An inverter is an equipment that converts direct current (batteries, accumulators, etc.) into alternating current. In the professional field, inverter only refers to a machine that can change direct current into alternating current. Rather, a converter that can change current from AC to DC is called rectifier. Inverter and rectifier are both machines that can change the nature of the current, so both are converters.
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At present, there are many different types of inverters in the photovoltaic industry. More often than not, the function of an inverter does not only include invert, but also rectification, regulation of voltage and frequency, etc.Therefore, the term "inverter" is often used commercially, different from the academic sense of inverter.
In the photovoltaic industry, inverters are mainly divided into PV inverters, off-grid inverters, on-grid/grid tie inverters and hybrid inverters.
Hybrid inverters can be understood as an integration of solar grid tie inverter and off-grid inverter,which transmit the solar photovoltaic energy and the additional energy from the batteries to the grid and recover the electricity from the grid when the energy generated by renewable energy sources is insufficient. In other words, these inverters can operate as off-grid inverters and as grid tied inverters depending on the situation of the load.
In addition, the hybrid inverter has integrated intelligent modules for energy management and data transmission, making it an electrical apparatus with a high level of technological sophistication. The hybrid inverter is the heart and brain of the entire energy storage system by connecting, monitoring and managing modules such as photovoltaic solar panels, solar controller, loads and the grid.
The function of the hybrid inverter varies depending on the load. As a rule, the user can set the hybrid inverter to give priority to energy from the mains, batteries or photovoltaics, and to charge the battery or power the load first, depending on the actual requirements.
So, here we have divided the operating modes of the solar hybrid inverters into the following three categories according to the equipment they are connected to.
Off-grid mode means that the inverter supplies its own power to the load without being influenced by the grid. If the solar energy provides enough power for the load, the excess power is stored in a battery. Otherwise, the battery and the solar panel supply the load at the same time.
On grid/grid tied mode means that in the entire photovoltaic system, only the PV and the grid can operate, and the battery cannot, in which case the hybrid inverter acts as an ordinary PV inverter. If the solar panels can generate enough electricity, they deliver it to the grid, and if not, they take it in from the grid.
In this mode, the inverter is connected to the grid, battery, solar panels and loads at the same time. In this mode, the inverter has the following three operating conditions:
If there is a problem with the grid or when the photovoltaic energy is sufficient for the operation of the load, its function will change to that of an off-grid inverter. In this case, the changeover switch disconnects the inverter from the grid.
As soon as the photovoltaic energy starts to generate additional energy, the operating mode changes from off-grid to on grid mode. The inverter will change the frequency and phase of the current and start to transmit the additional energy to the grid.
Even when there is no solar energy, the inverter can power loads via the grid or batteries.
During the valley period (when the electricity price is low), the utility power charges the battery through the inverter. During peak hours (when the electricity price is high), the inverter is fully power output, and the battery power is fed to the mains power under the condition of meeting the load demand, so as to achieve the purpose of selling electricity on the grid. It not only reduces the pressure on the mains, but also takes the economic benefits brought by the peak-valley price difference for users.
Many countries currently have policies in place to support solar photovoltaic and feed the grid, and users will receive subsidies. However, the prerequisite is that the inverter has the local safety certification and the user has to apply to the local national grid department first. For users in Unites States, PowMr's solar hybrid inverter “SunSmart 10K” is well worth considering.
When the grid fails, the inverter's grid tie mode stops working and automatically switches to off-grid mode, and solar power continues to provide power to the load, allowing you to have power available in case of emergency. The remaining photovoltaic energy can also be stored in batteries.
No matter what working mode, the system gives priority to the use of photovoltaic energy. When it is not enough, the power will be supplemented by mains or battery. If there is surplus electricity generated by photovoltaics, it will be stored in batteries or fed to the grid to maximize the use of photovoltaic power without wasting energy.
A hybrid inverter is an all-in-one inverter that incorporates both a solar and battery inverter in one simple unit. This enables storage of excess solar energy in a battery system for self-use. Hybrid inverters function like a common grid-tie solar inverter but can generally operate in one of several different modes, depending on the application. This includes battery backup mode, which provides a limited level of backup power in the event of a blackout. Most hybrid inverters can operate without a battery and function like a grid-tie solar inverter by exporting excess solar energy to the electricity grid.
Having all the key features for solar and battery storage in one simple plug-and-play inverter means hybrid inverters are generally much lower cost and easier to install compared to more complex off-grid inverter systems. However, they have several limitations and are generally not recommended for permanent off-grid installations.
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Hybrid inverters generally cost 30 to 40% more compared to the equivalent size solar inverters due to the increased complexity and additional components. However, they are cheaper and easier to install compared to dedicated off-grid inverters. For example, an average 5kW solar inverter costs around $, a 5kW hybrid inverter costs closer to $, and a standard 5kW off-grid inverter costs $. Additionally, for hybrid systems to provide backup power, most household switchboards need to be modified or upgraded, which adds to the total cost of installation.
3 to 5kW hybrid inverter price range = $ to $
6 to 10kW hybrid inverter price range = $ to $
7 to 10kW hybrid/off-grid inverters price = $ to $
Hybrid inverters are advanced inverters that can operate in different modes depending on household power consumption and backup power requirements. Much like regular solar (string) inverters, hybrid inverters convert solar DC power from strings of solar panels to AC (alternating current) power used to power your home. Any excess solar energy is then used to charge a connected battery system. To manage the power flow, hybrid inverters require an external energy meter (often called a CT meter) to measure the household power use and determine when excess power is available to charge the battery. The meter also provides load data so the inverter can discharge the battery to power the household loads when required.
Most hybrid inverters can be programmed to function in four different modes:
Grid-tie mode - Functions like a normal solar inverter (no battery)
Hybrid mode - Stores excess solar energy during the day to be used in the evening to increase self-sufficiency.
Backup mode - Functions like a normal solar inverter when the grid is connected and automatically switches to backup power mode during a grid outage
Off-grid mode* - Operates much like an off-grid inverter and uses excess solar to charge the battery and power the loads without a grid connection.
Only a select few hybrid inverters are designed for off-grid solar systems and have the features to start and run a backup power source, such as a generator if required. Hybrid inverters with off-grid mode include Ingeteam and Deye (Sol-Ark). Hybrid inverters are affordable for average households who want to be more self-sufficient using solar and batteries but don't intend to disconnect from the grid or experience frequent blackouts. Refer to our complete hybrid and batter comparison charts for a direct comparison of hybrid inverters and battery storage systems.
Basic hybrid inverter for solar storage
Hybrid inverter for solar storage and backup power
Battery energy storage systems (BESS)
Some hybrid inverters do not have backup power capability as standard and require additional (optional) backup boxes and equipment in order to provide backup power in the event of a blackout. BESS systems are essentially a hybrid inverter with an inbuilt lithium battery in one complete package, usually about the size of a fridge. However, like most appliances, there are many features and capabilities that differentiate the wide variety of BESS systems available. See our detailed BESS comparison chart for more information.
To function as a backup power supply, a hybrid inverter must be able to isolate from the grid during a blackout and use battery power to back up any household essential circuits**. Most modern hybrid inverters have the ‘grid isolation’ feature built-in, but some hybrid inverters do not; this means they cannot operate in either backup or off-grid mode. However, often, an additional backup box or EPS (emergency power supply) is available to enable this feature. If grid stability is not an issue, then this simple type of hybrid inverter would be a good economical choice.
More advanced hybrid inverters can operate in backup mode indefinitely and even function completely off-grid, providing the loads are manageable, and there is adequate sunlight all year round. However, dedicated off-grid inverters and high-capacity batteries are recommended for off-grid solar systems due to the high continuous and surge power rating required to run a whole house completely off-grid.
**Essential circuits are basic load circuits that can be easily backed up during a blackout. This includes simple things like lights, fridges, TV's and computers. To back up an entire house generally requires a more powerful AC or DC-coupled multi-mode inverter or an off-grid system.
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