Solar inverters are arguably the most critical equipment in a solar PV system. Inverters are the system’s heart. It converts direct current (DC) generated by the solar panels into the alternating current (AC) electricity used in homes. This is necessary because most homes and businesses use standard AC voltage electricity instead of DC. Both Enphase and SolarEdge offer great solar inverter options that suit different needs. Which one is best suited to your situation? Let’s find out!
How do Enphase and SolarEdge inverters work?
Big Picture
Without an inverter, let’s just say there’s no solar power. The reason is that the inverter makes the electricity usable, as mentioned earlier.
SolarEdge works by having one inverter connected to several panels through a device called a Power Optimizer. This allows for the panels to ‘talk’ individually to the inverter. If you have a 22 solar panel system, you can use a single SolarEdge inverter with 22 power optimizers.
Enphase takes a different approach by shrinking the inverter component to the size appropriate to operate one panel. Say you have a 27-panel system, then you would need 27 units of the Enphase microinverter best suited for the type of panel you’re installing.
Solaredge vs. Enphase: What’s the difference?
An example image of SolarEdge and Enphase inverter.
The most significant difference between a SolarEdge inverter system and an Enphase microinverter system is the ‘micro’ part, wherein you use one inverter per panel.
What does the difference mean to me?
There are various schools of thought regarding how the inverter differences affect solar panel ownership. Still, generally speaking, it looks like this:
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- SolarEdge usually means a lower-cost system.
- SolarEdge can mean a more straightforward effort to replace because it is located at ground level.
- SolarEdge may produce more power overall; depending on how the end inverter size in watts compares to the total panel wattage.
- Enphase may produce more power over a given time than SolarEdge because if one inverter fails, it only decreases total output by a single panel’s worth.
- Enphase allows for better shade mitigation because the inverter relies on only one panel to meet minimum voltage requirements, rather than a string with SolarEdge.
- Enphase allows for easier scaling because any additional panels will have their own inverter installed with present-day technology.
Who is Solaredge?
Solaredge is a PV inverter manufacturer that has been around since 2006. They are an Israeli company specializing in designing and manufacturing solar PV inverters. Solaredge produces inverters compatible with different solar panel brands and models, making them an excellent option for homeowners and businesses with existing solar panels.
Who is Enphase?
Enphase was founded in 2006 and is based in Freemont, CA. They specialize in solar microinverters, a type of PV inverter that is becoming increasingly popular in residential and commercial solar PV systems. Enphase offers a wide range of solar microinverters in various power capacities. Their new iQ8 series inverters can also be combined to create a ‘Power Island’ feature that can offer backup capability in the event of a power outage.
Which brand is better: Solaredge or Enphase?
It’s important to note that Enphase and Solaredge are two different companies that specialize in various types of inverters. In terms of which inverter brand is best, it’s essential to consider your specific needs first. Take your existing solar panels into account, as well as any future plans for adding new solar panels. Other important considerations are whether you need an isolated or non-isolated inverter, the size of the inverter required, and the ease of installation. Once you’ve considered these factors, you should speak with your solar installer to get their opinion on the best inverter for your situation.
Final words
Solar inverters are an essential part of any solar PV system. They are responsible for taking operational control of the solar panels and monitoring their performance and output while ensuring they operate safely. Choosing an inverter compatible with your plans for solar ownership is critical to have the best ownership experience.
What works for one home may not work for another, and at DroneQuote, we know that. Not only do we go above and beyond for our clients by offering an industry-first drone survey program for quality inspections of the entire installation. Because who cares about the inverter if the roof is busted up? But we help educate you on your options and give you direction on what may be a better fit for you with the built-in option to change out inverters from one type to another. Get started with DroneQuote here.