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If you’re running a PV (photovoltaic) solar array, which is an interconnected network of solar panels working in unison to produce electricity, you’ll need a power inverter to store solar energy in your batteries or a battery bank. But why do you need a power inverter for a PV solar array?

Solar power inverters convert DC (direct current) power into AC (alternating current) energy, letting you run common household appliances and devices off a solar array. This converted power can either be drawn from PV modules directly, stored in batteries or both (depending on the design and size of your array).

Power inverters also help safeguard converted DC solar energy from harming or frying your 120- or 240-volt AC-powered devices. This holds true regardless of if you’re drawing energy directly from a PV solar array or from solar power collected and stored in batteries.

Inverters With Built-In Solar Inputs

You’ll encounter many different types of power inverters for use with solar arrays. Some of the options you’ll run across include off-grid and grid-connected inverters (providing power directly to appliances or the AC grid), as well as larger central inverters and smaller string inverters.

You will also come across pricier solar microinverters that work with single solar cell modules to collect the optimum amount of power by employing maximum power point tracking (MPPT) software and technology (often found in solar battery charge controllers). Some firms also build solar panels with built-in solar power inverters, in essence letting each panel connect directly to the power grid.

Hybrid solar power inverters come with an increased number of built-in inputs and outputs compared to more standard power inverters. If you’re in the market for this type of inverter, we’ll take a brief look at their pros and cons below.

The Pros of Inverters With Built-In Solar Inputs

While inverters that come with built-in solar inputs can be very limiting at times- due to the fact that these built-in solar input inverters may restrict the size of your overall solar system, they do have a few associated positive points. Some of these benefits include ease of use, plus a streamlined design that can sometimes eliminate the need to purchase additional gear like separate battery charger controllers.

Additionally, most of these inverters come with built-in solar charge controllers that allow for direct PV input- which some people may see as an advantage. But unfortunately, these built-in solar charge controllers can also be a significant drawback, because if they end up being too small for your power-converting needs, you will be severely limited in your system expansion capabilities and options.

The Cons of Inverters With Built-In Solar Inputs

And while hybrid solar power inverters due come with a few advantages, there are some significant disadvantages as well. As we’ve already pointed out, inverters with built-in solar inputs will dictate the size of your system- and even worse, they are not expandable.

Other cons include the substantial financial investment you’ll likely have to dish out upfront compared to other (less expensive) solar power inverter setups. Backup, along with pass-through power limitations (charging and drawing power from backup batteries at the same time), are additional negative points to consider, as are possible integration issues with your current solar power inverter setup.

And finally, you should be aware that if the built-in solar charge controller inside the inverter should malfunction, die or go bad, the entire inverter will then be rendered completely useless.

If you have any further questions about solar panels, kits and power inverters, please get in touch with The Inverter Store today. We’re more than happy to assist you with all of your solar power needs.