Looking for the most suitable inverter for your solar panels? There are numerous brands that manufacture and produce inverters.
Among the most popular are SMA, SolarEdge, and Enphase. This article highlights two other popular inverter brands:
What is an inverter?
An inverter is an essential part of your solar panels, as this is the component that ensures that the direct current generated by your panels is converted into a different kind of current: the 230 Volt alternating current that you find in your sockets.
Generated power is generally not immediately suitable for use. The inverter ensures that generated direct current is converted into alternating current that is usable in the home. No inverter means no generated energy, in other words.
Single-phase and triple-phase inverters
In the Netherlands, all homes have a single-phase or triple-phase connection. A single-phase connection has a single cable that is used for transferring power; a triple-phase connection uses three cables. Inverters can also be classified as either single or triple-phase. A single-phase inverter can be used with single and triple-phase connections. However, a triple-phase inverter only words with triple-phase connections.
Growatt and Huawei both offer a choice of single and triple-phase inverters. When choosing an inverter, check which kind of electrical connection you have in your home. A triple-phase inverter is not suitable for a single-phase connection, as the latter cannot handle the power generated by the former. In addition, the choice depends on the number of solar panels you use. A single-phase inverter is suitable for projects of up to around fifteen solar panels. A triple-phase inverter can handle more power, and is therefore suitable for larger solar panel projects.
Hybrid inverters
What is a hybrid inverter? A hybrid inverter is able to connect solar panels to the power grid (this connection is always available for a hybrid inverter) and to a battery at the same time. This battery stores generated power for future use. For example: more power is generated on warm, sunny days. The remaining energy is stored in the battery and can be utilised during cloudy or non-sunny times, for example in evenings or at night. Perfect!
A standard inverter can also direct power to a battery, but a hybrid inverter has a few smart adjustments under its hood. For example, it can direct power to where it is needed in the house. Whenever power generated exceeds power used, the inverter will direct power to the battery. If there is a demand for power, but no power is being generated by the solar panels, the demand will be met with power from the battery.
Growatt and Huawei both carry hybrid inverters in their range.
Off-grid inverters
An off-grid inverter works similar to a hybrid inverter, but does not require a connection to the power grid. So, if you are not connected to the power grid, an off-grid inverter is the solution for you. These off-grid inverters are suitable for single-phase connections. A fully off-grid configuration is perfect for a tiny house or boat, for example.
Off-grid inverters are also carried by both Growatt and Huawei. However, Growatt’s hybrids are slightly more advanced, and their available selection is somewhat larger. Note that installing an off-grid inverter is more complex than installing the classic single-phase or triple-phase string inverters.
The advantages of a Growatt inverter
Growatt has a larger selection of inverters, which are known for their wider range in capacities. And, more importantly: their prices are more competitive. Growatt inverters do not have a fan, which makes them very quiet. They have a long lifespan and are the most popularly sold Chinese inverter in the world. Growatt was one of the first Chinese producers to acquire full certification.
Thanks to their price and efficiency, Growatt inverters have been very popular for many years.
The advantages of a Huawei inverter
Huawei uses the most up-to-date technologies, thereby resulting in inverters with minimal loss of power and zero chance of overheating. Their inverters all have an IP65 rating, which means they are protected from the elements and can be used outdoors.
One of the key advantages of Huawei inverters is that, in addition to a wide range of functions, they are very competitively priced.
Choosing an inverter
When choosing a suitable inverter, you should take into account a number of factors, such as efficiency, the location of the solar panel and mains, noise level, monitoring options and, of course, purchase price. Thoroughly examine your situation and the various options. Need more information? Contact a consultant or installation engineer to make sure you are making the right choice.