Solar Inverter versus Power Inverter
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Technology nowadays is advancing at a very
fast pace. With every passing day, we enter into a world full of gadgets,
technology, inventions and many more. With the rising population and their
increasing demands, people are looking for alternative sources of energy to
meet the demands. As the conventional and exhausting forms of energy are
depleting at a great speed, we really need to look out for the nonconventional
and inexhaustible sources of energy. One such example is solar energy. Solar
Energy is an unlimited and inexhaustible source of energy. Also, it is
available at a zero price. The sun out there shining in all its glory is
available 24 × 7 and emitting a huge amount of sunlight. This sunlight can be
used in multiple things. One such use of it is converting it into electrical
energy and producing electricity. Just imagine a nonstop electricity supply
with minimal bills !!! Shocked? This is possible because of solar panels. Even
though the installation cost is a bit high, the subsequent reduction in bills
is what we want and what it compensates. The government too is encouraged to
install more solar panels so that it can convert solar energy into electrical
energy. They are providing subsidies for the same. The frequent power cuts are
also encouraging for the same. But talking about solar energy, one naturally
doubts about the working of a solar inverter.
But before coming to this, we need to
discuss a little more about solar panels, grid connect and off-grid connect
systems. In a grid connect solar system, the photovoltaic panels are connected
to the main power supply but in the off-grid solar panel system, it is
independent and relies purely on itself. Solar panels are cost-effective and
won't dig holes in your pockets with the expensive electricity bills.
What do you mean by an inverter and how
does it work?
A power inverter or a solar inverter is a
device that converts a direct current or DC into an alternating current or AC.
The ones which we use at our homes convert the DC of batteries to AC so that it
can be used by our appliances effectively as all the appliances work only at
AC. A solar inverter also converts DC into AC if it is an off-grid connect
system. In the case of a grid-connected system, the DC power is obtained from
the solar panels and given to the grid connect system.
The home UPS or inverter has a compact
association of batteries that are connected to the power connection of home at
one end and the solar panel
power supply on the other end. When the solar panel is supplying the power, the
batteries in the inverter get charged and when the supply stops, the stored
power in the batteries in DC form is converted into AC and then supplied to the
homes. The normals UPS has an automated sensing mechanism with the help of
which changes automatically when the power supply stops. The same mechanism is
used by the off-grid connect solar panel system in which the batteries store
the power into DC form and then convert them back into AC form whenever required
or when there is a shortage of power supply. Now we know from this that is the
solar inverter depends upon two factors to work efficiently - first, a
continuous supply of solar energy to make the solar panels work and hence, let
the batteries store the power into them. Second, the power stored in the
batteries needs to be converted into AC form so that they can supply these to
the home appliances to make them work. The home UPS or solar inverter in an
off-grid connect system work almost similarly and one can switch between the
main power supply of solar to the grid according to need.
Working of a solar inverter in the grid
connect solar system
The solar inverter in a grid connect solar
system works a little bit differently. The sole purpose of this type of
inverter is also the same, to convert DC into AC. But additionally, they
require an MPPT ( Maximum Power Point Tracking ) feature added to it. MPPT
allows solar inverters to withdraw the maximum amount of power from the panels.
The off-grid connect solar system sends back the excess amount of power
generated.
In short, the solar inverter is a long term
benefiter. One can easily go with it if he wants to save money. It is easy to
use and very convenient to maintain.
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