the size of inverter for solar power affects power generation efficiency. If the inverter capacity is too small to convert all the direct current generated by photovoltaic modules into alternating current, it will result in a loss of power generation; If the inverter capacity is too large, although it can meet the power generation demand, it will increase the cost and equipment volume.
Secondly, the size of inverter for solar power affects system stability. Appropriate inverter capacity can ensure the stable operation of the system and avoid faults caused by overload or underload. For example, if the inverter capacity is too small, overload protection may occur when the load is large, leading to system power outages; If the capacity of the inverter is too large, it may experience underload operation when the load is low, which affects the lifespan and efficiency of the inverter.
The final size of inverter for solar power affects investment costs. The selection of inverter capacity directly affects the purchase and installation costs of the equipment. Generally speaking, the larger the capacity of the inverter, the higher the cost. Therefore, when selecting inverter capacity, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the power generation demand, investment cost, and operational efficiency of the system.
Therefore, choosing the appropriate size of inverter for solar power is very important. For beginners who are new to photovoltaic modules, how can they determine which sizes of inverter for solar power on the market meet their needs?
Common size of inverter for solar power
Before making a purchase, it is necessary to understand the common sizes of inverters for solar power.
Centralized inverter
The single machine power is generally between 500-2500kW, suitable for large photovoltaic power plants, such as large factories, desert power plants, ground power plants, etc.
String inverter
The single machine power is between 3-60kW, and the mainstream models have a single machine power of 30-40kW, suitable for small and medium-sized photovoltaic systems, small and medium-sized rooftop photovoltaic power generation systems, and small ground power stations.
Micro inverter
Single unit size of inverter for solar power below 1kW, suitable for household photovoltaic power plants below 10kW in North America.
How to choose solar inverter size
The required size of inverter for solar power can be calculated based on the total power of the solar panel and its average daily/monthly power consumption.
Generally speaking, the selection of inverter power should be greater than the power of solar panels. For example, if the solar panel is 2000W, the matching size of inverter for solar power should exceed 2000W. If the electrical load involves impact loads or inductive loads, the inverter needs to choose a looser power range.
How to size an inverter
How to choose the appropriate size of inverter for solar power? For example, some users may have configured 5000W photovoltaic modules, but have chosen a 4000W inverter. Will this combination affect power generation efficiency?
In fact, the main focus is on two issues. Once these two issues are understood, everyone can judge for themselves whether it is appropriate to install and match how much.
Firstly, the first question we need to explore is what percentage of the photovoltaic module capacity is considered appropriate for the inverter in a photovoltaic system. The second issue to be explored is whether the capacity of inverters is less than that of photovoltaic modules, which will affect power generation?
In the actual power generation process, photovoltaic modules may not always be able to achieve output power. Therefore, we can moderately reduce the inverter capacity (such as controlling the capacity ratio at around 1.2). Although there may be slight restrictions on power generation during the extremely sunny noon period, the overall annual power generation impact is usually less than 1%, which can be almost ignored..
So appropriately reducing the size of inverter for solar power leads to a concept in solar photovoltaic systems, the capacity ratio, which is commonly used in photovoltaic power plants, but can be used as a reference for buyers who need to purchase household inverters or small commercial inverters. This term refers to a matching ratio of component capacity and inverter capacity.
Actually, the reason for having less capacity than components is entirely based on cost considerations. For example, the larger the capacity of an inverter, the higher its corresponding cost. I can reduce the capacity of this inverter appropriately, which can actually save some costs. There are no other factors, just to reduce costs.
But then again, how much less capacity can my inverter have than its components? This involves the 'capacity ratio' mentioned earlier.
The capacity ratio (i.e. total power of components ÷ rated power of inverter) between 1.15 and 1.25 is considered a reasonable range. That is to say, a 5000W component paired with a 4000W inverter (with a capacity ratio of 1.25) is completely acceptable, especially in areas with unstable sunlight intensity or mid to high latitudes.
So, a calculation formula to determine whether the required photovoltaic system mix ratio is reasonable is to divide the capacity of the components by the capacity of the inverter. If this value is between 1 and 1.25, there is basically no problem.
How many panels can a 5kW inverter handle
The number of solar panels that can be connected to a 5kW inverter depends on factors such as the power of the solar panels, the input voltage range of the inverter, and the overshoot ratio in practical applications.
In practical applications, to fully utilize the capacity of inverters, overloading is often used. If calculated according to the over matching ratio of 1.2, the total power that a 5kW inverter can connect to solar panels is 6kW. Taking a 500W solar panel as an example, 12 high efficienct solar panels can be connected; Taking a 450W solar panel as an example, it can connect about 13 pieces. If you want to calculate by yourself, here is the solar power calculation formula for your reference.
What size inverter do I need for 400W solar panel
If you only have one 400W photovoltaic panel, you can choose to adapt the inverter. Small inverters ranging from 300W to 400W are suitable for small independent power supply or portable systems.
What size inverter is suitable for a 100W solar panel
For a 100W photovoltaic panel, inverters ranging from 100W to 150W can be selected. If it is an off grid application (such as charging a 12V battery with an inverter output), it is recommended to use a 150W pure sine wave inverter to ensure stable electrical use. High quality Tycorun pure sine wave inverter is here for you to choose.
Conclusion
Photovoltaic inverters play a crucial role in photovoltaic systems. When selecting, various factors should be comprehensively considered, such as determining the type based on demand, identifying efficiency and brand, and considering other factors. Choosing the appropriate inverter ensures the efficient, safe, and stable operation of the photovoltaic system.
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