How Many Inverters Per Solar Panel? Don’t Miss This Tip

When installing a solar panel system, understanding the role of inverters is crucial. 

Solar inverters convert the DC electricity from your panels into AC electricity for use in your home or business. 

But how many inverters do you need? In this guide, we’ll explain their function, the factors influencing the number of inverters, and how to choose the best option for your system.

How many inverters per solar panel?

Typically, you only need one inverter for your entire solar system, not for each panel. Inverters convert the DC power from the panels into usable AC power for your home.

Key Takeaways

• Typically, you only need one inverter for multiple solar panels, depending on the type of system.
• The number of inverters required depends on the type of inverter used, the system's size, and the layout of the solar panels.
• Microinverters, string inverters, and power optimisers are the three most common types, each offering different benefits and considerations.

What Is the Role of a Solar Inverter?

A solar inverter is a key component of any solar power system. It converts the DC power generated by the solar panels into AC power, which is what your home or business uses. 

Inverters also play a role in managing the power output, ensuring that it’s stable and compatible with the electrical grid.

There are different types of inverters, and the choice of inverter affects how many you will need for your system. 

The most common types of solar inverters are string inverters, microinverters, and power optimisers.

Types of Solar Inverters

Each type of inverter comes with its own set of benefits and challenges. Let’s explore the different types of inverters and their typical configurations.

1. String Inverters

String inverters are the most common type of inverter used in solar panel systems. These inverters are connected to multiple solar panels in a series, or “string”. 

The system converts the DC power from the entire string of panels into AC power. In this setup, one string inverter is usually sufficient for multiple panels.

Advantages of String Inverters:

• Cost-effective for larger systems.
• Simpler design with fewer components.
  

Disadvantages of String Inverters:

• Performance is dependent on the weakest panel. If one panel is shaded or underperforming, it can affect the entire string’s performance.
• The inverter can be a single point of failure, meaning that if it breaks, the whole system goes down.
  

2. Microinverters

Microinverters are installed on each individual solar panel, allowing for independent conversion of DC to AC power. 

Each panel has its own inverter, meaning the performance of one panel does not affect the others. 

This setup is ideal for systems where panels might be exposed to varying levels of sunlight, such as in areas with shading or uneven roof layouts.

Advantages of Microinverters:

• Independent panel operation means higher efficiency, especially in shaded areas.
  Easier monitoring of individual panel performance.
  

Disadvantages of Microinverters:

• More expensive than string inverters.
  Requires more installation time and equipment.
  

3. Power Optimisers

Power optimisers are similar to microinverters in that they work with individual panels, but instead of converting DC to AC power, they optimise the DC power before sending it to a string inverter. 

The string inverter then handles the DC to AC conversion. This setup provides many of the benefits of microinverters but with a single inverter handling the conversion process.

Advantages of Power Optimisers:

• Increased efficiency compared to string inverters alone.

• Can minimise the effect of shading or dirt on individual panels.

Disadvantages of Power Optimisers:

• Still requires a string inverter, so it doesn’t offer the full independence of microinverters.

• Installation can be more complex than string inverters.
  

How Many Inverters Do You Need per Solar Panel?

Now that we understand the different types of inverters, let’s explore how many inverters are needed for a typical solar panel system.

1. For a String Inverter System

In a typical string inverter system, one inverter is used to manage multiple solar panels. 

The number of inverters depends on the number of panels and how they are grouped together in strings. 

For example, if you have 20 panels and each string consists of 10 panels, you will need two string inverters for the system.

Typical Setup: One string inverter for every string of panels (usually 10 to 15 panels per string).

How Many Inverters: One inverter per 10 to 15 panels (depending on the system setup).

2. For a Microinverter System

With microinverters, each solar panel has its own inverter. Therefore, the number of inverters matches the number of solar panels. If you have 20 panels, you will need 20 microinverters.

Typical Setup: One microinverter for each panel.

How Many Inverters: One inverter per panel.

3. For a Power Optimiser System

In a power optimisation system, each panel will have a power optimisation, but the system still requires a single string inverter to convert DC to AC. 

So, if you have 20 panels with optimisers, you will only need one string inverter.

Typical Setup: One string inverter for the whole system, with optimisers on each panel.

How Many Inverters: One string inverter for the entire system, with optimisers for each panel.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How many inverters do I need for a 10-panel solar system?

For a string inverter system, you would typically need one inverter for every 10-15 panels. For a microinverter system, you would need one inverter per panel, so 10 microinverters for 10 panels.

2. Are microinverters worth the extra cost?

Microinverters are worth the investment if you have shading issues or want to monitor the performance of each panel. They provide more efficiency, but they are more expensive than string inverters.

3. Can I install my own solar inverter?

Installing a solar inverter requires knowledge of electrical systems and solar panel installation. It’s best to hire a professional to ensure the system is installed correctly and safely.

Conclusion

Choosing the right inverter for your solar panel system depends on your needs, budget, and the conditions of your installation. 

While string inverters are the most cost-effective solution for many, microinverters and power optimisers can provide increased efficiency, especially for larger systems or those with shading concerns. 

Understanding the differences between each option will help you make an informed decision for your solar energy system. 

Whether you choose a string inverter, microinverters, or power optimisers, ensuring that your system is installed correctly will help you get the most out of your solar investment.