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Forum Index : Solar : Micro Inverters: worthwhile?

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George65
Guru

Joined: 18/09/2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 308
Posted: 10:03pm 11 Jan 2018
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Just bought a used system that comes with micro inverters.
Just wondering if they are worth having and make any real difference to the amount of power generated?


I take it they are normally mounted under the panels? I got the racking too but wasn't going to use it as it's more fiddling around. If the inverters are worth having then I'll just have to pull my finger out I suppose!
 
Alastair
Senior Member

Joined: 03/04/2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 161
Posted: 12:22am 12 Jan 2018
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If I understand correctly the micro inverters produce 240v AC at the panel and therefore the wires running down carry this voltage. Instinctively I don't like that but logically is it any different from a safety point of view than having a high DC voltage? The current from each unit is certainly small and hence only small wires are needed.
Cheers, Alastair
 
Tinker

Guru

Joined: 07/11/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1904
Posted: 09:36am 12 Jan 2018
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So, how exactly does that work? If one has 20 panels and a micro inverter on each how do they get in sync? Or is that something arranged via another, grid tied inverter that syncs the micro inverters?
I can't see any sense having to run 20 x 240V cables down when the same power could be done with just 2 bigger DC wires?

What am I missing here?
Klaus
 
Madness

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Joined: 08/10/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2498
Posted: 10:45am 12 Jan 2018
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They are supposedly more efficient, they all sync to the grid the same as one single GTI does. There is only 1 AC needed to go up to the panels.
There are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don't.
 
George65
Guru

Joined: 18/09/2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 308
Posted: 07:59am 13 Jan 2018
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Each inverter has a pair of leads that attach to the panel and another AC wire.
the AC all links up together with little terminal like blocks to suit the connectors and you wire the AC to that.

the advantage apparently is for strings that may have shaded panels.
Instead of dropping the output of the whole string, only the shaded panel makes less which is added tot he output of the others at full tilt.

Given I have no problems with this issue, I'm going to advertise and try and sell the things. They are around $200 to buy new so I'll see what they are worth used.

I was really hoping these could be used as stand alones but my tests with a meter showed they are grid tie the same as they all are I suppose.
 
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