Word Street Journal

Solar power systems are becoming increasingly common. You can probably see several homes on your own street that have rooftop solar panels. But did you know that your home can’t actually use the energy that a solar panel produces. This is because solar panels produce DC power, while most of the appliances, electronics, and lights in your home run on AC power. So, how is that DC power changed into AC electricity that your home can use? Keep reading to find out.

Solar Panels and DC Electricity

Solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity using photovoltaic cells; these are those little black squares you see all over the surface of solar panels. The electricity produced by these cells flows in a single direction and is called “direct current,” or DC electricity. While DC power can be stored in batteries, most homes and businesses need alternating current, or AC power to operate lights, appliances, and electronics.

The Role of the Inverter

This is where the inverter comes into place. An inverter takes the DC power made by your solar panels and changes it into AC electricity. How? The inverter achieves this change by rapidly switching the direction of the electrical current, creating a waveform. This waveform alternates direction (hence, alternating current) in the same way that the power supplied by your electrical grid does.

This conversion process involves 3 main steps:

1. DC to Pulsating DC: The inverter first uses electronic switches similar to transistors to create a pulsating DC current from the steady DC flow.
2. Wave Shaping: Electronics within the inverter then modify this pulsating DC into a smooth waveform (or sinusoidal waveform, to use the technical term) resembling the AC power your grid provides.
3. Synchronization: The inverter ensures that the AC power it produces is synchronized with your grid’s voltage and frequency for safety and efficiency, then delivers it to your home.

This whole process occurs almost instantaneously, providing you with a smooth, steady supply of energy for your home.

Types of Inverters

While all inverters perform this same job, it’s worth noting that there are several types of inverters on the market:

1. String Inverters: These centralized inverters convert DC power from multiple solar panels that are connected in a series. The process described above occurs in a single location for all the panels in your system.
2. Microinverters: These are installed on each panel, so the DC-to-AC conversion occurs at the panel level, rather than for the system as a whole.
3. Hybrid Inverters: These perform the same function as a traditional inverter, but with the added ability to manage battery storage. Batteries store DC power, so the conversion process also occurs when the inverter pulls from the energy stored in the batteries.

If you have more questions about how your Sol-Ark hybrid inverter converts DC to AC power, speak to a solar expert.