Buy Solar Inverter

We sell 120 watt and 240 watt solar panels, deep-cycle batteries, cables, fuses, solar charge controllers (MPPT and PWM), and anything else needed to create an off-grid, mobile and/or backup power system. These are the products necessary for achieving energy independence, and AIMS Power promises to provide that at the lowest cost possible

buy solar inverter

Solar inverters come in all different sizes, big and small. Similar to solar panels, the size of an inverter can be rated in watts (W). When it comes to solar inverter sizing, installers will take three primary factors into account: the size of your solar array, your geography, and site-specific conditions.

The size of your solar array is the most important factor in determining the appropriate size for your solar inverter. Because your solar inverter converts DC electricity coming from the array, it needs to have the capacity to handle all the power the array produces.

As a general rule of thumb, the size of your inverter should be similar to the DC rating of your solar panel system; if you are installing a 6 kilowatt (kW) system, you can expect the proposed inverter to be around 6000 W, plus or minus a small percentage.

Inverter manufacturers typically list sizing guidelines for the array capacity their inverters can be paired with on their product spec sheets. If the size of the solar array paired with their inverter is outside of the stated guidelines, manufacturers may void their warranty offering.

Geography also plays an important role in sizing your solar inverter due to its impact on the production of your solar panel system. Properties in Arizona have higher solar irradiances (i.e. larger amounts of solar radiation) than properties in Vermont; as such, a rooftop 6 kilowatt (kW) system in Arizona should produce more power than a similarly sized system further north.

The site and design specifics of your solar array will impact the size of your solar inverter. Similar to geography, the tilt and azimuth your solar array is installed at will affect how much electricity the system can produce. Environmental factors (such as shading, dust, etc.) will similarly play a large role in how much sunshine reaches the array.

Solar installers will account for these considerations, equipment efficiencies, and more when estimating the overall production of your solar panel system. All will contribute to the overall derating factor of your system, which is used to help determine what your solar panel system will produce in a real-life scenario (as opposed to the STC specs determined in a lab.) Solar panel systems that experience more shade, are at a sub-optimal tilt, or facing east rather than due south have higher derating factors than systems on sunny, south-facing roofs.

The size of your solar inverter can be larger or smaller than the DC rating of your solar array, to a certain extent. The array-to-inverter ratio of a solar panel system is the DC rating of your solar array divided by the maximum AC output of your inverter. For example, if your array is 6 kW with a 6000 W inverter, the array-to-inverter ratio is 1. If you install the same sized array with a 5000 inverter, the ratio is 1.2. The majority of installations will have a ratio between 1.15 to 1.25; inverter manufacturers and solar system designers typically do not recommend a ratio higher than 1.55.

Similar to central inverters, manufacturers of microinverters will list guidelines as to the maximum DC rating a panel should have if tied to their microinverter product. If you connect a higher wattage panel than the microinverter specs indicate, then clipping will occur.

The best way to ensure that your solar inverter is sized appropriately is to work with a qualified, reputable solar installer. You can sign up on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace to receive multiple quotes online from pre-screened, vetted installers. These EnergySage Approved installers will use design tools to make sure your solar array and inverter are sized accordingly given your electricity needs, solar equipment, property, and geography.

FIMER Founded in 1942 and active in inverter technology since 1983, FIMER is the world`s eighth largest inverter manufacturer. Its main business is the production of inverters for photovoltaic plants, welding and charging stations for electric vehicles at its operational and integrated plant in Vimercate, Italy. FIMER has built its competitive advantage on continuous innovation and high quality, both in terms of product and customer service. www.fimer.com

The PWRgenerator is a revolution in home energy security, exclusively from Generac. When solar power is unavailable or insufficient, this DC-coupled generator rapidly recharges the PWRcell Battery to keep your home powered long-term during outages. Because PWRgenerators are designed to run more frequently and for longer periods, they are quieter, more fuel efficient, and have extraordinarily long service cycles.

If you live in a state with net energy metering, you earn credit for sending your excess energy to the grid. At the end of the year, those credits are used to offset the cost of the energy you pulled from the grid. With just a recent energy bill, solar.com can generate multiple quotes for solar systems that offset 100% of your electricity use.

In addition to backup power, battery storage can also be a means to greater energy cost savings. Energy utilities in many states are working to remove or replace net metering policies. In California, for example, the proposed NEM 3.0 policy would reduce the value of solar exports by around 75%.

Currently, California solar owners are earning around 30 cents per kWh for the excess energy they put on the grid. Under NEM 3.0, they would earn closer to 8 cents per kWh, in which case it makes more financial sense to have a battery bank to store and use your own solar electricity.

Even if you are within reach of a utility grid, many people prefer to generate and store their own clean electricity. Most utilities rely on fossil fuels to generate electricity. By pairing solar and battery storage, you reduce the demand for dirty energy.

Without battery storage, solar systems typically to use the utility grid as a battery. Solar energy is first used to directly power your home and the excess energy is pushed onto the local grid to power neighboring systems. When the solar system is underproducing, the home draws electricity from the local grid.

Through net metering, homeowners earn credit for the excess energy to offset the energy they pull from the grid. This allows solar owners to essentially replace their electricity bill with lower payments on their solar system.

So, if you produce more solar electricity than your home needs, the excess sent onto the grid and used to power neighboring systems. This not only reduces demand from the central utility, it reduces wear on the grid because as the electrical current travels less distance.

If you are already working with a solar installer, most have a short list of inverters they typically like to install, so your options for inverters might be somewhat limited. Which inverter is installed in your home is typically decided by availability and installation size as well as placement of your solar installation (see the article linked above for more information on this).

The good news is that, because of their size, solar installers are able to place huge orders for inverters, solar panels, and all the other associated hardware. This allows them to get the lowest prices possible and typically much cheaper than you or I could find on the internet or in stores.

Each year, the National Renewable Energy Lab performs a cost benchmark of the solar industry, looking at average installation costs, inverter and panel costs, and a host of other related topics. In early 2016 (the latest report available), they found that solar inverters usually cost around $0.18 per watt, though they range from a high of about $0.27 to a low of $0.09.

Quick Tip: Larger solar installations require larger, more expensive inverters (and vise-versa). However, you can quickly calculate if your installer is grossly overcharging (or undercharging) you by multiplying your installation size (in watts, ie 5600 watts) by the average inverter cost ($0.18/watt). This will give you a benchmark to compare your own inverter cost to. So, for example, an inverter for a 10 kW installation should cost around $1,800. For a 17 kW installation, the inverter should cost around $3,060.

How much you spend, of course, depends on the manufacturer and the size, efficiency, warranty, and brand recognition. Here are cost highlights for 5,000-watt inverters from four of the biggest inverter manufacturers in the US:

ABB inverters come with a 5-year parts and labor warranty. SMA inverters are similarly priced to ABB, but they offer a 10-year warranty on its SunnyBoy inverters. SolarEdge offers even more with a 12-year warranty!

When you buy solar inverters, you're purchasing the heart of your PV system. This is why it's always recommended that you be a bit picky when it comes to buying a solar inverter. Fronius is an Austrian brand and has quickly developed a bit of a cult following. Many homeowners swear by Fronius. As a top-notch company that produces some of the best solar inverters in the business, Fronius has earned its reputation. If you're updating or installing a new PV system, it's worth considering the benefits of Fronius solar inverters.

Any solar inverter you purchase should be reliable and efficient. This is how Fronius has become the preferred choice for both residential and industrial properties. One main advantage is that they come in a wide range of power categories. Running from 3.8 kw to 24 kw, they're able to accommodate a number of different PV systems. Whatever the size of your PV system, there's probably a Fronius solar inverter that will work. 041b061a72