![]() Proponents of micro-inverters refer to this quality as ‘no single point of failure.’Īnother critical factor to consider is that of cabling.įor example, the direct current wiring of string inverters means that they are connected in series. In all honesty, you may not even notice the reduction in power until you receive the notification from your system. If one micro-inverter should fail in your 5kW system it would represent a reduction of just less than 6% in the total output. This is not the case with micro-inverters. So when a string inverter system fails, that is the end of your solar-induced power. In saying that, inverters of either type are the weakest part of a system and are most likely to fail. One of the significant advantages of a micro-inverter system is that of dependability. Conversely, a string inverter may only enjoy protection for half of that period. Industry standards indicate that micro-inverters are far more reliable than their string counterparts.Īdditionally, the warranties on micro-inverters stretch to over 20 years. However, in the next section, we’ll look at the advantages of a micro-inverter vs a string inverter.Īre Micro Inverters Worth The Extra Cost? Dependability With an average price of around $250, this would indicate a total cost of just over $4,000 for a whole system.Īs a general guide, the mico-inverter system will cost about 25 – 30% more to install than a string inverter.Īdmittedly, this is significantly more than the comparable cost of a string inverter. Then there are the versions with wireless remote controls, which seem to range in the higher $200 realm. They then increase according to features such as waterproofing, which shoots the price up to over $300. The average price of micro-inverters is a little misleading because there is a range of available features. We simply want to know the number of panels required. Theoretically, this would provide just over 5kW, but that is not important for our calculations. Each with the potential of producing 300 Watts. Here we would be looking at a 5 kW solar system which would require 17 panels. The fairest way to compare the relative cost of micro-inverters to string inverters is to look at the total cost of a standard domestic system. How Much Do Micro Inverters Cost On Average? This may be the result of the panel’s orientation or other reasons, but the benefit of micro-inverters is that they can maximize the energy produced by each panel independently. While the quality of solar panels has soared, there remain subtle differences in the output of individual panels. The reality though is that micro-inverters simply harvest all the available electricity from each solar panel independently. It conjures up images of little robots rushing about hurrying electrons along. Micro-inverter on the underside of a solar panel.Īdvertisers of micro-inverters always refer to their products as “doing their best”. The switches are aligned so that the electrons flowing in the conductor are forced to change direction every time the switches are switched on and off. Imagine flicking two switches rapidly in a DC circuit. What these transistors do is very similar to a switch. Micro-inverters contain a number of IGBT ( Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors). In many instances, manufacturers fit micro-inverters to the solar panel itself, which saves considerable on-site fitting time on DIY solar builds. The latter allows you to track the performance of your solar panels. These tiny inverters, ranging in size between 200 – 250 Watts, transfer not only energy but data as well. In fact, they are small enough that you can fit them to individual solar panels. Are Micro Inverters Worth The Extra Cost?Ī micro-inverter, as the name suggests, is a small inverter.How Much Do Micro Inverters Cost On Average?.When Would You Use A Micro-Inverter in Your Setup?.
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