Eco Factor: Micro-inverters for individual solar panels increase solar output and decrease energy cost.
Conventionally solar panels mounted on any rooftop and connected together in series and their combined DC output is fed into an inverter which converts DC power from the panels into AC power for use in a household. However, since the panels are connected together, any decrease in the output of even a single panel, which could be due to a bird sitting on top of the panel or due to a leaf blowing, shows its results in the overall output of the combined system. Enphase Energy, a startup from Petaluma, CA, has developed a new micro-inverter system that increases the output of solar energy and keeps the cost minimal.
The company solves the problem of an overall output decrease by installing unique micro-inverters for each panel. These devices convert the output of each panel and the collective AV output is then fed into the home’s mains. Thus if any panel is in shade, only its output decreases without having any effect on the collective output of the system. The company claims that the devices will increase a PV system’s efficiency by 5 to 25 percent and decrease the cost of solar power. The company has raised more than $20 million in its latest round of funding and has also teamed with solar module manufacturers to bring their micro-inverter to your rooftop soon.
Via: TechnologyReview
