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Inverters
Shop string inverters, microinverters, and hybrid inverters from leading manufacturers. Wholesale pricing on grid-tie, off-grid, and battery-ready inverters for professional installers.
Solar Inverter Buying Guide for Installers
The inverter converts DC power from your solar array into AC power for the building or grid. Choosing the right inverter type affects system cost, performance under shading, battery compatibility, and long-term serviceability. Here is what to consider for each project type.
String Inverters
String inverters connect multiple panels in series to a single centralized unit and remain the most cost-effective option for straightforward installations. They work best on unshaded rooftops with a single orientation or on open ground-mount arrays. Modern string inverters reach 97–98 % peak efficiency and carry 10–12 year standard warranties, often extendable to 20–25 years. Because the entire string performs at the level of its weakest panel, shading on even one module can reduce output by 15–35 % across the string.
Microinverters
Microinverters mount behind each panel and convert DC to AC independently, eliminating the single-point-of-failure problem. Panel-level optimization means a shaded or underperforming module does not drag down the rest of the array — critical for complex roof layouts with dormers, vents, or multiple orientations. Most microinverters ship with 25-year warranties that match the panel lifespan. The trade-off is a higher upfront cost, typically 15–20 % more per watt than a string inverter, and AC-coupled battery integration that is 4–6 % less efficient than DC coupling.
Hybrid Inverters
Hybrid inverters combine solar inversion and battery management in one unit, making them the simplest path to solar-plus-storage. DC-coupled battery charging avoids the extra conversion step of AC coupling, preserving 4–6 % more energy. This is the right choice when the homeowner wants backup power or plans to add a battery within the next few years. Leading hybrid models support 200 % DC oversizing, 120/240 V split-phase output, and automatic grid-forming for whole-home backup during outages.
Sizing, Certifications & What to Check
Match the inverter's maximum DC input voltage and current to your string design — exceeding either voids the warranty and creates a safety hazard. Verify UL 1741 SA (or SB for grid-forming) listing, which is required by most utilities for interconnection approval. Check the CEC weighted efficiency rating (not just peak efficiency) for a realistic measure of field performance. For projects claiming the federal Investment Tax Credit, confirm the inverter qualifies under the domestic content bonus if applicable to your customer's installation.
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