Introduction to string-inverter and microinverter
A string inverter is a stand-alone equipment installed nearby your fuse box and electricity meter.  It alters the DC current into AC current used for electricity. There are normally up to two string inverters per residential solar installation. As for micro-inverters, the device functions similarly to string inverters but are installed underneath each roof panel. Each micro-inverters is about the size of an internet router. The contrast is that a solar panel installation with micro inverters will have the same number of microinverters as there are solar panels. Both types of inverters are quite resourceful but does vary upon how your solar panels are laid out prior to choosing the right inverter for you.
 

String - Inverters 101

A string inverter works in a series circuit with typically being 6-10 individual solar panels in what is known as a string. The advantages of using this type of inverter is that only one is needed. If anything malfunctions in a solar system its typically the inverter. Having one inverter is more economical and simple when it comes to assessing your system. So if one panel has issues, the whole system shuts down. All the panels are attached so when there’s an interruption in the string, then the electric current does not work. When solar panels are in a string, the voltage is decreased to the lowest voltage panel.  There’s a possibility that efficiency is decreased since the current is reduced to the lowest voltage. Another reason for the reduction of efficiency is that the incorrect type of inverter was installed to the roof. If solar panels must be moved  to  capture more of the sun’s rays, then a string inverter might not work for you.
 

Micro Inverters 101

Microinverters function in a parallel circuit. A standard inverter caps the electricity production of each panel by the lowest producing panel on your roof. A micro-inverter, maximizes the production of each pane by converting the power generated by each panel to the grid voltage. The biggest advantage of of these inverters is that you yield more solar electricity. This is due to slight differences in voltages between solar panels when compared to a string inverter. If your solar panels create different amounts of electricity at varying times of the day, micro-inverters you’ll harvest all of the solar energy. Micro-inverters normally have 25-year warranties and the add-on optimizers provide more perk in system monitoring as well. Optimizers come with each individual panel to prevent production differences. Both of these items both track  production of each individual panel.

The disadvantage of micro inverters is the price. The devices run $1000 over the retail price of a string inverter on a standard 5kW residential solar installation. You also have as many inverters as you have solar panels. Although manufacturers sell the ability to monitor each panel, it doesn’t include self  monitoring for the customer. Only installers are allowed to review  panel level data from your system  unless you purchase the higher level of monitoring as an upgrade. It’s challenging to evaluate  if one or two inverters out of 25 or so have failed but using a system-wide monitoring data. 

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much a system will cost, and how much you can save over the next  20 years. For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.