Network type
The number of phases for which the inverter for solar panels is designed.
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Single phase. Single-phase power is well known from classic 230 V household sockets. However, this also often includes models for other alternating voltage values - for example, 110 V.
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Three-phase. Three-phase power supply with a voltage of 400 V is used mainly for energy-hungry devices for which 230 V networks do not provide enough power. This option can be used both for private households and in the industrial sector.
Battery connection voltage
The efficiency of the solar system, laid down by the manufacturer of the inverter, directly depends on this parameter. The following battery voltage options are most widely used:
12 V,
24 V and
48 V.Max. input current
The maximum amount of direct current in amperes that the inverter can convert. If the solar panel produces a current exceeding this value, the inverter simply does not use it. This is often justified when connecting an inverter to high-power solar panels - the maximum input current of the inverter is reduced to acceptable values so that moderate-sized wires can be used to transmit energy.
Max. short circuit current
The maximum solar panel short circuit current that the inverter can accept without the risk of breakdown or emergency shutdown. The parameter is usually indicated in amperes.
Rated voltage
The rated DC input voltage that the inverter receives from the solar panels during normal operation. The indicator is expressed in volts.
Max. voltage
The maximum permissible voltage value at the converter input, expressed in volts.
Operating voltage range
The operating range of the inverter is usually located between the starting voltage and the maximum voltage. This interval is indicated in volts.
Number of strings
Strings in solar energy are chains of panels connected in series. With this connection method, the voltage of the solar panels is summed up, and the current remains constant, which allows you to significantly increase the power generation capacity while maintaining a fairly low current and without the need to use large-section wires.
Specifically, this paragraph indicates the maximum number of strings that can be connected to the inverter for solar panels.
Rated output power
The inverter's rated output power, expressed in volt-amperes (VA). This is essentially the same as power in watts (W).
This parameter means the power that the device can provide to consumers for an unlimited time. It is necessary to choose according to this indicator so that the rated power of the inverter covers the power consumption of the expected load by approximately 15-20%. It is also worth considering that some electrical appliances (in particular, units with electric motors - vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, etc.) consume significantly more energy when starting up than after entering the mode. For such a load, it is also necessary to clarify the peak power of the inverter (see the corresponding paragraph) - it should be higher than the starting power of the load.
