What Is A Hybrid Inverter? — GreenLight Energy Solutions

An inverter is an essential component of any solar-powered system. Without an inverter, your home can’t use all that free energy from your solar panels. That’s why almost every solar array needs an inverter.

But why is an inverter so important? Well, a solar panel produces electricity in the form of direct current (DC). But home appliances can’t use DC. They need alternating current (AC). That’s where the inverter comes in. As their name suggests, they change the DC into AC. They can also change the AC into DC if needed.

There are many types of inverters available. One of them is a hybrid inverter. It’s a unique device that can offer you the best of both worlds. You can use power from your solar array AND store the excess for later use.

Do you want to know what makes a hybrid inverter so special? Read on to find out!

The Hybrid Inverter

Picture this scenario: Your solar panels are working great. You can power most of your home with free energy. But then suddenly, the grid goes out. You can’t use solar energy anymore.

Wouldn’t it be nice to store some of that solar energy? While there are many solar batteries available, you need to buy a separate inverter for them. That’s because batteries can only store DC. The AC flowing into the battery needs an inverter. That inverter will convert the AC into DC.

But buying a separate inverter can cost a lot. Enter: hybrid inverters. This hybrid is a gem that combines two essential functions. It can convert the DC from solar panels into AC. Then it can alter the excess AC into DC for storage in a battery system. And they do all these in one box! No need to purchase separate inverters.

Battery Storage

The most significant benefit of hybrid inverters is their seamless integration with solar batteries. As alluded to before, you’d have to buy a separate inverter for your solar battery. But with a hybrid, you don’t need to do that.

You can hook up both your solar array and solar battery to a hybrid inverter. The inverter combines the function of two separate inverters into one. More importantly, you can convert AC into DC for battery storage.

Whenever you are producing more than you need, the excess energy flows back into the grid. Utility companies will pay you for the extra power. You get solar credits, tax exemptions, or other monetary incentives.

But when the grid goes out, there’s nothing to power your home. That’s why solar batteries are so important. They are essential in areas with intermittent power shutdowns. If you live in such a place, a hybrid inverter may become a necessity.

These hybrid inverters can take the excess AC and convert it to DC. The DC can then flow to your solar batteries. When the grid goes out, the solar battery can power your home. The hybrid inverter then converts the DC into AC.

But beyond battery backup, you can sell the stored energy for even more profit. There are many efficient battery systems available. With the extra money, you can meet your initial investment faster. After that period, you’ll be generating free cash and energy.

Fewer energy conversions

Hybrid inverters can also increase the overall efficiency of your home. When energy converts, you lose some of it as heat. You can’t use that heat energy to power any of your appliances. The more conversions, the more heat loss.

With a regular system, energy needs to convert more times. It converts when it passes through the solar inverter. Then it converts again through the battery inverter. Since these components have wires and materials that heat up, a lot of energy is lost.

A hybrid inverter can reduce that problem. Energy only needs to convert through this one device By reducing the number of conversions; a hybrid inverter can improve efficiency. The energy will convert fewer times, leading to less heat loss. That means you have more energy for your consumption or storage.

You can get the most out of your solar panels with a hybrid inverter. Every bit of energy is essential. That’s why it pays to have a more efficient system.

Reduced long term costs

Sure, a hybrid inverter may cost more upfront. But you’ll be saving a lot more in the long run. If you’re planning to use a solar battery, having a hybrid inverter can save money. It is easier to retrofit batteries to an existing hybrid inverter system.

Otherwise, you’d have to buy a separate inverter and start rewiring. You’ll also need a charge controller and a monitoring system. This entire process takes more time and human labor. You’ll end up spending more.

A hybrid inverter comes with both a charge controller and a monitoring system. This setup can reduce energy costs. The inverter can detect when grid electricity costs less. Then it can use energy from the grid, allowing the solar battery to top up. When grid electricity costs more, the inverter can convert energy from your solar batteries instead.

There’s more “power” on your hands too. Some hybrid inverters come with a mobile monitoring system. You can view your energy consumption on the fly. The added monitoring can help you make sensible decisions. You can turn off the heater when no one’s home, for example.

Another underrated benefit is the reduced complexity of maintenance. More components mean more working parts to fix. Having fewer components means reduced maintenance costs. If you run into problems later on, you can fix them much more quickly. Workers need to work with only one part instead of several.

Conclusion

Hybrid inverters are a fantastic piece of technology. With this one magic box, you can get so many benefits. You can use solar power AND store the excess for later use. You’ll end up saving more in the long run. The buyback period can come much faster. Sure, hybrid inverters might cost a lot upfront. But they are a worthwhile investment for the future.

Originally published at https://www.greenlightsolar.com.au on January 22, 2021.