Solaredge inverters

PV system isn’t just about solar panels. Once you’ve chosen them, it’s the time to look for an inverter. Or microinverters. Or optimizers… Nobody promised that life would be a bed of roses, did they? Thank God, SolarEdge offers all types of inverters you can imagine.

About SolarEdge

SolarEdge is a global leading PV inverter manufacturer with more than a decade of experience in the field. The company offers a range of solar products, namely PV inverters and optimizers which are definitely second to none. The company’s commitment to innovations makes SolarEdge the preferred partner for industry-leading installers, integrators, and other energy market participants.

In May 2015, SolarEdge partnered with Tesla Motors to work on a photovoltaic storage and backup power solution. SolarEdge's DC-optimized inverter greatly contributed to Tesla's automotive-grade battery technology by maximizing power generation, facilitating remote monitoring and lowering the maintenance costs.

Quality of SolarEdge inverters

Providing almost 90% of all residential power inverter needs, SolarEdge has quite the edge in the solar market. Moreover, according to Lior Handelsman, ex-VP of Marketing and Product Strategy at SolarEdge, «commercial projects represented 40% of SolarEdge’s revenue» in 2018. So, this is a large market player which is «super committed to providing state-of-the-art 

inverters and solutions.» Hence the quality.

1. Wide Temperature Range

SolarEdge inverters and optimizers have a wide operating temperature range. All the products undergo thermal cycling tests of 1,500 cycles in temperatures from -40°F to 176°F, which equals 41 years in the field. Additionally, SolarEdge conducts High Temperature Operating Life (HTOL) tests at 257°F, which is equal to 36 years under moderate climate conditions. These tests accelerate the product lifetime to verify that the products meet life expectancy and performance goals.

1. Humidity Resistant

SolarEdge products are designed to operate in humid climates, namely at humidity levels of up to 95% (non-condensing). Damp heat tests at 185°F/85% RH are conducted for 1,200 hours (nearly 28 years in the field).

1. Dust and Water Tight

The company ensures that its products operate steadily even in the toughest climate conditions, for instance, in areas that are likely to suffer from sand and dust storms. Meeting the IP65 rating, SolarEdge inverters and optimizers are protected from fine particles such as dust and water penetration.

1. Ammonia Resistant

Agricultural areas aren’t the best environment for PV system installation because of the high concentration of ammonia. With SolarEdge you can install your inverters and power optimizers wherever you want as they have been tested in harsh ammonia exposure conditions and were proven to be resistant to corrosion from ammonia gases, both in terms of mechanical resistance and ingress protection. 

1. Suitable for Saline

The manufacturer allows installing SolarEdge inverters and optimizers at a minimum distance of 50m from the shoreline of an ocean or other saline environment, providing there are no direct salt water splashes on the inverter.

SolarEdge features

In the 21st century it is impossible that one device does only one task. The same is true for the inverters, the main and only responsibility of which has been turning solar energy into usable electricity. SolarEdge turned inverters into smart energy managers.

SolarEdge inverters are designed to monitor and manage not only solar energy production, but energy storage and energy usage as well. For example, the inverter can store solar power in a battery to use it later in the evening, divert extra energy to heat water, or activate other smart devices in order to reduce electric bills.

SolarEdge has always been dedicated to developing innovative solutions so that solar energy becomes more accessible. It forever changed the way power is harvested and managed in PV systems with the development of its DC optimized inverter. 

A classic SolarEdge setup

SolarEdge power optimizers are somewhere in between string and micro inverters. They allow panel-level monitoring and power regulation as with a microinverter, but the actual DC-AC conversion occurs at a central SolarEdge string inverter.

So, they actually skimmed the cream off micros and string inverters. Such fusion provides for maximum DC optimized inverter efficiency of 99.5% (in comparison to standard 95-98%).

How long is the warranty on the SolarEdge inverters?

The SolarEdge inverter itself has a 12-year warranty, and optimizers have a 25-year warranty. The company also offers to extend the inverter warranty to 25 years at a reasonable price. Both warranties meet and even exceed the industry standards, which typically fall between 5 and 12 years. You can find more information on the warranties available here.

Factoid: If you like the idea of SolarEdge optimizers, but want to go with another inverter brand, you can do that. SolarEdge optimizers are equipped with an independent operation technology, so they can be used with most other inverters.

What is the average price of SolarEdge inverters?

The best thing about SolarEdge is that its DC optimized inverter solution offers the benefits of both string and microinverters at a price point between the two. The systems are completely expandable: homeowners can easily add another array in the future if energy needs increase. It is much more difficult to do with a traditional string inverter as you may need the second central inverter installation. In addition, it’s less expensive than adding more panels with built-in microinverters. Check current prices on SolarEdge products here.