The efficiency of the inverter drives the efficiency of a solar panel system. Inverters change the Direct Current (DC) from solar panels into Alternating Current (AC), which is what we use in our homes and businesses.
This article talks about how to pick the right size for your solar inverter. We also look at different solar inverter prices and brands, to help you choose the right one.
This leads many to wonder what effect over-sizing or under-sizing an inverter will have on overall system efficiency.
Understanding Solar Inverters
A solar system’s inverter works best within a specific ‘window’ of operation. This ‘window’ is the range that the inverter is designed to work in. You can usually find it in the inverter’s details or specifications.
As the power input from the system’s solar panels goes up and down, the inverter’s ability to efficiently convert it from DC electricity to AC electricity differs.
Solar Inverter Efficiency System Performance
As long as the input from the panels falls within the range of the window, the inverter can be considered to be operating optimally.
In the graph below, the red line represents an average inverter efficiency and the green arrow represents the power output from your solar panels.
The grey box shows the operational window of the inverter based on the input from the solar panels and the predetermined efficiency of the inverter.
Optimal Sizing for Maximum Efficiency
In this case, an efficiency of less than about 83% would be considered ‘sub-optimal’, and ideally the system should be sized to minimise the amount of time during the day that the inverter operates within this range.
Under-sizing Your Inverter
Using the graph above as an example, under-sizing your inverter will mean that the maximum power output of your system (in kilowatts – kW) will be dictated by the size of your inverter.
The Role of Inverter Size in Solar Panel Output
Regardless of the output of the solar panels, the power output will be cut off (‘clipped’) by the inverter so that it does not exceed the inverter’s rated capacity (e.g. 3kW, 5kW etc).
Your installer may suggest an undersized inverter if they determine that the amount of incident solar irradiation (sunlight) on your panels will be lower than expected – because of your location & climate, the orientation of your panels, or other factors.
Inverter under-sizing – sometimes referred to as ‘overclocking’ – has become a common and widely accepted practice in Australia – even endorsed by inverter manufacturer SMA, one of the largest and most respected names in the industry. (Read more about overclocking.)
Efficiency Gains at Different Times of the Day
Although under perfect conditions the maximum power output of a solar system will be ‘clipped’ back to the inverter’s output through overclocking through the middle of the day, there can also be gains in the overall amount of energy (kilowatt-hours – kWh) generated.
The gains come from additional energy being produced in the early morning and late afternoon as a smaller inverter will turn on sooner and off later and operate more efficiently with lower DC inputs.
The chart below offers an illustration of how the midday losses (red) associated with an ‘under-sized’ inverter can be offset by morning and afternoon gains (green).
Under the Clean Energy Council rules for accredited installers, the solar panel capacity can only exceed the inverter capacity by 33%. That means for a typical 5kW inverter you can go up to a maximum of 6.6kW of solar panel output within the rules.
Over-sizing Your Inverter
Installing an inverter whose maximum capacity is greater than the nominal capacity of your solar panel array may be an option if you’re looking to expand your solar panel array at some point in the future, but it is not generally recommended.
In this scenario, the overall energy yields from your solar system may be lower than of a perfectly sized or under-sized inverter – especially if it is significantly oversized.
Although inverters are generally designed to handle lower power inputs than their nominal capacity, there are limits to this.
It’s therefore important to ask your installer questions about how your system will perform in the event that an over-sized inverter is suggested – e.g. how would your overall energy yields differ over the next 5-10 years with an over-sized inverter vs a ‘right-sized’ or under-sized inverter?
Balance this against the cost of the various system configurations before making your final decision.
Conclusion
Solar inverter under-sizing (or solar panel array oversizing) has a become common practice in Australia and is generally preferential to inverter over-sizing.
If an inverter is under-sized, this should happen within certain parameters – which accredited solar installers will be familiar with.
Related Posts
For more information oem inverter manufacturer, please get in touch with us!