Blog - Micro-Inverters

FAQ: MicroInverter Questions and Answers

FAQ: MicroInverter Questions and Answers

22.Dec 2012
| Blog - Micro-Inverters

Question: Why do you recommend to use a 250Wp or even 280Wp solar panel with the MicroInverter, that has only 230W AC output power?

Answer: The solar panel specification (250Wp or 280Wp) is the peak power at the ideal condition of direct sunshine at 1000W/m2. On most installations this ideal condition will be present only few days in a year. Most of the time, the sunshine condition of the installation is worse than the theoretical maximum. That is why it is better to use a large size panel to utilize all power available from the MicroInverter. 

The MicroInverter works at the MPPT mode and it will draw only the maximal power up to its own maximal power specification.  This means that during the sunshine peaks the inverter takes only the energy it can process up to its hardware limits.

Hint:  in winter times it may be even possible to join together two (even three) solar panels (of the same specifications) in parallel to increase the real yield from the installation during the short and cloudy winter days.

Question: Can the MicroInverter work as stand alone inverter? (in an island mode).

Answer:  No. The MicroInverters are designed as grid-on (grid-tied) inverters. They work only in harmony with the grid.  If the grid is disconnected, the MicroInverter turns off immediately. This is the anti-islanding function required by the European standards. It is not possible to disable this function.

Question:What is the self consumption of the Micro-Inverter?

Answer:  As soon as the inverter does not produce energy, it turns into stand-by mode. In the stand-by mode the inverter turns off completely untill there is some sunshine again. The inverter has only a very small energy consumption. This consumption is bellow 0.2W per 1 inverter.

Aditional tip: In order to reduce the self-consumption of the Micro-Inverter system to full ZERO, it is suggested to make a complete disconnection of the AC line when ever the energy is not produced. This can be done my means of a mechanical switch or by means of timer control or sun-shine (light level) control.

32 visitors online.
All Rights reserved © 2024 GWL Group a.s. - GShop v. 1.4.8