if you are considering a solar panel system for your home, one of the key decisions you make is the type of inverter to install. Inverters convert direct current (DC) energy generated by your solar panels into usable alternating current (AC) energy. After the panels themselves, inverters are the most important equipment in your solar power system.


Breaking down solar panel inverter technologies: string inverters, microinverters, and power optimizers
There are three types of inverters that are currently available to you for your solar energy system: string (also known as centralized) inverters, microinverters, and power optimizers. Microinverters and power optimizers are often collectively referred to as “Module-Level Power Electronics” or MLPEs.


String inverters are by far the most commonly deployed option globally and comprise the vast majority of the world’s inverter market. However, MLPE technologies are rapidly gaining popularity and market share as their costs have come down. Despite the global dominance of string inverters, GTM Research found that over half of all residential solar systems installed in the U.S. in early 2014 used MLPE technologies.


String inverters are the most cost-effective inverter option available in the U.S. Solar installation companies will generally offer you a system with a string inverter if your roof is not shaded at any point during the day and does not face in multiple directions (such as a gabled roof).


How String Inverters Work
Your solar panels are arranged into groups connected by “strings.” Each string of panels is connected to a single inverter, which transforms the DC electricity produced by the panels into appliance-friendly AC electricity.


String inverter technology has been used for decades. It is a tried-and-true technology, but is not suitable for certain types of installations. A string of solar panels will only produce as much electricity as its least productive panel – if one or more of your solar panels is shaded during any part of the day, the power output from that entire string would be reduced to its level. For this reason, if your solar panels are installed facing different directions, a string inverter may not be a good choice

One of the most common reasons for a panel to produce less power or stop producing power altogether is shading from nearby objects. If your roof is prone to shading any time during the day or in certain seasons, you could either remove the source of the shade (e.g. cut down a tree) or install the panels where they will not be shaded.


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