Solar Inverter

1. Solar Inverter Battery

Your inverter’s endurance depends significantly on its battery. Hence, choosing the right battery matters. Your battery’s capacity is defined as the maximum number of hours for which a battery can power all devices. Accordingly, you should assess your energy needs and the average time for which you will require the solar inverter and make an informed decision that helps you optimize the use of solar power.

2. Safety Certification

This one is another essential consideration. You must check the solar inverter for its level of safety. It is crucial to choose a solar inverter certified for its safety by an independent testing authority before you purchase and use it for your solar venture.

3. Inverter’s VA Rating Range

Check the inverter’s VA rating or VA capacity to determine the solar inverter’s output. The VA rating depends on your consumption of power. Higher power consumption refers to a higher requirement of the inverter’s VA rating.

4. Peak Power Considerations

Solar inverters are usually expected to supply two types of power – peak and typical power. Now, what are peak and typical power?
Peak power is the optimal power a solar inverter can supply for a trivial duration, which could be between a few seconds to around ten to twelve minutes. Some appliances require higher power while starting up than they do to operate under normal circumstances after being powered.

On the other hand, typical power is the usual power that the inverter supplies consistently
after the device receives its power to begin and stabilize.

5. Inverter Brand

It is another critical factor to consider. While it is a no-brainer to choose the most popular and the best solar inverter brand, what matters is whether the brand you select enables you to reap optimal returns. Accordingly, you should choose solar inverter brands that offer the features, efficiency, and proposition that allow you to achieve the energy self-dependence you’ve always endeavored for.

For projects on a 5 MW scale, central inverters are more suitable due to their robustness and reliability. String inverters are often more volatile, with many models in the current market not lasting more than three years. Since 2018, FIMER has been supplying the PVS980 series central inverters, which have proven to be reliable over time. The long-term availability of string inverters, especially for up to 25 years, is a significant concern.

Additionally, compliance with CEA (Central Electricity Authority) regulations is challenging with string inverters. FIMER central inverters, such as the PVS980 series, are designed to meet local grid requirements and comply with CEA regulations, making them a more reliable choice for large-scale solar projects.

Size of solar inverter dependent on the equipments that are intended to be used while utility supply is down. Total load on inverter is equal to the sum of all nameplate rating of such equipments. While sizing, some equipment like air conditioner and refrigerators should be sized at 2/3 times normal rating to account for the high inrush current drawn by these equipments while starting. An additional 25 -30 % can be considered as buffer for future expansion.

Once the total wattage of devices are calculated, the next step is to determine the type and number of batteries required to support your inverter. The battery capacity, measured in ampere-hours (Ah), is crucial for ensuring your system can store enough energy to meet your needs, especially during power outages or when solar input is unavailable.