The basic function of an inverter is to convert the direct current dc power that solar panels create to alternating current ac power that is usable in homes and businesses or fed directly into the grid in front of the meter projects utility scale solar arrays.
Does solar panels create ac current.
During this process electrons separate from the atoms and move around the solar cell.
When subject to sunlight photovoltaic cells create a flow of electric charge inside the solar panel due to the photoelectric effect.
Inverters are like the brains of the system.
You can buy ac or dc pv panels.
When just looking at residential solar panels the top wattage.
Dc gets converted into ac so that it can be used efficiently by consumers throughout their house.
The solar panel with the highest watt is the sunpower e series a commercial solar panel line.
A 10000w solar system operating on a 12vdc bus will have a current rating of 834 amps.
Ac alternating current power.
At the very end of the 1800s american electrical pioneer thomas edison 1847 1931 went out of his way to demonstrate that direct current dc was a better way to supply electrical power than alternating current ac a system.
As the sun hits the solar panels they generate direct current dc electricity where the electrons flow around a circuit in one direction.
A solar inverter takes the dc electricity from the solar array and uses that to create ac electricity.
Solar cells produce dc but you can buy pv panels with built in microinverters which allow pv modules to produce ac directly.
The top panel in the e series comes out at a whopping 435 watts.
In case of dc power systems due to the lower voltage the current rating increases very rapidly for higher power ratings.
It becomes very difficult and costly to manage such a high current rating.
O ne of the most significant battles of the 19th century was fought not over land or resources but to establish the type of electricity that powers our buildings.
Solar panels usually range in wattage output from around 250 watts to 400 watts but some panels exceed the 400 watt mark.
This flow travels in a circuit of wires that connect groups of solar panels called arrays.
Along with inverting dc to ac power they also provide ground fault protection and system stats including voltage and current on ac and dc circuits energy production and maximum power point tracking.
In order for your home to use this energy it must be converted from dc electricity to alternating current ac electricity where the electrons are pushed and pulled.
When the photons hit the panel they are absorbed by the panel s semiconducting silicon material.
It is necessary to opt for a solar ac power system.
Convert dc to ac power.
If you use dc pv panels without internal microinverters then you would need to have.
Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material usually silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass.