So, wouldn’t it make financial sense to take some time and consider the lifespan of a solar inverter before investing?
Of course, it would. As opposed to solar panels, the standard warranty on a solar inverter lasts for up to 10 years.
But these devices are also more susceptible to damage due to the number of electrical components exposing them to heating issues.
Not only does Replacing Solar Inverter get too costly but repairs can also get far too expensive at times. Thus, in order to get returns and manage the expenses, you need to take proper care of your inverter.
However, the lifespan of a solar inverter will depend on how you maintain it over the years.
How Can You Extend the Lifespan of a Solar Inverter?
Installing a Quality Solar Inverter can alone reduce the chances of recurring expenses. However, like any other electrical appliance, solar inverters are also exposed to certain risk factors.
Considering these are one of the hardest working components of a Solar System Installation, efficiency issues are not uncommon to crop up.
Below we detail some easy measures you can take to maintain the longevity and performance of your inverter.
#1. Location of Installation
You can choose to install an inverter either inside or outside the home. The key considerations should be your preference and the amount of flexibility you want in terms of placement.
While indoor inverters will probably cost you less, outdoor inverters are built to withstand weather conditions.
Outdoor inverters also offer more options to homeowners in terms of installation. That’s probably because you can install them in a garage or on the side of a house.
However, the best course is to install Solar Power Inverters somewhere in the shade out of direct sunlight.
An inverter tends to get heated pretty quickly and exposure to high temperatures for long periods of time can cause damage. Plus, while inverters usually have cooling fans to fend off the heat, it’s advisable to install them in a well-ventilated area.
Not to mention, you must protect the inverter from rain and water as dampness can cause performance degradation. So, basically the best place would be a ventilated location protected from heat and rain.
#2. Inspect It on a Regular Basis
Your work doesn’t just stop with the Solar Inverter Installation. Rather, the upkeep and maintenance play a crucial role in extending the lifespan of a solar inverter.
The first thing you should do is inspect the inverter every 2-3 months. This will help single out any risks before it becomes a bigger issue and cost you a fortune.
Moreover, also look out for any water damage or build-up of dust in the area where you’ve installed your inverters.
Of course, special care is needed in the case of outdoor inverters as they are more exposed to environmental conditions and dust particles.
Dust and dirt may clog electrical components and cooling fins as well. Thus, it’s important that you keep the inverter in a good condition and in a clutter-free space to allow airflow.
In most cases, inverters from leading Solar Inverter Brands are less likely to fail before their lifetime. Still, if you suspect any damage during inspections, it’s better to call in a solar provider to avoid any safety risk to your home.
#3. Overload the Inverter for Maximum Efficiency
Solar inverters work most efficiently and offer the maximum output when the PV array is oversized in comparison to the inverter’s rated output capacity.
Thus, you are better off installing a solar panel module whose DC array size is larger than the AC rating of your inverter. In such a scenario, your panels simply have the ability to generate more electricity than the inverter’s output capacity.
We already know solar panels rarely perform at their rated capacity and the real-life power generation usually differs from the STC conditions.
So, by oversizing a PV array, you can make up for this loss and better match the DC output to the inverter’s AC capacity.
Another advantage of doing this is when you do have to replace your inverter, you can install the one with a lower AC output power. This will automatically reduce the Inverter Replacement Costs.
However, never exceed the inverter’s critical input limits. Solar inverters perform the best when input power is around 90% of the inverter’s rated power.
#4. Keep an Eye Out for Warning Signs
Inverters usually give out alerts when they are not functioning properly.
The most common sign you can look out for is issues with lighting. Almost all the solar inverters come with lights that show the current state of its working.
Hence, there could be issues with the electrical connections in case your inverter is not flashing any light during a sunny day. It’s best to contact a professional if your inverter stops working suddenly.
Sudden interruptions in the power supply is never a good sign and could indicate an error or a failure. Further, any issues with a solar inverter can easily become a safety risk for your home as well.
Inspection by an expert will help you determine if you require a replacement or the damage is insignificant. In the case of the former, do check your warranty and see if it can cover the Solar Inverter Cost for replacements.
Taking these steps will assist you in maximizing the inverter’s performance, output efficiency, and, by extension, its lifespan.
However, optimizing the lifespan of a solar inverter is not just limited to these factors. You should also account for other things, such as batteries and the type of inverter you select.
We have prepared an FAQ section to address some of these queries for further clarification.
Solar Inverter FAQs
When investing in an inverter, you cannot risk misinformation. Have a look at the answers to some of the most common queries we receive from our readers.
#1. What Type of Solar Inverter Should I Choose?
The kind of solar inverter you select will depend on what you’re comfortable with. Each type has its own pros and cons.
The most common Solar Inverter Types installed by solar users include:
- String inverters: Best for those with an unshaded roof and who are looking for a low-cost option. The downside is the effect on the energy production of the entire array even if a single panel is shaded.
- Microinverters: Best for those with smaller roofs or roofs with shading issues. It allows for panel-level optimization of energy output but is an expensive investment.
- Power optimizers: Best for those who can invest some money to mitigate the impact of panel shading on energy efficiency. While it costs less than microinverters, power optimizers are tough to maintain.
For more information, you can always get in touch with our certified experts who will help you make the best choice based on your property and budget.
#2. How Do I Select the Best Solar Inverters?
Frankly, there is no one-way answer to this. The best choice for you may not be the best for someone else. In order to make a sensible investment, you likely have to go through the specifications and compare them with your needs.
The size of your Solar System NSW will also factor in here. Not to mention, evaluating the warranty scheme of the inverter is also important.
Among the best brands available in Australia, we recommend ABB, SMA, and Fronius Solar Inverter.
#3. What Are Some of the Signs of Inverter Malfunction?
As we already mentioned, most solar inverters have lights indicating if there is any fault. You should be concerned in case the inverter is flashing no light or if it is flashing red/orange/yellow light.
No color means there is no sunlight on the panels. On a bright sunny day, this could indicate an underlying issue. In other cases, red/orange/yellow means an error in the inverter.
However, when the inverter is flashing green light, you’ve got nothing to worry about.
#4. Are Solar Inverters Waterproof?
While outside solar inverters are made to be weather resistant, we don’t recommend you to expose them to rain and storms.
Inverters are electrical units and a lightning storm can badly damage it and can create a safety risk for you. Moreover, water can also damage the electrical components of an inverter reducing its lifespan.
#5. Is There Something Else I Should Know About Solar Inverter Maintenance?
Yes!
The lifespan of a solar inverter also has to do with the battery. From the kind of battery you select to its inspection, everything will affect the solar inverter’s efficiency.
Remember to replace a dead battery instead of reviving it as it is not a permanent fix.
When a battery is dead, it is best to just replace it with a new one. Not doing so can affect the power output and, eventually, the whole house that is harnessing energy from the inverter.
This was all about how you can extend lifespan of solar inverter.
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