Understanding On-grid Solar Inverter and Off-grid Solar Inverter

The inverter is a key component in any solar system. A solar electric inverter takes DC electricity from your solar panels or battery and converts it into AC electricity that can power your home appliances. So what is a on-grid solar inverter? And what is an off-grid solar inverter?

On-grid Solar Inverter and Off-grid Solar Inverter

In a grid-tied system, your solar panels are directly connected to the inverter, which is connected to your main household electrical panel. It sends power to your home to run appliances and returns excess energy to the grid. On-grid solar inverters come in many options: string inverters, micro-inverters, and optimizers. Each varies in function and cost.

An off-grid solar inverter is connected to a battery bank and converts DC battery power into household AC power. Off-grid inverters use 12V, 24V, or 48V battery banks. Small inverters have AC outputs typically of 120Vac, while larger inverters have AC outputs typically of 120/240Vac. We also sell export 230Vac 50hz inverters for systems installed outside of North America. Some off-grid solar inverters have an additional connection that allows them to operate like on-grid solar inverters and sell power back to the grid. This can be useful if you start off-grid but plan to use power lines in the future or if you live in an area with unreliable utility power.

Is your solar electric inverter screen blank or not lit up?

A solar electric inverter is a complex piece of equipment and like all electronics, it can sometimes go wrong. However, sometimes when a solar electric inverter is not working properly, the problem is actually caused by another component in the solar panel system. The first thing to try is to reboot the system. Here are the steps to shut down your solar panel system:

• AC Shutdown: Turn all AC isolators to the "off" position. You should have one located in your power area close to the generation meter and perhaps another one next to your inverter.

• DC Shutdown: Next, turn the DC isolators to "off". You may have a pair, and they will be located by the inverter. The inverter light should go off, and the screen will blank out. Leave it off for around 5 minutes, then turn it back on.

• DC Power On: Turn the DC isolator back on. It is important to do this step before turning on the AC isolators, otherwise an arc may occur.

• AC Power On: Finally, turn the AC isolators back on. Your solar electric inverter may take a few minutes to restart, and the indicator lights will usually flash during start-up. It is normal for various messages to appear on the screen during testing.