Solar power systems are easy to install, operate, and maintain, whereas power utility bills are getting very expensive. Therefore, many consumers are installing hybrid or off-grid solar power systems depending on their needs. Solar inverters are a fundamental part of setting up a solar power system as it converts DC power produced from solar panels to AC power. Again, solar inverters have options of hybrid inverter and off-grid inverter described as follows.
What Is Hybrid Solar Inverter and Off-Grid Solar Inverter Exactly?
The hybrid solar inverter is an intelligent power converting machine that works between solar panels, utility grid, and storage system (batteries). As its name suggests, the hybrid solar inverter simultaneously accommodates grid connectivity, battery storage, and solar panel array. This little amazing gadget can reduce your utility power bills and offer you multiple options for power in case of an emergency. With built-in charge controllers for providing constant charging power to batteries, as well as a high-power bi-directional converter, the hybrid solar inverter not only inverts the battery’s DC power into AC power for loading, but also converts the AC power of the grid into DC to charge batteries.
The off-grid inverter, on the contrary, only converts power from DC to AC without synchronizing power to grid levels. Given such characteristic, off-grid inverter solar power systems are often installed in rural areas with no connectivity to a power distribution network. In some cases, the consumers would create off-grid solar power systems themselves, depending on their power requirements. These off-grid solar power systems require off-grid solar inverters, which have only one power source from solar panel arrays and a high load. Off-grid solar inverters regulate incoming DC power into batteries and convert DC stored power into AC for the load. You don’t need to worry about utility power bills once you install an off-grid solar inverter.
Hybrid Solar Inverter Strengths
The Hybrid solar inverters have capabilities to manage a small power system between storage and multiple power supplies., but the benefits are more than this:
- Expandable:
The hybrid solar inverter is expandable, which means you are free to customize the capacity of your own hybrid systems, with more compatible panels or batteries, just the way you like.
- Less Grid Electricity Consumed
As previously mentioned, the hybrid solar inverter is self-supply. The bi-directional converter inside the hybrid solar inverter allows it to convert the AC power of the grid into DC to charge batteries for itself.
- Lower Cost
In the short term, with less power consumption, your lowered electricity bill comes naturally. In the long term, it is designed to be sustainable. Take Sako hybrid solar inverter for example. Sunpolo 8KW Hybrid Solar Inverter is equipped with MPPT charge controllers that maintain input power to batteries, which charges fast and makes it durable. Moreover, with various communicational options for direct or wireless connectivity to any device (for maintenance and regular updates), this hybrid inverter is well capable of adding power to the grid through a net metering system. Also, its LED touch screen shows power system status for your input and review, always placing customers’ experience in the first rank. It is safe to say that this 8kW hybrid inverter is enough to manage an average household.
Off-Grid Solar Inverter Strengths
Off-grid solar power systems are the choice of people that wish to live completely independent of energy bills and are environmentally conscious, as such are its edges over other inverters.
- Complete Energy Independence
The off-grid solar inverter is a perfect alternative for rural areas that have abundant sunlight throughout the year. Installation of solar inverters is a fundamental installation step for a solar power system, and off-grid solar inverters are much easier to install and inexpensive than hybrid inverters.
- More Eco-friendly and Sustainable
The off-grid solar inverter is easily an eco-friendly and sustainable home energy facilitation. Without the grid, the entire power system will not generate water pollution and greenhouse gases.
Conclusion
Utility power bills are rising, and energy is becoming expensive. Solar power systems are a hope of relief for people who are ready to pay an upfront cost but want to reduce their monthly bills. Both the hybrid solar inverter and off-grid solar invert has their respective pros, and potentially, cons. Which is better? The answer depends on your actual situations and personal needs. If you live in an area with a distribution network and grid connectivity, then hybrid solar inverters are the better option. If you want a complete, easily installed and environmentally friendly one, look no further than the off-grid solar inverter.
