Solar Inverters

These are the most common type and are suitable for residential and small commercial installations. This low-cost and durable option connects multiple solar panels in one or more “strings” and converts the DC electricity generated by the panels into AC electricity.

String inverters work best when used on roofs with direct sunlight and no shaded areas.

Microinverters are small, modular inverters installed on each solar panel. Unlike string inverters, which convert power from multiple panels at a central location, microinverters optimise each panel individually. The main benefit of microinverters is that they optimise power at the panel level, so the performance of one panel does not affect the others i.e. if one panel receives less sun, it won’t reduce the output of the rest of the system. For these reasons, we recommend them for homes with partly shaded or complex roof layouts. Their modular design also makes them a great choice if you have plans for future home extensions.

Microinverters are generally more costly so we only recommend them if they fit your situation; however, its worth noting that microinverters will last far longer than string inverters as they handle less power individually and therefore generate less heat.

Hybrid Inverters get their name from the hybrid functionalities of being a solar inverter that is completely battery ready. Much like your typical string solar inverters, but with an added bonus ­– they come with built-in battery connections for energy storage. This means you can store excess energy generated during the day for use later on. Consider hybrid inverters if you plan to add battery storage in the future.

Standard (non-hybrid) inverters can have batteries added, but this will require additional components and labor, consequently increasing the cost. Hybrid Inverters come fully equipped for battery connection straight out of the box!

A solar inverter is a box shaped component (commonly stored in the garage) of a solar energy system that converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is used to power household appliances, feeds into a Battery for later use or exported back into the grid.

Solar Inverters transforms the direct current (DC) electricity generated by your solar panels into the alternating current (AC) electricity required to power your lights, appliances and electronics. This matches the standard electrical grid allowing surplus energy to be exported back into the grid.

Yes, you will need both solar panels and an inverter to effectively harness solar power. Inverters acts as the bucket that collects rainwater—your solar energy. Just like choosing a bucket size, selecting the right inverter size is crucial. You can opt for a bigger bucket, but it’ll come at a higher cost. Regardless of how many rain collectors (solar panels) you have on your roof, the bucket (inverter) dictates how much energy you can store or send to the grid. So ensuring your bucket (inverter) matches your rain collectors’ (solar panels’) capacity is key to maximising your energy and usage.

In most cases, solar panels generate DC electricity, which must be converted to AC electricity by an inverter before it can be used or fed into the grid. There are systems that use DC appliances or DC-compatible loads, but these are relatively rare in residential and commercial settings.

No, solar inverters do not necessarily require a battery. While some solar energy systems include battery storage to store excess energy for use during times when solar power isn’t available, such as at night or during cloudy weather, many systems operate without batteries, feeding excess energy back into the grid for credit or compensation.

Selecting the correct size for your inverter is essential to match the maximum power output of your solar panels. If the inverter is too small, it won’t be able to manage the full output, resulting in energy wastage and could damage the inverter. Oversizing your inverter is not recommended unless you are expecting a higher usage in the next 5-10 Years e.g. home expansion, increase of house occupants or upgrading to an Electric Vehicle. During your consultation, the Stinson Air & Solar team will thoroughly cover all of these details with you.

Solar inverter clipping occurs when the system’s power production exceeds the total amount of energy the inverters can handle at any given time. If the inverter’s maximum output rating is exceeded, they’ll reduce or clip the amount of electricity.

It’s been more common practice recently in Australia to slightly undersize your inverter for it to reach maximum capacity, this is known as “overclocking”. Finding the perfect balance is something our team at Stinson Air & Solar can work out for you as overclocking your inverters too much can damage them.

Like any electronic device, as your system ages, it’s natural for some degradation to occur each year. For instance, if you lose 1% efficiency in the first year, subsequent losses might decrease to around 0.7% in the second year, 0.5% in the third and so forth. Over 15 years, these losses become relatively insignificant compared to the initial savings on the inverter.

The lifespan of a string inverter typically ranges from 10 to 15 years, while micro inverters can last 20+ years. The reason that micro inverters tend to last longer than string inverters is that they handle less power individually. This results in reduced wear from heat stress over time.

The lifespan of your can vary depending on factors such as quality, usage, maintenance, and environmental conditions. Regular maintenance and monitoring can help extend the lifespan of an inverter, but eventually, it will need to be replaced as part of routine system maintenance.