Solar inverter installation and maintenance tips

Before purchasing an inverter make sure that it is going to fit your system. The capacity of an inverter is measured in Watts. Generally, you would want your inverter to be equal or close to the DC rating of your solar array.

For example, if you install a 7 kilowatt solar PV system, the inverter needs to be around 7kW, plus or minus a small percentage. Inverter manufacturers usually specify sizing guidelines for the array capacity their inverters can be paired with on their product specification sheets.

If the DC rating of the solar array is more than 50% bigger than the capacity of the inverter, so called "clipping" starts: the inverter limits the incoming energy which results in power losses of the whole system.

Be especially careful when choosing inverters for commercial use. They have a higher load capacity than residential grade inverters and must be certified to handle adverse operating conditions. Fronius Symo Advanced 10kW is exactly the kind of inverter you need: it is field serviceable, compliant with all the relevant standards and comes with a 10 year warranty.

Microinverters should be just plugged into solar panels and they'll start to convert DC to AC on the spot. String, central and hybrid inverters, however, are stand-alone devices and it's important to pick the right place for them. Contrary to solar panels, an inverter doesn't want any sunlight at all. It needs a dry place, preferably with clean air. The best spot would be somewhere in a garage. There shouldn't be anything flammable or producing heat nearby. Proper air circulation is important for an inverter, and some companies suggest leaving at least 12 inches of clearance around it.

Power inverter installation and especially its connection to the grid should be performed only by professionals. Keep in mind that if you plan to connect your inverter to the commercial electrical grid, you need to consult your local electric utility first.

After the installation you can leave the inverter to do its job. However, it would appreciate some care from time to time. Here are the main tips for maintaining your solar panel inverter:

• Every once in a while you should wipe the inverter clean: like any other complex electronic device, it fears the heat and the dust. Once a year might be enough but it depends on where you live and how dusty it is out there.
  
  
• Inverters have air intake filters and after a while they get dirty. It is necessary to clean them, but for this task it's better to call a technician. An inverter should also have an internal fan, which helps it to cool down. Make sure it works properly.
  
  
• Check the connections, make sure that they are fixed tightly.
  
  
• Most inverters have a display which makes it easy to monitor their condition. If it shows an error code, consult your manufacturer and they might be able to interpret it.

When it comes to microinverters, hardly any maintenance is required. Manufacturers recommend to simply check the modules visually after storms and huge hails and also to perform yearly inspection with the help of a professional.

The average lifespan of string, central and hybrid inverters for solar panels is around 10-15 years and manufacturers issue warranties for them accordingly. Microinverters, on the other hand, are built to last for 25 years and more, which is basically the normal lifespan of a solar panel. With the proper installation and maintenance you can delay the purchase of a new inverter and avoid any emergency situations. For more information on inverter types and functions, check out our article.