| Solar power inverters play a critical role in your | | | | Consequently, your solar power inverter cleans |
| home solar installation. | | | | this shifting amount of electricity into a more |
| Solar panels for home use typically include a | | | | cohesive signal. At this point, the electricity you |
| number of photovoltaic modules (PVs). One | | | | have generated for home use is very much like |
| module by itself is not enough to produce the | | | | the power you purchase from the grid. |
| power you are likely to need, so a number of | | | | If your solar generator does not perform this |
| cells are they grouped together in what is called | | | | cleaning, your current is ineffectual – even if |
| an array. | | | | you are using only DC wired appliances. There |
| A solar PV array generates a direct current (DC) | | | | are other approaches to cleaning your power |
| of electricity. However, in North America at | | | | signal, but the inverter is usually the preferred |
| least, the electrical supply used is an alternating | | | | method. |
| current (AC). Our appliances and other electrical | | | | Two Types of Solar Power Inverters |
| gadgets are set up to accept AC power. | | | | If you could see the AC current that we receive |
| Therefore, your DIY solar panels require a solar | | | | in our homes, it would appear to be an "up and |
| power inverter to convert the current from DC | | | | down" sine wave. This is called sinusoidal. |
| to AC. | | | | There are two different kinds of inverters. |
| How the Conversion Works | | | | The first kind, called a "true sine wave" is both |
| The electricity that arrives at our homes is | | | | more costly and more dependable. |
| typically an AC current of 50/60Hz. (Some | | | | The second kind, called a "modified sine wave" or |
| variations may occur among locations). Electricity | | | | sometimes a "quasi-sine wave" comes with a |
| is usually delivered over long distances as AC | | | | lower price tag, but has a down side that you |
| rather than DC because this method is the most | | | | might want to avoid. |
| efficient way to curtail losses. | | | | Some DIYers have found that the quasi sine |
| When we turn on an electrical device, the | | | | wave inverters have occasionally delivered an |
| appliance may utilize the AC energy directly, but | | | | overload with corresponding harm to certain |
| most use a small transformer to convert it back | | | | electrical devices. This happens because this |
| into DC. | | | | type of inverter conveys current in the form of a |
| If you wanted to use your home solar power | | | | simulated sine wave instead of a genuine sine |
| directly without converting it into AC, you could | | | | wave. |
| do so, but you would have to rewire each | | | | It is unwise to skimp on the solar power inverter |
| electrical device that you use. Some people | | | | that you use in your installation. These inverters |
| experiment by building a little solar array that they | | | | are available with different specifications, including |
| use to operate only a few appliances, perhaps | | | | various ranges of input voltages and power |
| one or two lamps that they have rewired. | | | | outlets. The most costly inverters come with |
| Cleaning Your Home Solar Electricity | | | | enhanced features including protection from |
| Converting your home solar electricity from DC | | | | overload, protection from shorts and a heftier |
| to AC is not the only function of your solar | | | | design. |
| inverter. It must also clean your electricity. | | | | DIY guides are available to walk you through the |
| Since your home solar installation receives | | | | steps of deciding the best inverter choices for our |
| fluctuating quantities of the sun's rays, it will | | | | home solar power installation needs. |
| generate differing amounts of power. | | | | |