Inverters

Inverters are used in any electric system where AC power output is needed. You are already familiar with AC power: it is the power in your house when you plug something into the wall. The inverter's job in a renewable energy system is to convert the DC electricity, such as from a battery bank, to AC electricity that can be used with typical household appliances. Solar panels also produce DC electricity. Inverters are used in homes, business, RVs and boats. Off-Grid: (No Utility-Needs Batteries) inverters are common in solar electric, wind electric and hydro electric applications. Keep in mind that most wind turbines and small hydro electric turbines require a battery based system. Solar electric (or PV) systems can operate with or without batteries. Since each inverter needs proper disconnects on the AC and DC side, often people choose one of our self contained Power Panels. By mounting one or two inverters on a power panel, that is wired with the appropriate disconnects, you have yourself a neat and safe inverter system.

Sizing an off grid inverter (that needs batteries) is relatively straight forward. It must be large enough to handle the total amount of watts you will be using at one time. Start by listing all of the appliances, etc that you use and their wattages in our Load Calculator. This form will display the number of watt hours you use in a day. In order to properly size an inverter, consider which of those loads you will be using simultaneously and add up their wattages only. For example, if you will be using the 1500 watt microwave at the same time you will be running 100 watts of lighting and also running a refrigerator that will draw 500 watts of instantaneous power, you will need an inverter that can handle at least 2100 watts (1500 + 100 + 500). Once you have identified a minimum wattage, you will select an inverter that has the same nominal voltage as your battery bank (12, 24, or 48 VDC).