Solar panels collect sunlight. But how does that sunlight turn into electricity?
This is where the essential part of a residential solar system comes into play: a solar inverter. A solar inverter takes the electricity your solar panels make and turns it into electricity the devices in your home can use.
Solar panels are an investment that returns long-term savings, enjoys a generous tax credit from the government and can provide you with reliable clean energy for years. And while solar adoption is on the rise, if you don’t know how a solar panel system works, you’re likely not alone.
While the solar inverter market is dominated by just a couple of options, knowing how inverters work will help you make sure your system is optimized and fits your needs. Going into your inverter shopping experience armed with information will ensure you’re getting the best deal available.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is a solar inverter and what do they do?
An inverter’s main function is changing the electricity from direct current to alternating current. Solar panels generate direct current electricity, which can’t be used by the grid. An inverter ensures the power you generate is compatible with the grid by switching it to alternating current.
Inverters today do a lot more, though. They’re the bit of equipment that monitors and reports power generation and usage. If a solar panel system offers monitoring online or through an app (it likely will), the inverters are collecting and sharing that information.
