“Microinverters vs Central Inverters: Which is the Better Choice for Solar Panels?”

In a traditional solar panel installation, all panels are connected in series – in a so-called string – and feed their DC power into one central inverter. The inverter converts the power into alternating current, which feeds the power grid. That means that the current coming out of the first panel then flows through the second panel, then through the third panel, and so on. With temporary or permanent shade on one panel, less current flows through that one panel and the power of the entire string will immediately decrease.

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The alternative consists of microinverters. In that case, each panel has its own inverter that converts the panel’s direct current power into alternating current. All microinverters are connected in parallel on the AC side and feed power into the grid. “The advantage of microinverters is that in certain cases the yield of the complete installation will be higher, namely when a number of panels are regularly in the shade,” explains the sector federation for renewable energy ODE.

Installation companies point out that a little bit of shade during the morning and evening does not immediately give a big blow to the power yield. If the solar panels are in the shade for a longer period of time, the loss of yield is clearly noticeable and micro-inverters are an interesting option.

However, microinverters also have disadvantages. “The total investment price is higher and there are of course more devices within an installation that can eventually break down. The best choice depends on your situation. If you have an installation where all panels are always in the sun and therefore yield the same amount, a central inverter is the logical choice. If not, microinverters may be better depending on the amount of shade, electricity prices and investment prices,” concludes ODE.

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