Do solar panels need a power inverter?

Houses are wired to operate on alternating current (AC) power. Every photovoltaic solar energy system for use with household electricity requires a way to transform the direct current (DC) energy created by the solar panels to AC power. The power inverter your home’s solar energy array requires will depend on several factors.

Is a solar inverter a charge controller?

A solar inverter isn’t a charge controller. A charge controller manages electrical input and distributes it to batteries or the electrical system. They’re integral to solar energy storage systems in addition to inverters. A solar inverter is essential for your solar panel system to convert DC electricity into AC electricity for everyday use.

What is a solar power inverter?

A solar power inverter’s primary purpose is to transform the DC (direct current) electricity generated by solar panels into usable AC (alternating current) electricity for your home. Because of this, you can also think of a solar inverter as a solar “converter.”

How does a solar inverter work?

Solar panels harvest photons from sunlight using the photovoltaic effect and produce direct current (DC) electricity. However, your home operates using alternating current (AC or “household”) electricity. A solar inverter converts DC to AC electricity. Depending on your system, a storage inverter or power optimizer may also be required.

Does a solar inverter work with AC?

Your solar panels create DC electricity, but your house runs on AC electricity. It's the inverter's job to convert the DC electricity from your solar panels into AC electricity that your appliances can use. Can any inverter work with solar?

What is the purpose of connecting solar panels to an inverter?

The main purpose of connecting solar panels to an inverter is to convert the direct current (DC) electricity produced by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used to power household appliances and be fed into the electrical grid.