Solar Inverter | Reliable solar inverters convert direct current to alternating current – Energy Matters

By On Apr 7, 2022

In connection with renewable energies, Solar Inverter or inverter are devices that convert DC battery/solar panel voltage to grid-type AC power; suitable for use in your home or business.

View our huge range of true sine wave inverters

Without this conversion from DC to AC, special devices or adapters often have to be purchased – and DC devices are often more expensive than their AC counterparts. A solar inverter is an integral part of a system, but attention to this aspect is often overlooked. You can have the best solar panels available, but if your solar inverter is of poor quality, overall system performance can be severely impacted.

Reviews of solar inverters

The reviews to look for when buying solar inverters (depending on the type) are:

Continuous assessment: This is the amount of energy you can continuously use without the inverter overheating and shutting down.
Rating for half an hour: This is convenient as the continuous output may be too low to run a high drain power tool or device. However, if the device is used only occasionally, the rated output of half an hour can be quite enough.
Overvoltage protection: Some devices require a large surge of current to start, and once running they may require significantly less current to continue functioning. The inverter must be able to maintain its shock resistance for at least 5 seconds. TVs and refrigerators are examples of devices that require relatively little power when running but require a large surge of current to start.
IP rating – defines the ability of the inverter seals to prevent ingress of water and dust. Although some inverter manufacturers specify high IP ratings suitable for outdoor installation, the quality and location of gaskets and ventilation greatly affects the inverter’s ability to last the many years that solar arrays are expected to last.
Peak Efficiency – represents the highest efficiency that the inverter can achieve

Modified sine wave and real sine wave inverters in comparison

There are basically two types of inverters: modified sine wave (aka modified square wave) and real sine wave. The differences between these two types of inverters are subtle but significant in the way they work.

Examples of modified “sine” waves versus true sine waves:

Modified sine wave inverters

A modified sine wave inverter can provide enough power for some household appliances and power tools. It’s cheaper but can compromise somewhat on some loads like computers, microwave ovens, laser printers, watches, and cordless tool chargers. Almost all low-cost inverters are “modified sine waves”. A modified sine wave is easier and cheaper to make than a sine wave inverter.

It is also a fact that cheaper modified sine wave inverters have given this type of inverter a bad name. These inexpensive inverters are commonly available at electronics stores, hardware stores, automotive stores, and electronics suppliers. They usually lack many features like autostart or any kind of optimization ability. The devices typically have an efficiency of around 70%. So expect significant performance losses when using a modified sine wave inverter in your system. We do not sell such devices.

Real sine wave inverters

A true sine wave inverter, also known as a digital inverter, is designed to replicate and even improve the quality of electricity supplied by utilities. For the operation of high-quality electronic devices, experts recommend a sine wave inverter. Efficiency has reached as high as 98% and the power from these devices is of higher quality than mains power almost anywhere in the world.

We sell this type of solar inverters for on-grid and off-grid applications only.

A quality solar inverter for off-grid applications includes:

An autostart system. An auto-start allows an inverter to go into a low-power standby state when nothing is connected and powered on. This saves you a lot of manual switching and/or wasted energy
tweaking ability. A possibility to adjust parameters such as autostart and battery depth of discharge (for off-grid systems) is also helpful.
High-quality high-performance transformer. A heavy inverter usually means a high-quality, high-power transformer.

There are also major quality differences in sine wave inverters. Cheap imports flood our shores and in many cases these devices are inefficient and can pose safety issues. A long warranty is not a guarantee of quality, as companies can close up shop overnight, rendering the warranty useless. Make sure you buy a solar inverter that has been independently tested and has a proven history of reliable operation in Australia’s often harsh conditions.

Converting a modified sine wave inverter to a true sine wave
converter

If you have a modified sine wave inverter and suspect that you need a true sine wave inverter, please note that there is no “filter” or “retrofit” that you can apply to the output of a modified sine wave inverter in order to clean the output or switch to true sine wave.

Grid Connect Inverters – True or Modified Sine Wave?

All grid tied solar inverters as used in grid connected systems are true sine wave devices. All grid-tied inverters sold in Australia must meet minimum standards and be approved for use with grid power. Not all solar inverters are created equal, as this video clearly shows.

Grid-tied solar inverters withstand high and fluctuating voltage levels, extreme temperature ranges, humidity and dust. Quality inverters are key to the safety, efficiency, reliability and ease of use of solar power systems.

Tips for inverters without grid connection:

In general, any device that detects either voltage spikes or zero crossings could have problems when run on a modified sine wave. Devices like this should be powered by true sine wave inverters.

Ham radio and CB radio operators may notice HF noise from modified sine wave inverters; In this case, do not operate the radio and the inverter at the same time. Electronics that modulate RF (radio frequency) signals onto the AC power line will not function and can be damaged. You may notice a hum or buzz in the audio from televisions, radios and satellite systems used with modified sine wave inverters. Audiophiles or professionals using sophisticated audio, remote measurement, surveillance, or telemetry equipment should use true sine waves.

Examples of problematic devices are motor speed controllers that use triacs and some small battery chargers that do not contain a transformer between the mains and the load. For clarity, do not use a modified sine wave unless there is a “wall wart” between the battery charger (or the battery in the device) and the power plug.

What are inverter problem load devices?

Please note two other common problem loads: electric razors and emergency flashlights. Both items have batteries, but plug directly into the wall for charging without an external transformer. Do not use such items with a modified sine wave inverter. Using a modified sine wave inverter with a transformerless charger will likely damage your product.

Garage door openers, laser printers, and large flashes for photography are reportedly nuisance loads for modified sine wave inverters. They either don’t work at all or stop working altogether, so don’t take any chances – use a real sine wave.

As a general rule, products that run from a power supply will work fine with a modified sine wave inverter. These include chargers for laptops and cell phones, video games, chargers for camcorders and digital cameras. TVs generally work well; Some VCRs with cheap power supplies perform poorly. If so, consider switching to a different brand of VCR.

A potential solution for RV drivers or off-grid cottagers is to purchase our smallest true sine wave inverter to power TV, VCR and audio equipment and a larger modified sine wave inverter (such as the XPower 1750 Plus) for the coffee maker. hair dryer and microwave.

Micro vs. String Vs. Central Inverter

Buy off-grid/grid-tied inverters

Whether you need a grid-connected solar inverter or small 12-volt inverters for off-grid use; We have the range, brands and prices to impress! If you are not sure which is the best inverter for your needs, our friendly team will be happy to help you with expert advice.