Micro inverter advantages

The advantages of Micro inverters are, they can increase a Solar Power System substantially immediate and more importantly over the longer time frame, Micro inverters have a longer warranty than the traditional Central Inverters currently used and require less maintenances a result.

Micro inverters work simply by providing each panel with its own power management system, the management of each panel in a system is key to greater results when using solar power, the isolation of each panel enables the system to perform at it optimum 100% of the time, the traditional method of using a central inverter has the effect of reducing the power gain to the weakest link in the system (Solar ARRAY) were as when Micro Inverters are installed the fact that each panel has its own invert eliminates this totally, if one panel in a solar array or string is at 80% as result of failure, shading, clouding or any manner of power production interference this issue is isolated to the panel in question allowing the other panels to perform at their optimum without reducing production to the weakest link, in some cases this can be extreme and reduce potential income substantially as result.

We use micro inverters extensively in China. Just list a few benefits, they offer flexibility, adaptability, easy upgrade for expansion, enhanced performance on the panel level and lower the initial investment threshold to get systems started. From a cost perspective, microinverters are more economical per watt below about 2.5 KW. For larger systems, it is about $0.75 per watt less expensive to install a central or string inverter (if orientation or shadowing are not an issue) Micro inverters do give enhanced performance but only if shadows or non-uniform layout (mixed orientation) is not a problem. With all other things being equal, string inverters will outperform micro´s and the cost per watt is substantially less for systems -- efficiency and ability to overstock power is better.

However, another advantage is related to failure -- with micro's there is no single point failure and loss of one inverter will not bring system down. However, others point out that the probability of single failure goes up with the number of units. Overall they are a good alternative and have a niche.

We prefer to use standalone micro inverters rather than panel integrated models. For cost flexibility we do not like to be married to a single panel brand or model, especially when there are hundreds of 60 cell modules compatible with many brands of micro inverters.