Are you ready for the next instalment in our mini blog series on inverters, those seemingly small devices that are actually crucial to the functioning of your solar system?
Today we are going to focus on DC Optimisers. And here we go…
A DC Optimiser is essentially a very small inverter that sits neatly underneath an individual solar panel and is unique to SolarEdge. When you choose a DC Optimiser solution, each panel in your solar array will be connected to its own small inverter, which will convert the AC energy produced by that specific panel into DC energy that will then flow into your household appliances or into your Tesla Powerwall.
The minor downside to a DC Optimiser is that the upfront cost of installing a solar system that features them is higher that it would be for installing a system that uses a single string inverter.
However, the upsides are numerous and significant, which can make them well worth the initial extra cost.
The key benefit of choosing a DC Optimiser is they function much more efficiently than a single inverter because they make it possible to individually optimise the power output of each panel. This is particularly useful if your roof is shady or has a variety of pitches because these conditions mean that your panels may receive different levels of solar radiance. Thus, if you are trying to optimise power across a group of panels that have different levels of solar irradiance, then there is going to be a level of inefficiency.
A SolarEdge DC Optimiser will also make it possible for you to monitor your solar array on a panel level. This makes it much easier and more efficient for you to recognise and respond to any issues or breakdowns in the system, and it means that a single malfunctioning panel is less likely to impact the output of the rest of your array.
Not sure whether a DC Optimiser could be for you? Give the Natural Solar team a call and we would be happy to talk to you about it and to help you to figure out which product will be perfect for you and your home.Get your solar quote now!
