First of all, we need to have an understanding of the role of inverters in solar energy systems:
An inverter is a key component in a solar energy system that converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) so that it can be used by a home or business. Solar panels can only generate direct current, whereas appliances used in homes and businesses require alternating current. The job of an inverter is to convert the direct current generated by your solar panels into alternating current so that your home or business can use it. In inverter selection, the efficiency of the inverter is also a reference item. The higher the efficiency of the inverter, the more AC power it converts and the less DC power is wasted. The price of an inverter also varies based on its efficiency. High-efficiency inverters are usually more expensive, but they can save money on your electricity bill and extend the life of your solar panels.
How to choose the solar inverter that suits you:
First we need to understand several common types of solar inverters:
Single Phase Inverter: A single phase inverter is the most common type of home solar inverter. It can power single-phase electrical appliances in the home, such as lamps, appliances and computers.
Three-phase inverters: Three-phase inverters can power three-phase appliances in the home, such as air conditioners, electric vehicle chargers, and power tools.
Micro-inverter: A micro-inverter is a new household solar inverter that has emerged in recent years. It is small in size and light in weight, and can be installed directly on the solar panel without using a solar distribution box.
When selecting a solar inverter, the following factors need to be considered:
Power of solar inverter
household power consumption
Inverter Efficiency
Is there a demand for electricity sales?
Is there a need to store electricity
Inverter Price and Maintenance Cost
Warranty Issues
According to different usage scenarios, the following inverter types can be obtained:
Hybrid inverters help store excess solar battery systems for their own use. A hybrid inverter can provide a small amount of backup power during an outage, or it can act as a standard solar PV inverter, exporting excess solar energy to the utility grid.
Conventional or off-grid inverters are an excellent choice for ships, commercial buses, mountain cabins, RVs and vacation homes, as well as for potential power outages. Off-grid inverters cannot be synchronized with the grid, but draw power from batteries instead of working with the grid.
Grid-connected inverter The grid-connected inverter or grid-connected inverter supplies power to the grid according to the corresponding phase and frequency. These inverters draw power directly from the solar panels when solar power is available, and automatically shut down if the utility loses supply.
Each solar panel has a microinverter. A microinverter converts DC power to AC power and routes the aggregated output to the grid or battery pack.
Microinverters are small, portable and have all the features of a central inverter. High performance and compact size, micro inverters work well in various applications.
Central inverters or large grid inverters are utility-scale inverters ranging from hundreds of kilowatts to hundreds of megawatts. The central inverter combines all the DC power it receives from the solar panels and converts it to AC power, all at once.
A string inverter is connected to a string of solar panels called a "solar array". Generally, a solar array consists of 15 solar panels. A string inverter combines the DC power it receives from a solar array and converts it to AC power.
This type of inverter is mainly used in commercial and residential solar projects such as garages, rooftops, ground mounts and tracker installations.
So far, I think everyone has been able to choose an inverter that suits them according to their own situation. Do you know any well-known brands of excellent inverters in the North American market? Next, let us learn about some well-known inverter brands in the North American market!
Top 10 Split-Phase Solar Inverters Manufacturers in the World
1. Solaredge Technologies, Inc.
SolarEdge, an Israel-based solar energy company, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of solar inverters and monitoring systems. Founded in 2006, the company has installed more than 1 billion watts of solar systems in more than 100 countries.
SolarEdge's line of home solar inverters includes:
SolarEdge HD-Wave: One of the most popular solar inverters. It has 98.5% efficiency and a 25-year warranty.
SolarEdge SE-2500H: is the highest efficiency output solar inverter. It has a power output of 2500 watts and 98.5% efficiency.
SolarEdge SE-3000H: The latest in solar inverters. It has a power output of 3000 watts and 98.5% efficiency.
2. Enphase Energy, Inc.
Enphase ( ENPH ) is a company that develops microinverters for individual solar panel installations in the US and globally. Its microinverter can perform energy conversion on a single solar panel while providing energy monitoring and control for a single solar panel.
Enphase is already the market leader in solar inverter technology, with a 48% market share in the US in 2020. In October 2021, the company launched its latest IQ8 solar microinverter. Known for their high efficiency, reliability and innovation, the company's microinverters help users save money on their electricity bills and reduce their carbon footprint.
Enphase's line of home solar inverters includes:
Enphase IQ 7+: is one of Enphase’s most popular solar inverters. It has 96.9% efficiency and a 25-year warranty.
Enphase IQ 7A: is an upgraded version of Enphase IQ 7+. It has 97.1% efficiency and a 25-year warranty.
Enphase IQ 8: is the latest solar inverter from Enphase. It has 97.3% efficiency and a 25-year warranty.
3. SMA Solar Technology AG
SMA is a German brand. Founded in Germany in 1981, it is an enterprise focusing on inverter R&D and manufacturing. Its main products include various grid-connected/off-grid/energy storage photovoltaic inverters and corresponding power generation/communication equipment, and its products are used all over the world.
With branches in 20 countries around the world, with more than 1,000 global technology patents, and continuous forward-looking technology pre-research and development, the global installation and application exceeds 65GW.
solar inverter Sunny series include-
Sunny Tripower CORE1
Sunny Tripower X
Sunny Tripower CORE2
Sunny Boy US
Sunny Central UP
4.GoodWe Power Technology Co., Ltd.
GoodWe Power Technology Co., Ltd. is an inverter manufacturer headquartered in Wujiang Economic Development Zone (Suzhou High-speed Railway New City), Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China. Founded in 2010, the company is one of the world's leading inverter manufacturers.
GoodWe offers a wide range of inverters, including single-phase inverters, three-phase inverters, micro-inverters and energy storage systems. Widely used in home, commercial and industrial solar systems. The company's inverters are also used in large solar power plants.
GoodWe's line of home inverters includes:
GoodWe H1 Hybrid: It has 98% efficiency and a 25-year warranty.
GoodWe H2 Hybrid: with storage battery function. It has 98% efficiency and a 25-year warranty.
GoodWe H3 Hybrid: It has battery function and three-phase output. It has 98% efficiency and a 25-year warranty.
5.Huawei Technologies Co.,Ltd.
Huawei is a globally recognized Chinese manufacturer.The inverter company provides FusionSolar smart PV solutions for commercial,residential,and utility applications.
Huawei's FusionSolar residential inverter portfolio includes:
Smart Energy Controller(single phase)
Smart Energy Controller(three phase)
Smart String Energy Storage System
Backup Box
Smart Dongle-WLAN-FE/4G
Smart PV Optimizer
Smart Power Sensor
6. Fronius International GmbH
Fronius International GmbH is an Austria-based solar technology company that develops and produces solar inverters, chargers, battery systems, cathodic protection systems and battery monitoring systems. Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Graz, Austria, the company employs more than 25,000 people worldwide and has offices in more than 30 countries.
Fronius' range of home solar inverters includes Symo, Symo Hybrid and Primo:
Fronius Symo is Fronius' best selling range of solar inverters. It is suitable for home and small commercial solar systems.
Fronius Symo Hybrid is a hybrid version of Fronius Symo. It is suitable for home solar system and has battery function.
Fronius Primo is Fronius' range of microinverters. It is suitable for home and small commercial solar systems.
7. Sol-Ark
Sol-Ark is an American solar storage company based in Riviera Beach, California. Founded in 2010, the company is a leader in the solar energy storage industry.
Sol-Ark's residential solar inverters are mainly for the North American market, and the product models are Sol-Ark 10/12/15/20.
8. OutBack Power Systems
OutBack Power is a Utah-based solar energy company focused on the development and manufacture of solar inverters, battery systems and battery management systems. Founded in 1999, the company is a leader in the solar industry.
OutBack Power's inverter range includes:
FX Series: The FX Series is OutBack Power's most popular inverter series. It is suitable for home and small commercial solar systems.
FX-T Series: The FX-T Series is the three-phase version of the FX Series. It is suitable for medium and large commercial solar systems.
Flex Series: The Flex Series is OutBack Power's newest range of inverters. It is suitable for home and small commercial solar systems and has more power and higher efficiency.
9. Tigo Energy, Inc.
Tigo Energy is a solar energy company headquartered in San Jose, California, USA. Founded in 2007, the company is a leading supplier of solar microinverters.
Amensolar ESS Co.,Ltd The company was established in 2016 and is a leader in the solar energy industry. The company mainly provides solar panels, solar inverters, energy storage batteries, solar brackets and solar accessories. Known for their high quality, reliability and innovation, Amensolar's products have been sold in more than 100 countries and regions around the world.
Amensolar's range of inverters includes:
N3H-X series: split-phase hybrid inverters mainly aimed at the North American market
N3H-A series: the product is mainly aimed at three-phase hybrid inverters in the 220/240V voltage market;
N1F-A series: the products are mainly off-grid inverters for the 220/240V voltage market;
Finish
Manufacturers of solar photovoltaic inverters have played a pivotal role in the progress of the entire industry in the development of the market, and have also laid a solid foundation for them to lead the industry. The global inverter market is expected to witness continuous growth owing to factors such as surging demand for renewable energy, continued rural electrification, and supportive government policies. Given the increasing importance of solar photovoltaic inverters in residential, commercial and industrial solar power systems, inverter manufacturing companies will play an important role in the future development of renewable energy.
